Western Iowa Manufacturing Month Spotlight: VT Industries
September 20, 2022
October is Manufacturing Month, the perfect time to spotlight one of Western Iowa’s manufacturing stalwarts, VT Industries, Inc. VT has manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada, but its heartbeat is headquartered in Holstein, Iowa. While there is no doubting innovation keeps VT Industries at the leading edge of countertop, vanity surface, and architectural wood door fabrication, it’s their commitment to personal relationships and customer service that has maintained its longevity as a manufacturing powerhouse. Founded in 1956 in Holstein by hometown entrepreneur, Roger Clausen, this company has been focusing on people first for three generations.
“As a family-owned and operated business, we lead with a servant leadership approach,” said Ann Duebner, Vice President of Corporate Human Resources, VT Industries, Inc. “This allows our leaders to focus on ways they can serve their teams rather than how their teams can serve them. It allows us to drive engagement in every interaction with our teams and focus on growth and development rather than having a single focus on output. We believe this makes VT a great place to work because we really get to know our teams and want them to succeed and grow, both personally and in their career paths.”
In Holstein, VT manufactures its Heritage collection flush architectural wood doors for commercial applications such as hospitals, schools, hotels, and more. It employs about 700 people, including both production employees and corporate employees.
Sac City, Iowa, is home to one of VT’s five countertop manufacturing facilities, employing about 100 employees, including both production and countertop customer service teams. At this facility, Dimensions Laminate countertops are manufactured, and distribution is provided for their CenterPointe wood products and Stretta countertops.
“Over the years, as the company has grown, we’ve been rooted in Holstein, and that has allowed us to grow the business with a strong, dedicated, stable workforce,” said Duebner. “Northwest Iowa has a strong manufacturing presence and skilled workforce, so we have benefited in that way. We’re also centrally located in the U.S. and have easy access to major shipping routes since the completion of Highway 20, and that continues to be important for us as we ship products all over the country.”
VT Industries had a hand in the $5 billion SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, home to two NFL teams since 2020: Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams.
“The SoFi Stadium project is just one of many examples of our commitment to providing quality building products and the unparalleled service our Commercial Division provides,” said Duebner. “As you know, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles hosted the 2022 Super Bowl. This project was several years in the making, so we are thrilled that the surfaces the commercial team fabricated and installed were on display at such a high-profile event and will be enjoyed for years to come. VT has also provided product to several other professional sports venues, including Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri, Target Field in Minnesota, and many other high-profile hotels, health care facilities, and civic venues throughout the United States.”
VT Industries has a dedication to helping their employees and their families achieve. Earlier this year, VT and Buena Vista University entered a strategic partnership to offer grant funding for VT employees and their children to help reduce the cost of post-secondary education at BVU’s Storm Lake campus.
“We also partner with Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) in Sioux City for a 260E grant that allows us to provide ongoing education and training for our employees,” said Duebner. “Our President and CEO, Doug Clausen, has always advocated for education. We are excited about this partnership because it is a great opportunity for our employees to advance their education and careers. We recognize our team members are the foundation for VT’s future success, and we want to help them open the door to as many educational opportunities and experiences as possible.”
“Doug Clausen is a passionate advocate for education, and through the Clausen Family Scholarship Foundation provides additional academic assistance, issuing two scholarships annually that are renewable for a second year for our employees and their children,” said Duebner. “Doug and his wife, Joanie, also created the Clausen Family Education for Service scholarship that provides a full-tuition award for first-generation college students based on their academic and service-based achievements at Buena Vista University.”
VT also gives back to the communities in which they are located. “For example, in Holstein, VT supports a local taxi service that shuttles children and the elderly to and from pre-school or doctors’ appointments,” said Duebner. “VT also supports the arts through the Rosemary Clausen Performing Arts Center in Holstein and contributes to local little league teams, youth organizations, and other civic groups in each of the 15 locations where we operate.”
Your next career could be with VT. “We are always looking for great people to join our team,” said Duebner. “We’re an Iowa-based company but offer employment opportunities all across the United States and Canada. We offer a variety of positions, including corporate career paths, in addition to our production opportunities.”
“VT’s facility in Holstein has put a special emphasis on becoming a bi-lingual employer of choice for English and Spanish speaking team members and has updated equipment and process documentation to include both English and Spanish. The company is also an advocate of work-life balance for our team members and has instituted programs to support a better work-life balance for all our team members.”
“Western Iowa Advantage — It’s Easier Here!”
Western Iowa, with its committed workforce, strong sense of community, and quality of life, should be high on the list for companies looking to grow and improve. Contact Western Iowa Advantage to learn more about the region, workforce, and available sites. Follow WIAD on Facebook and LinkedIn!
