The Made in Iowa podcast celebrates the people, products and power behind Iowa’s manufacturing economy. Each episode brings together the state’s most innovative makers, manufacturers and business leaders to share their stories, strategies and visions for the future. From factory floors to classrooms, Made in Iowa honors our makers, elevates their stories and powers the future of Iowa’s largest industry.
E45 | Processes Don’t Fix Companies, People Do: Craig Shafer on Scaling Stellar Industries | Made In Iowa
Craig Shafer’s path to becoming chief operating officer of Stellar Industries began before the position was ever discussed. While working with CEO David Zrostlik to address several people-related challenges, Craig demonstrated an ability to understand both the business and the human dynamics behind it. Dave recognized that Craig was the right person to serve as his number two. Rather than uproot his family from Charlotte, where they have deep roots, Craig committed to commuting to Iowa and helping lead Stellar through its next chapter.
That chapter arrived during a period of sudden growth. As Stellar hired experienced leaders from larger multinational companies, the organization reached an important cultural crossroads. Could it adopt the structure needed to scale without becoming “one of the big guys” and losing its close relationships with employees and customers? Craig shares how Stellar is intentionally evolving while protecting the culture that made its success possible. The company remains anchored in a simple but powerful belief: processes don’t fix companies; people do.
Presenting sponsor: Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://wellmark.com/Made-in-Iowa
24 Sept 2026
E44 | Sukup Manufacturing Innovating for the Next Generation | Made In Iowa
Sukup Manufacturing is proving that innovation can thrive in rural Iowa. In this episode of Made In Iowa, Leisa Fox sits down with Emily Schmitt, chief administrative officer, general counsel and third-generation member of the Sukup family, to talk about the company’s history, culture and vision for the future.
From robotics and automation to child care, health care, engineering and software, Sukup has taken a unique approach to growing a global manufacturing company while keeping Sheffield, Iowa, at the center of its operation.
Emily explains how Sukup competes for talent in rural Iowa, why the company invested in a child care center and on-site health clinic, and how automation has helped the company expand rather than eliminate jobs.
The conversation also explores Sukup’s Sync technology, its expansion into Ames, the acquisition of Ramco, international growth and the company’s focus on building for the next generation.
Plus, Emily shares the story behind the Sukup Safe T Home, a remarkable example of how an idea born from the company’s manufacturing expertise has helped provide shelter in disaster-prone areas around the world.
Presenting sponsor: Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa
17 Sept 2026
E43 | Sheldon Speers on Operational Technology Security | Made In Iowa
Manufacturing is now the most-hacked industry, and the risks extend far beyond office computers. Leisa Fox talks with Sheldon Speers, president and founder of Tenax Solutions, about protecting operational technology, or OT, including the systems and equipment that keep production lines running. With 61 percent of attacks involving a third party such as a vendor, supplier or service provider, manufacturers must consider the security of every organization connected to their operations. Cyber insurance companies are also requiring stronger protections, but as Sheldon explains, cybersecurity is more than a compliance exercise. It is simply the right thing to do to protect employees, customers, production and the future of the business.
Artificial intelligence is making cyberattacks faster and easier to execute, giving criminals the ability to identify and exploit vulnerabilities at unprecedented speed. That makes regular patching, system monitoring and advance planning more critical than ever. Sheldon examines the ransomware attack on Asahi Group, which disrupted production and contributed to an estimated $61 million loss, as a powerful example of how a technology failure can quickly become an operational and financial crisis. This conversation gives Iowa manufacturers a clear message: protecting operational technology is essential to keeping production moving and the business resilient.
Presenting sponsor: Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa
Inside a recent episode
Made In Iowa: The Science (and Business) of Making Systems Work
Published 23 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So we've gotten lucky with that. The challenge from that point is taking the knowledge that they've gained through academia and turning it into field knowledge. So we have the other side of guys who love to work on cars, love to use their hands. And we take those guys and get them the technical side to match with their skill set of being able to work in the field. So between the two, we do some training at our office. We built an office that has a commercial system in it that allows us to do all the training on water systems and air systems and then uh working with uh another company down houston now has a complete facility that we'll send some guys to but most of it is on the job training uh pairing a younger tech up with a older tech more experienced tech and having them work together and selling something like a report, because at the end of the day, the product that you're providing your customers is a, an excruciatingly detailed report of how that system is functioning. […]
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