The Sky is the Limit
Fairfield manufacturer is one-of-a-kind worldwide
Advanced Manufacturing
Where Manufacturing Keeps Advancing
Advanced Manufacturing: Iowa's Largest Industry
Iowa knows how to make it happen (and how to make just about anything). Food products, medical devices, construction machinery or aerospace electronics, our advanced manufacturing industry brings Iowa innovation to the world. As the state’s largest industry, it accounts for 17% of our GDP, contributing $35 billion annually to the state’s economy. And we’re a recognized national leader too – Iowa consistently ranks among the top 5 states in percentage of manufacturing GDP.
Iowa is perfectly positioned to export products around the globe, connected through a robust transportation network with access to air, water, rail and highway. In addition, Iowa’s skilled talent pool and state-of-the-art training and research programs at our colleges and universities offer a wealth of workforce resources. Manufacturers are in good hands here – companies can find a network of resource providers with the expertise, collaboration and support to remain on the industry’s leading edge.
Manufacturing 4.0:
Iowa embraces the technology revolution
Iowa is committed to helping manufacturers adapt to the landscape formed by the fourth industrial revolution - Industry 4.0 - and its emphasis on smart technology, data-driven operations and process automation. The state is making investments in manufacturers of all sizes to ensure the industry adopts innovative technologies to increase productivity, compete for talent and encourage ongoing globalization.
Iowa launched an industry-led Manufacturing 4.0 initiative in 2020 to strengthen the industry’s momentum and maintain a competitive edge. As a result, a strategic plan was created that offers a roadmap to accelerate the growth of Iowa's manufacturing ecosystem through the adoption and utilization of Industry 4.0 technologies.
IOWA LEADS IN
Iowa has the highest
concentration of machinery manufacturing employees in the U.S.
Ag & Construction EquipmentAdvanced Manufacturing in Iowa
Innovation at Agri-Industrial Plastics
Fairfield, Iowa is Home to State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility
AIP Founder Dick Smith and President Lori Schaefer-Weaton
It would be fitting if giant welcome mats were at each entrance of the 340,000-square-foot Agri-Industrial Plastics Company (AIP) facility in Fairfield.
“We love opening our doors and letting people see who we are, what we do and how we do it,” said President Lori Schaefer-Weaton. “We are always willing to give tours and hope that long term, it may change any misconceptions about our company, working in manufacturing and Iowa’s impact on the industry.”
Most recently, AIP launched Iowa's first solar and Tesla Powerpack project to control energy cost. Using technology designed by another Iowa-based firm, the company now incorporates solar and energy storage to become more energy efficient. It does this using a roof-mounted solar array working in tandem with a Tesla battery energy storage system.