Library Guides: Iowa-Related Resources: Business and industry

Iowa-based Company Histories

50 Years of Disruptive Innovation : 50 years Kinze 1965-2015 by Jon Kinzenbaw
Call Number: HD9486 U63 K56x 2015
The story of how an Iowa farmer-inventor fought the industry giants and created one of the largest private farm equipment manufacturers in the world
After-School Cooking by Meredith Corporation
Call Number: PZ154 Af89
Publication Date: 1987

The Family of Hy-Vee: sixty years of tradition, a history of Hy-Vee food stores
Call Number: HD9321.9 H98 F75x 1989
Grinnell's Entrepreneurial and Philanthropic Pioneer: A Biography of Claude W. Ahrens by Judith W. Hunter
Call Number: F625.42 H86x 2009
A biography of Claude W. Ahrens, Iowa entrepreneur and philanthropist who was a pioneer in the fields of agricultural and playground equipment manufacturing. As founder and owner of Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, Claude was also an instrumental advocate for the national parks and recreation field.
In Search of a Better Way : the lives and legacies of Gary and Matilda Vermeer by Carol Van Klompenburg; Dona Biddle
Call Number: TS140 V47 V36x 2008
In Search of A Better Way is more than the remarkable story of an inventor, it is also the story of Gary and his wife, Matilda, who together raised three children, traveled the world, and generously donated to causes that benefited their hometown of Pella, Iowa, and religious and educational institutions over the world.

Maytag Blue Cheese History
First produced in 1941 by Frederick L Maytag II on Maytag Dairy Farms in conjunction with microbiologists at Iowa State University.
History of Maytag in Newton Iowa
Timeline from Maytag Archive.

Yesterday, today, tomorrow ; the story of the Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa.
Call Number: TT999 M451y
47 pages, published in 1945.

Meredith Corporation (Des Moines, IA)
From Wikipedia. Great timeline of company history and publications, including Successful Farming and Better Homes & Gardens product lines.
Sukup Manufacturing Company History
Sukup, a large grain storage bin manufacturing company, with products being sold in 82 countries across the world, was founded and has its head office in Sheffield Iowa.

View to the Future: 75 years of people and progress at Pella Corporation by Peter H. Kuyper; Pella Corporation
Call Number: HD9715.9 W554 P45x 2000

Winnebago Company History
From Wikipedia. Originally headquartered in Winnebago County, Iowa, Winnebago has been a pioneer in the RV and travel trailer industry since it was founded by John K. Hanson in 1958.

The Book of Iowa: From Iowa's Industrial Survey by Anson Marston; Frank D. Paine (compilers)
Call Number: F621 B644
Publication Date: 1932
A survey of the industrial resources of the state that covers: population, health, climate, manufacturing, agriculture, natural resources, utilities, transportation, corporation laws, labor, banking and insurance, educational opportunities, recreational facilities, and urban statistics.
Harris Directory of Iowa Manufacturers
Call Number: T12 Io9d11 (Tier 6)
Publication Date: 2018
Quick way to browse by geographical area or industry type in Iowa and find more details about a manufacturing company.
Learning About Local: a resource guide to Iowa organizations and programs supporting local and regional food systems by Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Publication Date: 2011