Own a business that can solve problems

“Seeing raw materials turn into nice, finished products, I’ve always enjoyed manufacturing. By the sixth grade, says Steve Sukup, President/CEO of Sukup Mfg Co., I could weld and run a torch. My father, brother, and I all got our start in this industry together. Growing up around it all, I am an innovator and problem solver with an entrepreneurial spirit.”

Sukup is the largest family-owned business in the world. It makes equipment for storing, drying, and moving grain. Steve continues, "There are three generations here, including my mom, Mary, my son, Nick Sukup, as the production manager; my daughter, Emily Schmitt, as the chief administrative officer and general counsel, and my sons-in-law, Matt Koch, CMO and Andy Schmitt, who oversees capital projects and infrastructure."

For Steve, his family-owned business allows him to stay close to and understand customer needs while also providing innovative solutions. He loves to say that giving back is ingrained at Sukup and they are very active in their local community of Sheffield, Iowa. On an international level, we designed the Sukup Safe T Home®, a hurricane-proof shelter which can withstand up to a Category 4 hurricane. 300 of them are in Haiti right now, says Steve.

Over the years, Sukup has developed a reputation for manufacturing the highest quality products. “We developed new products, entered new markets, and it’s worked. A company has to control its own destiny by taking the initiative to do something new and different. I believe developing new products is like playing baseball. You get a few hits and a few misses—but we’ve got a great workforce to help us take those swings, and our priority is to continually outperform our big corporate competitors," adds Steve.

Steve considers their employees are on the lookout for ways to make their products better in terms of safety, ease of on-site construction and operation, and profitability. “We hold more than 80 patents. Sukup dryers and control systems have won nine ag innovation and won 26 ag engineering innovation awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), including 20 since 2011. Those products include the industry-leading Mixed-Flow Grain Dryer, introduced in 2016,” adds Steve.

Larger bins and material handling equipment such as bucket elevators, conveyors, and grain dryers are the trend in recent years. Increased grain output, the rise of the ethanol industry, and grain prices have led merchants to stockpile more grain to take advantage of price variations. Steve says they've supplied ethanol plants with large-scale equipment for commercial operations.  It is an important market opportunity for their farmers.

The company’s dealers and farmers were asking for a "one-stop shop" for their grain storage and handling. In 2001, Sukup began manufacturing the grain bins themselves. “While other companies were getting out of bin manufacturing, we listened to customers. We have grown our company ten times in the last twenty years. Sukup quickly gained market share and was among the top three grain bin companies by sales volume within a few years. We believe our commitment to excellence, as well as innovative design with multiple patented features, has been the key to success. 80% of the products we’re making now are new since 2000.”

The invention of the Superwave® is the biggest sales growth product for Sukup currently. Additionally, they’ve designed and manufactured the largest free-span grain bin in the world, which holds just under 2 million bushels. “Our bins are known for being easy to set up. They have innovative sidewall splice plates and double-ended stud bolts that keep moisture out.”

The main production facility is located in Sheffield, Iowa, where Steve’s father Eugene and mother Mary founded the company in 1963. There are six other centers around the United States. The company currently employs more than 600 people and uses advanced equipment like laser and plasma metal-cutting machines, robotic welding machines, plus benders, saws, drills, and routers. Sukup Manufacturing Co. covers a million square feet of manufacturing, warehouse, and office space.

Sukup currently has products in 85 countries and has a presence in Europe and Asia, so import and export issues have an impact. The company will continue to navigate the current economic situation and knows the importance of the people they serve.

According to Steve, "We love farmers and farming."