May Ames Business Monthly 2017

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AB AMES BUSINESS

MONTHLY M A Y 2017

May Chamber Update

AMERICAN PACKAGING CORPORATION MAKES USE OF EXPANDED FACILITY SEE PAGE 20

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2 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | MAY 2017

AMES BUSINESS

2 Younkers introduces local products to North Grand location 3 NewLink announces positive trial results at national meeting 4 Celebrating airport improvements 6 Maxwell’s Sugar Shack is a sweet and syrupy place 7 May Chamber Update

MONTHLY M AY 2017

19 Cafe Diem honored as Outstanding Business with statewide award 19 Blaze sees major turnout for free pizza day 20 American Packaging Corproation makes use of expanded facility

Vol. 10, No. 5

22 Jethro’s confirms expansion to Ames

AMES TRIBUNE Ames Business Monthly is a publication of the Ames Tribune, 317 Fifth St., Ames, IA, 50010; (515) 232-2160.

22 Richard Brimeyer 23 Andra Reason

CLOTHING

Younkers introduces local products to North Grand location By Dan Mika

Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com

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ounkers has launched a section of locally made products in its North Grand Mall location as part of a nationwide expansion of a program to feature small artisans in their shops. The “Close to Home” section in the store, which feature shirts, coasters, wall art and soap, sources its products from four vendors in Des Moines, Rock Rapids and Cedar Rapids. The vendors are also selling their products at Younkers locations at Merle Hay, Jordan Creek and Valley West malls in the Des Moines metro. The section debuted earlier this year at North Grand Mall, Younkers store manager Greg Kruse said. He said sales from the

section are doing well, particularly the coasters and shirts saying, “Locally Grown” in an outline of Iowa on its front. “Customers love to see this piece of it,” he said. “It lets (local businesses) broaden their customer base.” “Close to Home” sections began appearing in Younkers and other stores owned by retail firm Bon-Ton in 45 locations across eight states last fall. The company is planning to add sections to more than 100 stores in 25 states through 2017. Michelle Leuthold, co-owner of decor company Simply Said in Rock Rapids, said Younkers approached her about becoming a supplier after seeing some of her work in a different store. She said the department store originally purchased about 5,000 units from her and have since placed multiple

“Close to Home” products in the North Grand Mall Younkers. Bon-Ton, the retail firm that owns Younkers and several other retail brands, began rolling out the section selling products from local artisans last year. PHOTO BY DAN MIKA/ AMES TRIBUNE

reorders since last fall. Leuthold said sales from the store have been “phenomenal” and have helped her company secure some new accounts. “Working with a company of

this level is an amazing experience,” she said. “These stores are going to reach people that are not going to be in the mom and pop shops.” Younkers is also inviting

artisans to potentially sell their products at stores within their state. According to the company’s website, new products could reach local stores as early as this August or early fall.

MAY 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 3

RESEARCH

NewLink announces positive trial results at national meeting By Grayson Schmidt, Staff Writer gschmidt@amestrib.com

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ccording to data presented earlier this month by NewLink Genetics at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2017 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., the Ames-based company may be one step closer to large-scale trials for its immuno-therapy treatments. According to NewLink, patients with non-ocular melanoma achieved a 59 percent objective response rate (ORR), meaning that 30 of the 51 patients saw their tumors shrink to some degree. The data also showed that patients received an 80 percent disease control rate (DCR), meaning that 41 of the 51 patients saw the therapy affect the disease in some way. And

though NewLink Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles Link said the data is extremely exciting, its just means that everyone has to keep moving forward and take another step producing top immuno-oncology treatments. “Your work level goes up a lot (after positive data), but that’s why we do what we do,” Link said in an interview prior to the data being presented. “I wish sometimes that we had more time to stop, take a breath and enjoy the moment, but usually when you see these exciting things, that just means there’s a lot more to get done.” The data presented was from NLG2103, a Phase 2 study evaluating the addition of NewLink’s Indoximod, to the standard of care checkpoint inhibitors

approved for patients with advanced melanoma. Indoximod is an IDO pathway inhibitor, which means that it works to block cancer’s ability to hide from or resist the immune system. Indoximod, in combination with Merck Pharmaceuticals’ Keytruda (pembrolizumab) was given to 60 melanoma patients (51 with non-ocular and 9 with ocular melanoma). Link said that Keytruda on its own only works about 33 percent of the time, but combined with Indoximod, that number rose significantly. The treatment demonstrated a 52 percent (31/60) ORR and a 73 percent (44/60) DCR. However, Link said the treatment was designed for patients with nonocular melanoma (as ocular melanoma does not respond to Keytruda), which is why that

portion of the study received a 59 percent (30/51) ORR and an 80 percent (41/51) DCR. “It’s quite an eye-opening result,” Link said. “This is sort of the first group of principal human data set in advance melanoma patients, showing that combining IDO, plus PD1 (Keytruda) can be effective.” Link also said the combination was generally well tolerated, and did not possess a high-toxicity like some of the other treatments on their own. “Combining these two drugs gets benefits without having the toxic side-effects,” Link said. From here, Link said he hopes to do a larger scale randomized trial that will hopefully lead to a registration trial, followed by Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug, giving all

patients access to the treatment. He said this is only the first step in what he hopes to be a major year for NewLink. Later this year, the company plans to present other data in studies on prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and leukemia. For Link, this moment has been 10 years in the making, and as the self-described “small kid on the block,” he said it has been a major achievement that hopefully will prove to be a stepping stone for the future of cancer treatments. “It’s exciting to have data that sort of puts us right in line with some of the top-tier American and international corporations,” Link said. “There’s no overnight success to it, but it’s what we live for, to have these types of opportunities and make a difference.”

4 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | MAY 2017

Celebrating airport improvements Leaders from local government and business community gathered at the Ames Municipal Airport recently to celebrate the opening of the new hangar, and to welcome a new fixed-based operator to the community. The construction of the new hangar is part of a multiphased modernization project that also includes a construction of a new terminal. The project is a private-public partnership that includes investments by the city of Ames,

Iowa State University, the Ames Economic Development Commission and the Ames business community. Speakers at the event included Ames Mayor Ann Campbell, and Bill Kyle, president of the new FBO, Central Iowa Air Service, which began operating the airport on April 1. Local government and business leaders tout the airport improvement project as a good economic development tool for the area.

Among those present at the event were Michael Crum, VP for Economic Development & Industry Relations, ISU Research Park; Dan Culhane, President & CEO Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development; Rick Sanders, Story County Board of Supervisors; Damion Pregitzer, Traffic Engineer city of Ames; and Dan Oh, President and CEO of Renewable Energy Group. Photos provided by the Ames Chamber of Commerce.

MAY 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 5

6 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | MAY 2017

PRODUCTION

Maxwell’s Sugar Shack is a sweet and syrupy place By Lynn Marr-Moore

For the Tri-County Times

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ill Napier and Bob Carney are pretty good friends. Their families have known each other for about 20 years. They enjoy traveling together, camping and taking vacations. They also enjoy country living, raising chickens, growing their own vegetables and fruits, and making maple syrup. Yes, making maple syrup in central Iowa, a craft they entered into about seven years ago. A visit to a Wisconsin sugar shack for Napier introduced him to the art of collecting sap from maple trees and producing

100 percent natural maple syrup. He ended up with one maple syrup tapper and a pan to cook the sap in from that trip. The rest is history. “We can’t sit still very well,” Napier said. “So we set out to tap our own maple trees and see what we could do with it.” It was a good start on a small scale for the two friends. They both have their “day” jobs. Napier works in sales and Carney has a construction company. The tapping of maple trees and cooking the sap into syrup soon became their evening and weekend job of sort. “We were sitting around twiddling our thumbs, just waiting for the winter to

be over and thinking about getting our gardens in the ground,” Carney said. “This was something that would easily fit into both of our schedules.” The tapping of the maple trees began early this year. On Feb. 9, the first taps were inserted into the maple trees they use to gather the sap. Napier said the warmer temperatures this year allowed the sap to rise from out of the maple tree roots into the trees. “It’s an up-and-down cycle,” Napier said. “The sap rises during the day with the warm temperatures and then it goes down with the colder temperatures at night. We use the same trees year after

This year, Bill Napier and Bob Carney harvested sap from their maple trees to produce 33 gallons of 100 percent all-natural maple syrup. Some of the most recent bottles of syrup are all lined up and ready for friends and family. PHOTO BY LYNN MARR-MOORE

year. There is no damage to the trees and it takes about six to eight weeks for the holes where the tappers were to heal.” This year the two placed 220 taps in the maple trees that they use. They ended up with 77 taps that produced 40 gallons of syrup. The two friends gather the sap daily to avoid having it spoil. Much of their hobby, as they call it, depends on the daily temperatures and the maple trees, or Mother Nature. The sap is then taken to the sugar shack, the place where the syrup is produced. It is the consistency of water. “Then we feed the sap into the cooking pan inside our sugar shack,” tells Napier. “We can boil 40 gallons of sap at one time to produce one gallon of the maple syrup. It takes about five hours of cooking to make the sap into syrup - filtered and bottled.” The sugar shack becomes their home away from home during maple syrup time. “We spend a lot of time out here during maple

syrup-making,” Carney said. “We even had to pile some bricks on the floor near the cooking area so the smallest grandchild was able to stand and watch the cooking process. We eat meals out here, and at one time or another, there are always family members watching the process as well.” According to Napier, the flavor of the finished product depends on the DNA of the trees that the sap was taken from. This year’s finished product resulted in 33 gallons of the 100 percent natural maple syrup, all to be shared with friends and family. “The fun part is done, now we have the cleanup work to do,” said Carney. Maple syrup production, on a small scale, is becoming popular thing in Iowa. “It’s surprising how many people are tapping the maple tree and making their own maple syrup, right here in Iowa,” Napier said. “It has become a very popular hobby for many Iowans. It’s all natural

Bill Napier and Bob Carney, both of rural Maxwell, have been gathering sap from maple trees since Feb. 1. PHOTO BY LYNN MARR-MOORE

sugar, just like honey — no preservatives are used, it is truly organic.” Carney said it’s nothing but fun. “Sometimes we get a little frustrated with Mother Nature, but most of the time it’s a great thing to do and we give the maple syrup away to family and friends. Then we sit and wait for spring to arrive so we can get our gardens in the ground.”

MAY 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 7

Chamber Update MAY 2017

AMES MAIN STREET FARMERS’ MARKET

It’s time for the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market!

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he Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market is here! The seventh year of the market will kick off Saturday May 6th. The market will run every Saturday through October 28th from 8a.m.-12:30p.m. in historic downtown Ames. In October market hours will change to 9:00a.m.-12:30p.m. Stop down to the 300 and 400 blocks of Main Street and check out all of the fresh local produce, meats and cheeses, crafts, artwork, and delicious prepared foods the Market has to offer! The Main Street Farmers’ Market will also feature live music, local entertainment, educational opportunities and much more! Make sure to save the dates of these special Farmers’ Market events: May 6th - Food Truck Showdown May 13th - Free Face Painting by Joyful Colorz May 20th – Lard Baking Contest May 27th – Free Hovick Petting Zoo Led by the Ames Chamber of Commerce, the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market continues to grow and provides a showcase for consumers to buy directly from local producers in the heart of downtown Ames. To keep up to date on weekly vendors, kids’ activities and special events at the Market please bookmark www. AmesMainStreetFarmersMarket.com and become a fan on Facebook (Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market) or follow the Market on Twitter (AmesFarmersMkt). See you at the Market! The Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market is supported by the Ames Community Grant Program.

The mission of the Ames Chamber of Commerce is to provide our members services that strengthen the economic vitality in Ames and enhance the quality of life in our community.

8 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY | M AY 2 017

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

2017 LEADERSHIP SERIES 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CASEY JOHNSON, Chair of Board of Directors Ames Ford Lincoln LUKE JENSEN, Vice Chair Real Estate Service Group, Inc. ANDREW PERRY, 2nd Vice Chair McFarland Clinic, PC SCOTT BLUM, Divisional Chair, Community Development Accord Architecture / Henkel STACY DREYER, Divisional Chair, Government Affairs & Treasurer First National Bank NATE EASTER, Divisional Chair, Membership Iowa State University Research Park DAVE TUCKER, Immediate Past Chair Workiva DAN CULHANE, President / CEO Ames Chamber & Economic Development Commission BOARD MEMBERS Vanessa Baker-Latimer, City of Ames Bret Bartholomew, Bartholomew Chiropractic Lindsey Beecher, Gilbert Community School District Scott Blum, Accord Architecture/Henkel Construction Nathan Buss - YPA Past President, VisionBank Matt Converse, Converse Conditioned Air Lawrence Cunningham, Iowa State Daily Media Group Stacy Dreyer, First National Bank Nate Easter, ISU Research Park Sara Hunter, Vermeer Corporation Luke Jensen, Real Estate Service Group, Inc. Casey Johnson, Ames Ford Lincoln Dr. Sonya Stoltze Newstrom, Stoltze and Stoltze Family Dentistry Andrew Perry, McFarland Clinic, PC Cliff Smith - MSCD Past President, GlobalVetLink Jason Schwenneker, Renewable Energy Group Trevin Ward - CAA President Elect, Workiva Jill Wellman, Danfoss Dave Tucker, Workiva The Chamber Update newsletter is published by the Ames Chamber of Commerce 304 Main Street,Ames, IA, 50010; phone: (515) 232-2310; fax: (515) 233-3203 www.ameschamber.com.

Sold out luncheon kicks off series

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hanks to everyone that came to hear our great speakers share their GRIT moment. We were thrilled to have a SOLD OUT DXGLHQFH IRU WKH ÂżUVW HYHQW LQ RXU Leadership series. Thanks to Great Western Bank for their sponsorship of the Luncheon and to Kinzler for sponsoring the 2017 Leadership Series!

The ďŹ rst event of the Ames Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Leadership series was held Wednesday, March 29th at TownePlace Suites in Ames. A panel of four speakers shared their “gritâ€? moments with a sold out crowd. Ames Chamber of Commerce photo.

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MAY 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 9

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

2017 LEADERSHIP SERIES

Leadercast Lineup Annoucned - Register today! visit www.AmesChamber.com for more info

10 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY | M AY 2 017

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

2017 Washington D.C. fly-in planned

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he 2017 Ames Chamber of Commerce Washington, D.C. FlyIn is right around the corner, as our 2017 delegation will head to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, May 16th and return Thursday, May 18th. During the Fly-In, the delegation will present our 2017 Federal Priorities and other key policy considerations to our federal elected RI¿FLDOV WKHLU VWDIIVœ WKH 7UXPS $GPLQLVWUDWLRQ DQG VHOHFW IHGHUDO DJHQcies. Along with Chamber staff, the Ames delegation will include representatives from the City of Ames, Iowa State University, Des Moines Area Community College, Mary Greeley Medical Center, the Story County Board of Supervisors, Renewable Energy Group, Converse Conditioned Air, Hunziker & Associates, Ames Ford Lincoln, and Global VetLink. The Chamber’s federal priorities highlight the issues of agriculture and bioscience, education and workforce development, transportation, energy and the environment, research and development, trade and exports, tax policy, and the proposed federal budget. With well-articulated priorities and a strong delegation representing the business, institutional, and community leaders of Ames and Story County, the trip will provide an excellent opportunity to share our successes and continue to build on the strong relationships with our federal HOHFWHG RI¿FLDOV DQG WKHLU VWDIIVœ The Ames Chamber of Commerce thanks Converse Conditioned Air, Des Moines Area Community College, First National Bank, Midland Power Cooperative, Renewable Energy Group, and Workiva for their support as 2017 Taking Leadership Legislative Sponsors. Without their strong and continued support the Ames Chamber of Commerce could not provide the advocacy and educational efforts we do at the local, state, and federal level.

Wednesday, May 10th, 5-7pm Food, Cocktails & Prizes Great Western Bank | 316 S Duff Avenue | Ames, Iowa 50010 | Ph 515.232.4304 www.greatwesternbank.com

John Jennett

Join Us Wednesday May 10th, 2017 Chamber Business After Hours 5-7pm

Market President

David Tucker Commercial Loan OfďŹ cer

Sarah Swanson

Carl Hamilton

North Central Iowa Retail Manager

Mortgage Loan OfďŹ cer

Kaleena Blomker Branch Manager

THANK YOU TO OUR 2017 INNER CIRCLE SPONSORS

Kenny Carey Personal Banker

M A Y 2 0 1 7 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | 11

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

May calendar Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

1

2

3

Thursday

4

Leadership Ames

7

8

9

10 4:30 p.m.: Grandpa Noodle Gallery (R/C)

14

15 Leadership Ames Graduation

Mother’s Day

21

16

22

8 a.m.: Leadercast

Youth Leadership Ames

11

12

13

18

91

20

30

8am: Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market (300 & 400 blocks Main Street)

8am: Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market (300 & 400 blocks Main Street)

8am: Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market (300 & 400 blocks Main Street)

4:30 p.m.: Express Professional Employment (R/C)

23

29

6

11:30 a.m.: Knowledge Hour (C) 5 p.m.: Great Western Bank BAH

17

24

Chamber Board

28

Saturday

5 12 noon: Rippke Design (R/C)

4:30 p.m.: Progress Industries (R/C)

Friday

Youth Leadership Ames Graduation

25

26

AEDC Board

27 8am: Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market (300 & 400 blocks Main Street)

31

Memorial Day AEDC !MES %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT #OMMISSION s BAH "USINESS !FTER (OURS s CAA #AMPUSTOWN !CTION !SSOCIATION s C #HAMBER /FlCE s FAW: Friday After Work s L&L: ,UNCH ,EARN s R/C 2IBBON #UTTING s YPA 9OUNG 0ROFESSIONALS OF !MES s YLA: Youth Leadership Ames

AMES MAIN STREET

FARMERS’

MARKET

MAIN STREET SATURDAYS FREE FAMILY FUN LIVE MUSIC COOKING CONTESTS LOCAL PRODUCE

12 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | MAY 2017

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Celebrate with a ribbon cutting If your business has completed a major remodeling project, moved to a new location, changed ownership, or reached a milestone, you need to take advantage of the Chamber’s Ribbon Cutting service that brings members and the media to you. With each Ribbon Cutting, your business will be exposed to the Ames community and Story County. Event photos of your Ribbon Cutting will be published in the Chamber’s Weekly E-mail Update and the Ames Business Monthly. A Ribbon Cutting is a great way to invite people to your location and showcase your business.

Alfred’s Carpet and Decorating 128 Lincoln Way

Not only does this opportunity get people to your place of business, but it offers a unique networking environment in addition to some great marketing. So what are you waiting for? Contact Jan Williams at jan@ameschamber.com or call 232-2310, to schedule your Ribbon Cutting today!

✂ Fuzzy’s Taco Shop 2420 Lincoln Way

M A Y 2 0 1 7 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | 13

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AMBASSADORS Cindy Albin, Hunziker & Associates Tess Ashley,Global State Mortgage Alli Azbill, Global State Mortgage Don Borcherding, Greater Iowa Credit Union Steve Bock, RE/MAX Real Estate Center Adam Brungardt, Americann & County Suites/Ames Laura Brassell, Bank of the West Nathan Buss, VisionBank Tara Carlson, Tom Randall Real Estate Team Kelsey Carper, Re/Max Real Estate Center John Coder, VisionBank Lisa Downs, EXIT Realty Stacy Dreyer, First National Bank Pam Fleener, First National Bank Teresa Garman, Individual Member Leslie Ginder, ISU LAS Career Services Shelley Goecke, McFarland Clinic Tom Haggas, Cheshire Moon Films Sherry Hosteng, RE/MAX Real Estate Ashley Howe, Xpanxion Sharon Johnson, RE/MAX Real Estate Michelle King, The Krell Institute Matt Koehler, Greater Iowa Credit Union Paul Livingston, Hunziker & Associates, Realtors Danielle Minde, EXIT Realty Brandon Mumm, Ames Tribune David Orth, Spirited Giving Matthew Pacha, Hy-Vee Lincoln Center Mike Peckis, Sam’s Club Sarah Powers, RE/MAX Real Estate Tom Randall, Tom Randall Real Estate Team Tim Rasmussen, Flooring America Molly Redenbaugh, Danfoss Power Solutions Matt Roghair, Exchange State Bank Dorothy Schumer, Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Tim Tryon, First National Bank Daryle Vegge, Ames Morning Rotary Allyson Walter, Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau Cherie Wandling, Wilson Toyota of Ames Patricia Wheeler,Waterford of Ames Michelle Wild, Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau

McFly’s 115 5th Street

Sports Page 3720 Lincoln Way

14 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | MAY 2017

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

C HA M B E R

Welcome, new Ames Chamber members London Underground, is an unpretentious

MEMBERS

Thank you to the following members who have donated 10 percent more than their annual dues for Chamber projects: 600 Shadows Hedrick Construction, Inc. A & R Marketing Heuss Printing ATS Logistics Inc. Hy Vee - Drugstore Alfred’s Carpet & Decorating Hy Vee - Lincoln Center Amcor Hy Vee - West Ames American Family Insurance iHeart Media Angela Laughlin Agency Iowa State Center American Family Insurance Iowa State University - Katie Frame Agency Memorial Union American Family Insurance, KHOI Heart of Iowa Scott Lawrence Agency Community Radio Ames Eye Clinic Keller Williams / Tom Randall Ames Ford Lincoln Knizler Construction Services Ames Jaycees Kreg Tool Company Avec Design + Build LWBJ Barilla Laura’s Cabinet Gallery Big Creek Design Group Manpower Blue Sky Orthodontics McFarland Clinic Bolton & Menk Moorman Clothiers Ames, Buffalo Wild Wings Mucky Duck CIT Signature Transportation Nelson Electric CON-STRUCT, INC. North Grand Mall Central Software Solutions Orangetheory Fitness Central Iowa Air Service PCI Academy Cheshire Moon Films Pinnacle Properties City of Ames Pizza Pit Country Landscapes Robert Buck Dan’s Custom Landscapes Roger Underwood Deposit SALACL, LLC Des Moines Area Community Special Olympics Iowa College Spring Valley Wireless Dublin Bay Staff Management | SMX Econolodge Ames State Farm, Pat Brown Farmer’s Insurance - John Stomping Grounds Schremph The Spice Farner-Bocken Co. The Weitz Company First United Methodist Church Thrivent Financial, Duane Faas Fuji Steakhouse Tommy’s Salon Glendandy Marketing Torrent Brewing Company Grandpa Noodle Gallery U.S. Cellular H.L. Munn Lumber Co. Workiva Hallett Materials YSS Hanson Homes Inc.

Because of contributions from members like these, the Ames Chamber can maintain a level of excellence in the services we provide. Please note: This represents only a portion of the Chamber’s Gold members. All Gold members will be listed one time during the year.

British pub in downtown, located at 212 Main Street. Plan to stop in and check out their interesting selection of beers, wines, whiskeys and vintage cocktails. Call 233.8500 or visit www.theundergroundames.com for more information.

LMV Engineering, LC, has offered consulting engineering services for over 25 years. With expertise in designing new or remodeled projects for primarily commercial applications, call them at 515.290.1139 or email LMVEngineering@gmail. com for your HVAC, as well as electrical, plumbing, and lighting design needs.

Max Oxygen Crossfit, located at 2100 E 13th Street, strives to create the best athletes from the inside out by using constantly varied, functional movements executed with high-intensity workouts. Join for the workout, stay for the community! For more information, visit www.maxoxygencrossfit.com or stop in for a consultation today!

Potbelly Sandwich Shop, is your fresh, fast & friendly neighborhood stop for your lunch or catering needs. They use simple, high-quality ingredients and are committed to serving awesome food that’s great tasting! Stop in at 2310 Lincoln Way or call 520.8651 for more information or delivery!

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, serving nearly 11,000 girls and 3,000 adults in 67 counties in Iowa, shows girls that they have the power to have a positive effect on their community and the world. This non-profit is part of the Ames Chamber of Commerce Corporate Buddies program, thanks to the generosity of Wells Fargo. For more information on Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, visit www. girlscoutsiowa.org, or contact aknoll@gsiowa.org.

Join the Chamber. Make new connections, promote your business, take advantage of professional development programs and more when you join the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Contact Jan Williams at (515) 232-2310 for more information on how you or your organization can become a Chamber member. When you join, here are some of the many benefits you can take advantage of right away. s 0OST COUPONS on our Web site for FREE. s!TTEND MONTHLY Business After Hours, First Shot Sessions, Legislative Luncheons and more for FREE. s 4AKE ADVANTAGE of reasonably priced ways to promote your business such as ribbon cuttings and mailing labels, just to name a few. s $ISCOUNTED 9OUNG Professionals of Ames membership (ages 21 to 40).

MAY 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 15

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

AMES FOUNDATION

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Local Job Board Updates

I

The Ames Foundation debuts planting trailer

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he Ames Foundation wants to extend a special thanks to Rotary Club of Ames and FastSigns of Ames for the donation of our new trailer. Dubbed “The Planting Trailer,� this addition to the Ames Foundation will increase the Foundation’s visibility in the community when working projects such as the Community Tree Program in partnership with the City of Ames. About the donation of the wrap for the trailer, John Crawford of FastSigns of Ames had this to say: “The Ames Foundation has, since 1976, done a number of projects that are the epitome of Ames. We live in a beautiful

city thanks in part to the hard, and often thankless work of the Ames Foundation. The Ames Foundation board consists of volunteers who give a lot of time and resources, so the donation of the trailer wrap was an easy choice. The Community Tree Project is a great addition to our community, and it is just an example of the kinds of projects you can expect from the Ames Foundation.� In April, the Ames Foundation organized volunteers to help plant trees as a continuation of this program, and debuted the Planting Trailer. Other projects on the horizon include the Miracle League Inclusive Playground, entryway signage, and airport landscaping. Keep your eyes peeled for the Planting Trailer, and if you see us drive by, be sure to honk and wave. If you’re interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, please reach out to Peter Ampe at peter@ameschamber.com.

Ames Chamber and AfďŹ liate staff ‡ Dan Culhane, President and CEO ‡ Peter Ampe, Director, Project Management ‡ Sarah Buss, Director, Sponsorship and Membership Events ‡ Karin Chitty, Campustown Action Association Executive Director

‡ Edana Delagardelle, Event Coordinator, Main Street Cultural District ‡ %UHQGD 'U\HU Director, Workforce Solutions & Story County Community Outreach ‡ Lauren Frandsen, Director, Communications & Marketing

n 2013 the Ames Economic Development Commission launched the website “Work In Ames,â€? which has served as a job board for local opportunities since then. We are happy to announce that after four years of growth, Work In Ames has a brand new website. Updates that we have made this year include the ability for job seekers to upload their resumes to the website, PDQDJH WKHLU RZQ SURÂżOH DQG RI FRXUVH search for jobs available here in Ames. For employers, they too have the ability to PDLQWDLQ D SURÂżOH DOORZLQJ WKHP WR PDQage with ease their company’s job listings. Additionally, employers may search for TXDOLÂżHG FDQGLGDWHV YLHZ WKHLU XSORDGHG

resumes, and contact them directly. In many ways, we are lucky to call Ames home. We have a vibrant and growing economy, healthy living, and great amenities. Yet, like anywhere in the country, we are not without our problems. One VXFK SUREOHP RXU HPSOR\HUV IDFH LV ÂżQGLQJ WDOHQWHG DQG TXDOLÂżHG HPSOR\HHV considering Ames has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation. A new and improved Work In Ames website is just one way the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission are tackling the workforce issue. To learn more about Work In Ames and our other workforce initiatives, reach out to Brenda Dreyer at brenda@ameschamber.com.

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RQ &RPLQJ 6R &RQFLHUJH $VVLVWDQFH 3URJUDP ś &RPPXQLW\ 7RXU RI $PHV ś 1HZFRPHU &ODVVHV 1HWZRUNLQJ (YHQWV ś 7UDLOLQJ 6SRXVH $VVLVWDQFH ‡ Drew Kamp, Director, Business Retention/Expansion & Government Relations ‡Lojean Petersen, Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Manager ‡Jan Williams, Director, External Business Relations

16 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | MAY 2017

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

Young Professionals of Ames

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et involved with Young Professionals of Ames for opportunities to build and foster relationships though:

2017 YPA Board

s,EADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT s0ROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT s#OMMUNITY /UTREACH s#ULTURAL AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES Visit www.ypames.com to learn more and join us!

90! 1UARTERLY %XCELLENCE !WARD IS BACK

Mission: To reward members who positively represent YPA in their workplace and community. Guidelines: YPA members warrant recognition when they have achieved excellence in the areas of career advancement, community service projects, community leadership roles, or YPA leadership roles. Actions that merit recognition could include but are not limited to professional promotions, internal company awards, community awards, leadership positions, etc. Tell Us More: Any member can complete the form each quarter to be in consideration for recognition. The YPA Marketing Committee will approve and vote for each quarterly winner prior to publishing. Information provided may be posted among YPA social media outlets. Actions that merit recognition include, but are not limited to: ‡6HUYLFH WKDW EHWWHUV WKH $PHV &RPmunity and/or people in the community ‡&DUHHU $GYDQFHPHQW RU DZDUG ‡ <3 6LOHQW /HDGHU ,QGLYLGXDOV ZKR are ‘behind the scenes’ promoting the YPA mission and outreach to community

*OIN 90! 4ODAY

You can now join the more than 100 fascinating, involved, diverse individuals who make up the Young Professionals of Ames membership. And joining online is quick and easy! Why YPA? ‡*HW LQYROYHG ‡0HHW QHZ SHRSOH PDNH QHZ IULHQGV ‡%XLOG \RXU SURIHVVLRQDO QHWZRUN ‡*LYH EDFN WR WKH FRPPXQLW\ ‡(GXFDWH \RXUVHOI ‡*HW \RXU QDPH RXW ‡3ODQ HYHQWV ‡0DNH \RXU PDUN ‡+DYH IXQ ‡7DNH LW WR WKH QH[W OHYHO

Join YPA today and become a part of something greater - the YP movement. If you: ‡$UH ± ‡:DQW WR JHW LQYROYHG ‡:DQW WR HQKDQFH \RXU OHDGHUVKLS skills ‡/LYH RU ZRUN LQ $PHV We are a dues based organization and dues help support: ‡0RQWKO\ /XQFK /HDUQV ‡$QQXDO /HDGHUVKLS 6\PSRVLXP ‡5HDG ZLWK 0H 3URJUDP ‡0RQWKO\ $IWHU :RUN 6RFLDO (YHQWV ‡$QG PDQ\ HYHQWV DQG DFWLYLWLHV throughout the year Visit www.ypames.com to join today!

Jessica Mortvedt, President, Haverkamp Properties Nathan Buss, Past-President, VisionBank Megan Vollstedt, PresidentElect, Workiva Charmian Stewart, Hilton Garden Inn Ames Taylor Hopper, Fox Engineering Heather Johnson, Octagon Adam Halbur, Grandgenett Family Dental Jason Mortvedt, Kinzler Construction Bri Anderson, Ames Public Library Justin Moorman, Moorman Clothiers Megan Filipi, Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau Chamber Liaison/Staff: Sarah Buss, Ames Chamber of Commerce

Thank you to our 2017 YPA sponsors

Ames Ford Lincoln First National Bank Global Reach Internet Productions Hunziker & Associates, Realtors ISU MBA Kingland Systems Mary Greeley Medical Center Munn Lumber North Grand Mall Story Construction VisionBank Hy-Vee Converse Conditioned Air

Connect with YPA Visit www.ypames.com for upcoming events, committee openings and volunteer opportunities.

ThAW - Thursdays After Workevents are YPA socials held monthly at a Chamber business where members and non-members can meet each other and network, as well as enjoy some free appetizers! We will hold a prize drawing at every ThAW this year for those in attendance. Are you feeling lucky? 3OHDVH VHH WKH ZHHNO\ <3$ QHZVOHWWHU IRU HYHQW ORFDWLRQ DQG RWKHU VSHFL¿FV

M A Y 2 0 1 7 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y |17

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

MAIN STREET CULTURAL DISTRICT

Ames Main Street business honored by Governor

C

afé Diem was presented the Outstanding Business Award from the Governor at the annual Main Street Iowa awards ceremony, on April 7. The business, which is located in the Main Street Cultural District, is a perfect example of how a healthy and vibrant Main Street successfully works as a business incubator. Started in 2000 by Bill and Jen Malone, the business has grown to include four locations, serving hundreds of customers a day. Café Diem is open seven days a week, providing classic ambiance for those seeking a traditional coffee house experience. Once a dying downtown, The Ames Main Street Cultural District became a Main Street Iowa community in 2009. By then, the Malones had been working for several years to turn downtown Ames back into a thriving area to do business. It took a while, Café Diem was one of the starting points to turning Main Street Ames back into a social center in the community. “Café Diem was born on Main Street and is a model that has been replicated by

Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, Jen Malone, Bill Malone, Governor Terry Brandstad.

courageous owners who weren’t afraid to quit their full-time jobs to make try at selling cup of coffee,” said Ames Mayor Ann

Campbell. “We need more Malones on Main Street.” Bill and Jen say they struggled in the

beginning. Malone continued to work his full-time job, while Jen ran the business. They had two employees and served 40 customers a day. Slowly, the business began to build and eventually the location on Main Street was serving 400 customers on a busy day. “Main Street was so slow, you could walk out blindfolded and not hit anything,” said Malone. “I remember walking out several times and the only cars on Main were parked outside our little business. Now parking is crazy.” Malone says part of the success of the business has come from what he calls “thinking outside the box” and marketing in unique ways. They hold pop-up jazz nights, political events, and are always looking for ways to push the envelope. ³7KH\ JHQHUDWH WUDI¿F DQG they encourage their patrons to support and visit other downtown businesses,” said Dan Culhane, Ames Chamber of Commerce CEO. “Every community, every neighborhood, needs a champion and Café Diem and its owners are certainly champions for the Main Street Cultural District.”

Presented by:

Friday, June 2nd

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

- More than 50 local artists - Interactive demonstrations - Artwork for Sale - Art activities for the kids

18 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | MAY 2017

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2017

CAMPUSTOWN ACTION ASSOCIATION

Campustown Business Spotlight: A&R Marketing/ Dogtown University

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wenty years and counting! That’s how long A&R Marketing has been in business in Campustown. On September 4, 1996 Anne Taylor and Roger Ossian set out to become small business owners by offering custom screen printed and embroidered apparel to ISU Student Organizations, ISU Departments and Programs, as well as all types of businesses and associations located in the Ames and surrounding areas. A&R Marketing is an Iowa State licensed vendor and has worked with WKH ,68 7UDGHPDUN DQG /LFHQVLQJ RI¿FH through multiple logo changes and the resurgence of the Vintage Collection of ISU marks. A&R serves the corporate apparel market and has worked with countless other institutions in and around Ames, including hospitals, construction companies, software and tech businesses and sports camps. You name it, they have most likely worked with someone on it. In the fall of 2002 Anne and Roger were asked if they were interested in acquiring additional space at their original location, 108 Hayward. Six years into the custom apparel business, with that going well, they were definitely interested. Since they were already an ISU Licensed vendor - they set out to create Dogtown University, an ISU Licensed product retail store. At the heart of the original

retail idea was the old ISU vintage marks, which at the time were not being marketed by the University. The old Marching Cy (the “Kickin’ Chicken”) and the Tornado logo from the 80’s were among the most highly requested logos. The goal was to give shoppers a wide variety of items they couldn’t ¿QG DQ\ZKHUH HOVH :KLOH WKH YLQWDJH PDUNV FDQ now be found in other retail stores, Dogtown has preserved its unique mix of merchandise by creating their own designs and by maintaining a small, boutique-style store. In January of 2010, A&R Marketing and Dogtown University moved to 217 Welch Avenue. The move afforded them much higher visibility in the Campustown area, as well as much higher foot WUDI¿F IRU WKH UHWDLO EXVLQHVV $ERXW WKLV VDPH WLPH the Campustown Action Association was experiencing a rebirth of sorts with support from the Ames Chamber of Commerce, the City of Ames and Iowa State University. With the sense that involvement and volunteering make for a strong community, A&R / Dogtown, along with all businesses in the Campustown neighborhood, was asked to join CAA to help get WKH ÀHGJOLQJ RUJDQL]DWLRQ RII WKH JURXQG 2YHU WKH past seven years Dogtown has donated countless hours of volunteer services, sponsorship and energy to help the ever changing and improving neighborhood. For that, and for many other reasons, we are happy they call Campustown home.

MAY 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 19

AWARD

Cafe Diem honored as Outstanding Business with statewide award By Austin Harrington

Staff Writer aharrington@amestrib.com

A

mes Main Street coffee shop Cafe Diem was among the handful of businesses around the state to be honored during the 31st-annual Main Street Iowa Awards Celebration in Des Moines. Cafe Diem was given the “Outstanding Business” award during the April 7 event, while the Ames Main Street District was also honored by being one of 10 communities in that state to be recognized for reaching a significant benchmark of $5 million based on private dollar investments made in the purchase and revitalization of properties within their respective commercial districts. Main Street Iowa has

Ames Main Street coffee shop Cafe Diem was among the handful of businesses around the state to be honored during the 31st-annual Main Street Iowa Awards Celebration in Des Moines. Cafe Diem was given the “Outstanding Business” award during Friday evening’s event. FILE PHOTO BY JULIE ERICKSON/AMES TRIBUNE

annually presented awards honoring outstanding accomplishments, activities and people that are making a difference in Iowa’s Main Street districts, according to a press release. Projects large and small are recognized and

serve as outstanding examples of what historic commercial district revitalization is all about. Bill Malone, owner of Cafe Diem, said it was an honor to be included for his businesses accomplishments,

but he sees it more of an award for work within the community, not just within his own business. “We got the award, in my opinion, because of all the work we do downtown,” Malone said. “We’ve been behind a ton of major events and we’ve been promoting change on Main Street really since the day we started.” Malone said the growth in the downtown area has been exciting for him, and he’s thrilled to have been a part of that change since the beginning. “Every time someone comes up with an idea about change or something new, hey, we’re in,” Malone said. “I think that’s the classic struggle with downtown and all of Ames. It’s like there’s people who don’t like change and people who do, and Cafe Diem’s always been on the

side of change and progress.” In the past, Malone and Cafe Diem have also supported or sponsored events such as Oktoberfest, Firefly Country Night and the downtown Farmer’s Market, which have also won awards on their own. Malone was of about a dozen to be honored across the state in what was described as a very “competitive nomination” process. He said he was extremely excited to be a part of the ceremony. “We were thrilled that the local Main Street nominated us and then to win out over the rest of the state, it’s just a huge honor,” Malone said. Along with the award for Outstanding Business, Stan and Tammy Hyer, of the Main Street Cultural District, were also honored with a special award that recognizes inspirational leadership

and volunteers who make significant contributions to the local Main Street programs’ downtown revitalization mission. In a written statement, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad praised the program and encouraged Main Street organizations across the state. “The Main Street Iowa program has stood the test of time since its introduction in 1985. The program continues to bring businesses, jobs, investment and vitality to our states’ traditional business districts,” Branstad said. “The Main Street Approach works, and Main Street Iowa has been a national model because we are creative, we embrace change, we demand local initiative and action, but, we hold strong to our roots as a historic preservation program.”

RESTAURANT

Blaze sees major turnout for free pizza day By Grayson Schmidt, Staff Writer gschmidt@amestrib.com

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laze Pizza Franchise Partner Paul McCrae said he did not have to do anything overly extravagant to get people to come visit the restaurant, just offer them free pizza, and let the taste do the rest. “What better way to get someone out here than free pizza?” McCrae said during the new pizza restaurant’s Free Pizza Day in early April. “Once you eat our pizza … you’re going to fall in love it; it’s awesome.” For Blaze’s last day of staff training, Campustown’s newest “fastcasual” restaurant, located at 2320 Lincoln Way, offered free pizza from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. to anyone

who would like or follow Blaze on various social media platforms. McCrae said he expected to serve roughly 1,500 people, and have a steady line outside the restaurant all day. “As far social media, in today’s world, everyone’s already looking at it,” McCrae said. One of the first people in line was Iowa State sophomore Elmin Rahic, who said that he had never tried the pizza before, but was just excited that there is now another option in Ames. “I just love pizza and thought that this would be a nice place to try,” Rahic said. Though Blaze is a block from Jeff’s Pizza, and (soon-to-be) Smokin Oak, Rahic said that having the competition will be good for

Campustown. “Having more options is better, and creates more competition,” Rahic said. “I love it, to be honest.” Ames resident Steve Luhmann said that Blaze’s fresh ingredients and gluten-free options were what brought him out Friday morning. Luhmann said he is in the health and wellness business, and likes that Blaze has healthier options that other pizza shops may not offer. “These guys are setting themselves apart because there are no chemicals or preservatives in here,” Luhmann said. “My hope is that as far as food quality, that other places get on board.” Blaze employees also make each pizza in front of the customer, which Luhmann said provides a

Employees prepare a pizza at the new Blaze Pizza at 2320 Lincoln Way on Friday. PHOTO BY GRAYSON SCHMIDT/AMES TRIBUNE

different experience than at other places. “That’s a different concept too, seeing them actually build your own (pizza),” Luhmann said. “The feel of it too; Blaze has got a real good feel to it.” Aside from the ingredients and experience that Blaze provides, McCrae said he is proud of the way that his staff is trained. In the

two soft openings on Wednesday and Thursday McCrae said that he received numerous compliments about the friendliness of his staff, which he said is just as gratifying as people loving the food. “I’ve been in casual dining my entire life, and it’s not like this,” McCrae said. “People are seeking me out to tell me how great it is. Nothing’s better than that.”

2 0 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | MAY 2017

MANUFACTURING

American Packaging Corporation makes use of expanded facility By Ronna Lawless Staff Writer

A

merican Packaging in Story City opened its doors recently to show off its $45 million expansion that increased the size of its facility to around 360,000 square feet. Story City Council members and other city officials toured the

facility in March, seeing where it makes integrated packaging for the food, beverage, medical, personal care, household, pet food, agricultural chemical, lawn and garden and other specialty markets. The company specializes in flexographic and rotogravure printing; multi-ply extrusion; and adhesive lamination of film,

paper and foil. APC also makes pouches and bags with a variety of special features. APC produces packaging for hundreds of recognizable products, from Dole lettuce to Kit Kat bars to Bisquick. An APC print mark is placed inconspicuously on each product. If consumers find a tiny version of the APC logo on their product, they can be

sure the packaging was manufactured at the facility in Story City. The APC expansion includes more office space for departments such as graphics, technical, customer service and pricing. Printing plates for the products are made in-house. With major customers such as General Mills and Mars, everything needs to adhere to the clients’

specifications. “When we make packaging for M&Ms, the yellow has to be that exact yellow associated with that product,” said Andrew Reeder, manager of manufacturing and the guide for the council’s tour. The expansion also added significant space to the manufacturing floor. It added new printing presses, a triplex laminator and

Left, production manager Mike Campbell walks down an aisle in one of the warehouses for American Packaging, which holds many giant rolls of a variety of diff erent types of packing materials. Right, A machine operator at American Packaging Corporation keeps an eye on the flexographic press, which is capable of printing 1 million feet of materials each day. PHOTOS BY RONNA LAWLESS

Above, this giant roll of Kit Kat wrappers is one of the products manufactured by APC. Packaging for many well-known brands and products is produced at American Packaging in Story City. Right, this print mark is a tiny clue — about the size of a pencil eraser — on a package that was produced at American Packaging Corporation.

MAY 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 21 ancillary equipment. The improvements increased the facility’s capacity and enabled growth in the customer base. The full project cost about $45 million, with around $13 million going into building construction, $21 million going into manufacturing machinery and equipment, and $11 million going toward other machinery and equipment. The expansion added almost 100,000 square feet to the existing building. The number of employees has increased to approximately 300, up

from 176 in the summer of 2015. The plant is operating 24 hours a day, five days a week. “Our goal is to get to 24/7, but with the new machines, we have so much more capacity,” Reeder said. “Many of our employees started out as temps with the goal of going full-time, and now we’re at about 300 full-time workers. “I grew up in Iowa, and I’ve witnessed the strength of the work ethic here. Sometimes people apply for jobs and they don’t have manufacturing experience, but maybe they grew

APC production manager Mike Campbell shows some M&M packaging to Mark Jackson, Story City’s city administrator. PHOTOS BY RONNA LAWLESS

Left, Mayor Mike Jensen and Councilman Dave Sporleder look at one of the plates that being prepared at American Packaging Corporation. Right. Catherine Ingham handles the controls as a printing plate is cut robotically at American Packaging Corporation.

up working on the family farm. We know that takes a strong work ethic, and that translates well to our manufacturing environment.” Although APC came to Story City in 1989 and the original plant was built there in 1997, the company itself has been in business for more than 110 years. In 1902, the Kardon family founded American Bag and Paper in Philadelphia, Pa. Since its start in 1902, APC has been owned by only two families, the Kardons and the Schottlands, and the company has been led by only five CEOs in that time.

Company officials attribute APC’s longstanding success to its commitment to providing more innovation, more quality, and more responsive customer service, along with strategic investments in the latest technology. In 1982, APC was renamed American Packaging Corporation. In 1989, it consolidated the preformed products segment of its business in Story City. APC built the flexographic printing facility in Story City in 1997. In those early years, the plant was best known

for producing bags for a popcorn company. The Story City facility added a digital plate maker in 2006. Story City is a flexographic location for APC. The plant custom-built 10-station flexographic presses and an off-line laminator. The enormous German-made flexographic presses are each capable of running one million feet of product in a day’s time, Reeder said. The plant also has laser micro-perforation capabilities. “The Dole lettuce bags

we produce have tiny perforations,” Reeder said. “Those holes have to be done according to the company’s specifications because they have figured a good balance for the respiration rate of the bag. It helps lettuce last 10 days to two weeks because it helps control the moisture content.” Samples from the lines are taken to the quality control department for testing on a variety of attributes, including opacity, strength, thickness and the amount of retained solvents. Andrew Reeder explains the features of printing plates to touring city officials at American Packaging Corporation.

2 2 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | MAY 2017

RESTAURANT

Jethro’s Barbecue will expand into the former Aldi building offDuff Avenue and open in July. PHOTO BY DAN MIKA/AMES TRIBUNE

Jethro’s confi rms expansion to Ames private events to more than 500 people for gameday parties and more informal events, Gerleman said. he owner of Jethro’s He said the restaurant had Barbecue has confirmed secured a parking lot sharing the restaurant chain is agreement from the city and coming to Ames with plans nearby businesses for the to create the biggest sports 1,550 spots in the lot, allebar in the Big 12 Conference. viating some of his previous According to City Assesconcerns about parking and sor records, the former Aldi access from Duff Avenue. building off South Duff “That’s one of the things Avenue was purchased by I’m most excited about, that Bruce Gerleman last week. we’re going to have adequate Gerleman had been doing due diligence on the building parking and it’s going to be in and out easy access,” Gersince at least mid-February. leman said. “The difficulty Gerleman said the restauof getting in and out and rant is still set to have a 350finding places to park is just seat restaurant and sports bar, which he estimates could not the case here.” The restaurant, to be be the largest sports bar in the Big 12 region. He said the located at 1301 Buckeye Ave., is expected to hire about spot will also have 30 big200 employees and 12 fullscreen televisions equipped time managers. Gerleman is with 15 different satellite aiming to open the location services that can display in July. any NFL or NCAA TournaThe original Jethro’s ment game upon customer opened in the Drake Unirequest. versity neighborhood in He also is expecting to 2008 and now operates localaunch a shuttle service to tions in Waukee, Johnston, bring tailgaters that park Ankeny, Altoona and West near the restaurant to and Des Moines. from campus on Cyclone Gerleman was eyeing game days. an expansion into Ames for “We’re doing our research several years. He said he’s right now, but we just don’t excited to be located near a think there’s going to be anymajor entrance into the city, thing quite like it, not even in and to be steps away from a Texas,” Gerleman said. movie theater. The restaurant is also “I think this location is still set to have an adjaabsolutely perfect for us,” he cent banquet hall that can said. seat between 330 people for By Dan Mika, Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com

T

BRIMEYER

Improving with customers I

transmission design expertise. ’ve facilitated over 250 formal So in this case we reasoned that improvement events over the they now needed us for our supply past 13 years. One of the most chain expertise. We had a good challenging improvement activ10-year head start in practicing ities was also one of the most Lean principles. rewarding … funny how that Value Stream works out. Mapping is a Lean While working for tool which looks at Sauer-Danfoss (now the chain of proDanfoss Power Solucesses linked within tions) we supplied a facility — from a custom-designed the receiving dock to transmission to a the shipping dock in well-known tractor the case of a factory manufacturer. Orders — to produce a from the customer product or service. It were very sporadic — addresses the waste periods of lax orders, which often occurs followed by requested between departemergency partial ments, perhaps after truck shipments were years of focused the norm. The crazy Rick Brimeyer sub-optimization orders resulted in within the individual our on-time delivery processes. being below both our Extended Value Stream and the customer’s goal. Mapping takes an even bigger How could this be? Due to its picture view to remove the waste popularity with consumers, our between facilities. If the opportutransmission was practically a standard component on the tractor, nity for sub-optimization is significant between departments within included on over 90 percent of the the same facility, the prospect models. The output of the assemacross facilities is enormous. bly line simply couldn’t vary that Our visit to the customer’s much day-to-day. Our frustration tractor assembly line confirmed reached a breaking point when our suspicions. Output was 100 we were informed that no units tractors per day, plus or minus five were required from us for the next … every day. The root cause for several weeks. Now what to do their crazy order patterns was a with two shifts with a half dozen computer-based ordering system workers apiece and no demand for which no one really understood. six weeks? The customer defined the We agreed that we had to work minimum and maximum number an improvement project with the of units they wanted to have on customer … a bit of an awkward hand. We designed and painted a situation since they were the cusfloor template so pallets of transtomer. We first had to overcome missions were always stored in the paradigm that the customer is the same place and counting the always right. number of loads on-hand was a Fortunately, aside from their cinch. At the end of each workday erratic ordering patterns, we had one of the customer’s material hanan excellent relationship with the dlers communicated the number of customer. We collaborated closely actual units on hand. For the first during the design of the innotime ever, we received a clean signal vative transmission whose feaof what the customer actually tures set their tractor apart its had instead of a computer-calcucompetitors. lated value based on an algorithm We always accepted the created by Rube Goldberg. fact that they hired us for our

Based on the customer’s actual inventory, our shipping team removed the appropriate number of pallets of finished units from a small “supermarket” and loaded them onto a trailer that the trucking company kept at our plant. When the trailer was a day from being filled we notified the trucking company that a driver would be needed the following day for shipment. The assembly cell then built new units to replace the empty spots in the supermarket. Simple! In essence, each day we built the number of transmissions to replace those assembled into tractors at the customer’s factory 1000 miles away. The solution was a smashing success:  The customer’s average inventory was significantly reduced, freeing up cash and saving space.  Partial truck shipments were eliminated, saving the customer thousands of dollars in annual shipping costs.  We realized level demand, avoiding unnecessary overtime and occasional worker surpluses.  Our on-time delivery went to 100 percent. Perhaps the biggest benefit, however, was that the cause of animosity towards the customer was eliminated. Everyone involved with the tractor transmission was now connected to our customer. Walking through the factory one day, I noticed the transmission assembly cell wasn’t working. When I asked one of the workers who typically worked the cell, he explained that a squirrel had gotten into a transformer and shut down their plant. Now that’s really knowing your customer. RICK BRIMEYER is the President of Brimeyer LLC, an independent management consulting firm located in Ames which guides organizations to higher performance by focusing on process improvement and leadership development. Further information is available at www.brimeyerllc.com or by calling 515-450-8855.

MAY 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 23

REASON

What type of risk do I have in my portfolio? L

ast month, Nate discussed the definition of portfolio risk and explained how proper portfolio construction could decrease that risk. He ended the article with the statement that we cannot diversify all risk away. To build on that point, there are two types of risk in portfolios, unsystematic risk and systematic risk. You won’t be quizzed on this later, so you can relax a little. Unsystematic risk is “diversifiable,” meaning you can reduce the amount of risk with increasing levels of diversification. By investing in more companies, countries, and funds, your risk decreases. Examples include: Business risk — How well is

Andra Reason the company run? Financial risk — Is the

company highly dependent on borrowed money to fund operations? Default risk — Is the company able to make loan payments? Country risk — Is the company in a stable country? Systematic risk is “undiversifiable,” meaning no matter how diverse your portfolio holdings might be, there will be risk and volatility in your portfolio. Examples include: Purchasing power risk — Will my dollar buy the same gallon of milk in five years after accounting for inflation? Reinvestment risk — When my investment matures, will I have to reinvest at a lower rate? Interest rate risk — How

sensitive is my bond fund to a change in interest rates? Market risk — Fear, greed, panic, supply and demand are all built into the price of investments because the investors are human. Exchange rate risk — Will the US dollar’s value rise against other currencies which will cause the returns on foreign stocks to suffer when translated back to the US dollar? Most portfolios will contain stocks, bonds, and cash because that’s good diversification. How much of each depends on our individual risk tolerance. We all want to maintain (or increase) our living standards, but we are not willing to take on an amount

of risk that will keep us awake at night. Although sleep is important for everyone, I am hopeful you didn’t fall asleep with all of the financial jargon. Just in case you did, the most important take-away from this is; we can never eliminate all risk when investing. But, a good advisor can help assess your risk tolerance to increase your odds of building, and preserving your wealth in spite of (and sometimes because of) the risks taken. ANDRA REASON, CPA, CFP is a Principal and Investment Advisor at Marrs Wealth Management. She can be reached at Andra@marrswealth. com or www.MarrsWealthManagement.com.

24 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | MAY 2017

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