Vol. 21 No. 4 PO Box 118, Sioux City, Iowa 51102
April 2014
AGRIBUSINESS ISSUE
CF’s big PROJECT
Port Neal Plant Manager Nick DeRoos INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: Area farmers look ahead to spring planting. Page 13 Contractor works on projects that help feed world PAGE 11
Area farmers eager to start spring planting PAGE 13
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014
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BusinessJournal Ron Peterson, publisher Dave Dreeszen, editor Siouxland Business Journal is published monthly by Sioux City Newspapers Inc., in cooperation with the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. Requests for a free subscription or address changes should be sent to: Kevin McGarry Siouxland Business Journal Box 118 Sioux City, Iowa 51102
Editorial copy should be sent to: Dave Dreeszen Siouxland Business Journal editor Box 118 Sioux City, Iowa 51102 dave.dreeszen@lee.net For more information: Editorial: (712) 293-4211 or 800-397-9820, ext. 4211 Advertising: (712) 224-6279 or 800-728-8588 Circulation: (712) 293-4257 or 800-397-2213, ext. 4257 On the web: www.SiouxlandBusinessJournal.com
Index Business Know How........................................ page 22
Home & Office...................................................page 21
Business People................................................page 18
On the move..................................................... page 25
Chamber anniversaries................................... page 24
Ribbon cuttings................................................ page 29
On the cover
Dawn J. Sagert, Sioux City Journal
CF Industries Port Neal Plant Manager Nick DeRoos is shown March 4 at the site of a $1.7 billion expansion of the company’s nitrogen fertilizer complex just south of Sioux City.
Chamber investors.......................................... page 24
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Metro Sioux City No. 1, again, on Site Selection list Metro area tops national publication list for projects DAVE DREESZEN
Business Journal editor
Dawn J. Sagert, Sioux City Journal
Gov. Terry Branstad, right, speaks at a news conference March 3 in Sioux City while Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, left, and Adam Bruns, managing editor of Site Selection magazine, look on. Branstad and Durham praised an announcement that metro Sioux City tops the magazine’s 2013 rankings of small cities with the most economic development projects.
SIOUX CITY | Metro Sioux City has laid claim to a national economic development title for the second straight year and the fourth time in seven years, The tri-state region shared the No. 1 spot in Site Selection magazine’s annual ranking of small-size metro areas with the most new or expanded corporate projects. Sioux City tied for first with Dubuque, Iowa, and Altoona, Pa., and among areas with populations between 50,000 and
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As President of an office equipment and furniture company, I find my Chamber membership invaluable. It connects me with all of the community’s successful businesses that want my products. The Chamber fights for small businesses, like mine, at the local, state and federal levels. I’m Linda Fickbohm, President of Office Elements. Joining the Chamber makes good business sense. Dave Dreeszen, Sioux City Journal
A $20 million addition to Wells Enterprises Inc.’s South Ice Cream Plant in Le Mars, Iowa, shown above on March 8, is scheduled for completion in June. The expansion was one of the metro Sioux City industrial projects featured in a Site Selection magazine story this month. Sioux City ranked No. 1 in the publication’s 2013 list of the small size metro areas with the most economic projects.
200,000. Each metro city had 14 qualifying projects in 2013, defined as investments of at least $1 million in investment, additions of at least 20,000 square feet and creation of at least 50 new jobs. Adam Bruns, managing editor of Atlanta-based Site Selection, delivered the news to more than 250 local business leaders at May 3 Siouxland Industrial Roundtable luncheon at the Sioux City Convention Center. Gov. Terry Branstad and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, a former Siouxland Initiative president, celebrated the top ranking with the local leaders at the event, sponsored by The Siouxland Initiative. “Getting this honor from Site Selection magazine is a big deal,” Branstad told the audience. The 60-year-old publication’s base of 49,000 subscribers includes professionals who help corporations find the right place to locate and expand, Branstad said. “If you can get the attention of these people, obviously it improves your chances of getting a project or a company in your state,” the Republican governor said at a
“Getting this honor from Site Selection magazine is a big deal.” GOV. Terry Branstad news conference after the luncheon. Site Selection also ranked Sioux City No. 1 in 2007, 2008 and 2012. Bruns said the fact Siouxland has earned the honor four times in the past seven years “speaks to their collective vision and the kind of continuity that gives company decision-makers confidence.” “It also speaks to the region’s ability to turn territorial lines into assets, rather than obstacles – a concept state officials have obviously caught onto,” he said. Site Selection has long sponsored the Governor’s Cup, which ranks the 50 states
Selection, page 6
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We Care for the Employees You Care for
Dawn J. Sagert, Sioux City Journal
Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham speaks May 3 at The Siouxland Initiative’s Industrial Roundtable at the Sioux City Convention Center. Durham and Gov. Terry Branstad were on hand for an announcement that Site Selection magazine has ranked Sioux City No. 1 among small cities with the most economic development projects for the fourth time.
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Selection: Metro Sioux City also won award in 2007, 2008, 2012 from page 5 based on sheer numbers of projects. This year, the publication added a per-capita ranking. Nebraska topped the inaugural category with 109 corporate projects. Iowa was No. 6 with 105 projects. Council Bluffs/Omaha had the highest number of projects among metro areas with 200,000 to 1 million in population, and the Des Moines area was sixth in that category. Durham said the Site Selection honors are another testament to the economic strides the state has made since Branstad began his latest four-year term in January 2011. Since then, she said, employers have invested more than $7.5 billion and created more than 133,000 jobs, helping to reduce Iowa’s unemployment rate to 4.2 percent, the nation’s fifth lowest. During a meeting with the Journal editorial board earlier Monday, Branstad noted that Sioux City is “doing even better” economically than the state as a whole. “I think the focus on economic development here has really paid off,” the governor told the editorial board. The metro area’s recent developments have included CF Industries’ record $1.7 billion expansion of its Port Neal fertilizer
plant and Sabre Industries’ $25.4 million complex at the Southridge Business Park. A story in Site Selection’s March issue and posted online Monday focuses on how a “surging agribusiness economy has given a huge boost” to many employers in the tri-state region. The story focuses on two longtime family-owned firms that have “done execeptionally well” – Blue Bunny maker Wells Enterprises, which built a $20 million addition to its south ice cream plant in Le Mars, and Bomgaars, which is investing $17 million to expand its Sioux City warehouse and distribution center that serves its chain of 66 farm and home stores. Durham said she looks forward to Siouxland building on its latest Site Selection showing. She repeated her desire to see Sioux City and Woodbury County create Iowa’s first certified “mega site” – defined as contigious parcels of at least 1,000 acres close to transportation links where zoning for manufacturing and preliminary environmental testing are already in place. “I really hope the city and county can come together to make that happen,” Durham told the business leaders. “We’re losing deals in this state because we’re not ready for growth, so we need to be more proactive.”
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Mobile app for convenience stores wins top prize at Sioux City Growth’s Innovation Market BY BUSINESS JOURNAL STAFF Sioux City Growth Organization recently announced the winners of the organization’s 2014 Innovation Market contest. This year, the first place $5,000 cash prize went to Blake Anderson and Sean Richardson of Pushlee, developers the patent pending retargeting ad platform for gas stations and convenience stores. The mobile app is currently available for Android phones and will soon be available for iPhones. Currently, Pushlee has more than 100 convenient stores signed up for its beta. “This has been such a
great experience. We feel very strongly about Pushlee and the potential it has. It has already shown early traction. Sean and I are excited that events like the Innovation Market can help us take this even further. We plan to use the prize money to pay for legal fees when filing for our S Corporation or C Corporation so that we can capitalize on the venture capital meetings we have in April,” Anderson said. R i c h a rd s o n a d d e d Sioux City has been very supportive of the entrepreneurs’ efforts. “Blake
and I are very excited to launch Pushlee and bring high paying tech jobs to Sioux City. The city has many great things going for it right now. We are happy to be a part of this movement.” The second place Innovation Market cash prize went to Geoff Arnold for Sioux City Suds, a hometown restaurant and brewery with heart that uses only locally sourced hops to brew the finest beer west of the Atlantic, and meats and produce brought in daily from local farms. The restaurant will have outdoor seating with spectacular views. “When my wife and I first moved here we could
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feel the entrepreneurial spirit in this community. Now to have been here for five months and participated in an event like the Innovation Market, we could not be happier about taking home second place. We have big plans and the fun is just getting started,” Arnold said. Arnold had two ideas make it to the Innovation Market top 5. The other was Nest for Kitchens, an aid in ensuring meat whether in the oven or on the grill cooks at the right temperatures. Other 2014 Innovation Market finalists included Bloomwild, a chemical free skin care product line; and Double
D’s Driving Services, a nightlife transportation company the uses pedicab to connect downtown and folding mopeds to drive you and your car home safely. “This has been the tightest race for the finalists Innovation Market has ever seen,” Innovation Market Co-Chair Becca Feauto said following the March 12 announcement. “All five finalists did an amazing job during their presentations; it sure made voting difficult.” Sioux City Growth was formed in 2002 to encourage young professionals to become active members of the Siouxland community.
Briar Cliff announces business contest winners BY BUSINESS JOURNAL STAFF Local entrepreneurs vied to win grants valued up to $6,400 when pitching their business ideas in the 2014 “Swimming With the Sharks” contest, held Feb. 25 at Briar Cliff University. Winners of the competition, modeled after ABC’s Shark Tank, and the amount of the grants they received, were: Vanessa Wodtke-Bloom, Wild-Soaps, made from goat’s milk, $2,000 Jean Gill, Four Paws Fitness and Rehab, $1,500
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WINNERS, PAGE 31
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Iowa ag sales grow, pass Texas for No. 2 Value of state’s farm products totaled $30.8M in ‘12 Zoe Martin
Iowa Farmer Today
The latest ag census data shows not everything’s bigger in Texas. The recently released 2012 Census of Agriculture preliminary data shows Iowa has passed Texas in total ag sales, second only to California. The value of all products sold by Iowa farmers in 2012 totaled $30.8 million, up nearly 51 percent from the last census in 2007. Iowa also passed Illinois for the second spot in total crop sales and No. 2 in livestock sales.
National Ag Day on March 25 celebrates those economic achievements and the 92,200 Iowa farms and families behind them. “There are thousands of amazing stories that showcase the dedication, hard work, passion, joy, creativity and spirit of Iowa’s farmers,” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said in an email. One way to illustrate those farm stories is through fun facts and figures. For example, Northey said one of the most interesting ag innovations during his career has been the
development of robotic milkers, which are good for dairy farmers and good for Des Moines — the No. 1 large city consumer of milk. Once warm temperatures return, Iowans can celebrate the fact the state ranks fourth in ice cream production. The northwest Iowa city of Le Mars is the self-proclaimed Ice Cream Capital of the World. Wells Enterprises Inc., the makers of Blue Bunny, makes more than 100 million gallons of ice cream per year at its two
www.siouxlandbusinessjournal.com Plymouth Energy LLC executives show Gov. Terry Branstad, right, the company’s Merrill, Iowa, ethanol plant on June 25, 2012. The recently released 2012 Census of Agriculture preliminary data shows Iowa has passed Texas in total agriculture sales, second only to California. The Hawkeye state produces 2 percent of the country’s supply of ethanol, more than twice as much as any other state.
Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal
products, page 12
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From corn and rice to mandarins and pistachios Sioux City firm in demand to build silos, food plants
Younglove Construction LLC History: Founded in 1896 by John Fremont Younglove in Mason City, Iowa; moved to Sioux City in 1908; became a subsidiary of Sioux City-based Klinger Companies Inc. in 1925 Type of contractor: Specializes in the design and construction of bulk materials handling and processing facilities for the grain and food industries. President: Ken DeBois, who succeeds the recently retired Mike Gunsch On the web: www.younglovellc.com
DAVE DREESZEN
Business Journal editor
SIOUX CITY | At a southern California factory, a 311-foot conveyer weighs, inspects and packages 800,000, 3-pound bags of Wonderful Halos per day, or 19 million of the mandarin oranges. The 640,000-square foot complex, the size of 11 football fields, was built two years ago by Younglove Construction for Paramount Citrus, which markets Halos to grocers nationwide. Younglove, a little-known subsidiary of Sioux City-based Klinger Companies Inc., specializes in design and construction of processing and bulk handling facilities for the food and grain industries. Recognized in the industry for its slipform method of concrete construction, Younglove regularly travels the country to work on a wide range of ag-related projects, from grain elevators and ethanol plants to feedmills and seaport terminals. Customers range from small farmer cooperatives to large agri-business conglomerates. In recent years, Younglove has expanded beyond its Midwest roots of building structures to warehouse or mill crops such as corn, soybeans and wheat. Besides Halos, the company has built processing and packaging plants for consumer foods like pasta and pistachios. Rebounding from some lean times during the Great Recession, Younglove has flourished lately, on the strength of an economy fueled by record commodity prices, exports and farm income. From 2011 to 2013. the contractor averaged nearly $90 million in revenue, the best three-year showing in its 118-year history. “The last three years have been very good for us,” said Mike Gunsch, who recently retired as Younglove president after 44 1/2 years with the company. In comparison, Younglove
Submitted photos
A concrete grain silo, above, rises 346 feet into the air, or the equivalent of 20 stories, at United Grain’s terminal at the Port of Vancouver, Wash. The largest slipform tower in North American was built by Sioux City’s Younglove Construction as part of a $72 million expansion of United Grain’s terminal.
reve n u e s we re around $30 million in both 2008 and 2009, in the aftermath of a global financial crisis that plunged the U.S. economy into a Gunsch deep recession. Two years ago, Younglove’s volume hit a record $107 million, as the contractor placed an all-time high of cubic yards of concrete, Gunsch said. During 2012, Younglove completed its largest project ever, a $72 million expansion of United Grain Corp.’s terminal at the Port of Vancouver, Wash. The project created four million bushels of storage to allow the terminal for the first time to export corn and soybeans to Asian. As part of the United Grain project, Younglove built the largest slipform structure in North America – a concrete silo that climbs 346 feet into the air, or the
Younglove Construction of Sioux City is leading a $32 million expansion of Louis Dreyfus Commodities grain terminal, above, in Port Allen, La.
equivalent of 20 stories. With the slipform method, concrete is poured into a continuously moving form. As workers standing on platforms insert
steel reinforcing rods into the wet concrete, hydraulic jacks slowly raise the forms at a rate that permits the concrete to harden by the time it emerges from the bottom
of the form. “It’s a 24 hour-per-day process for as high as you need to go,” Gunsch said. “Sometimes it takes a long as two weeks. Most of them typically take a week.” Younglove was an early slipform pioneer, constructing its first concrete grain elevators in the early 1900s, using crude, hand-jacking systems. For decades afterwards, Younglove also continued to build the wooden grain cribbed structures that gave birth to the company in 1896 in Mason City, Iowa. As the grain elevator business moved west with the railroads, founder John Fremont Younglove relocated the company to Sioux City in 1908. Younglove was later joined in the family business by his sons, Carl and Clyde. After the firm fell on hard times in the early 1920s, Clyde went to work for Sioux City general contractor W.A. Klinger. In 1925, Younglove Construction became a Klinger subsidiary. Klinger founder William A. Klinger asked Carl Younglove to continue managing the Younglove business. Clyde Younglove’s son, Roger, also later ran the company. Gunsch, just the fifth president in Younglove’s history, was succeeded earlier this month by Ken DuBois, who previously served as vice president and has 15 years experience with the company.
Younglove, page 19
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014
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Products: New USDA census shows Iowa farmers raise 19 million hogs, or 28 percent of U.S. total from page 10 Le Mars plants, the most at any one city. In other ag-related products, Iowa takes first place. Iowa’s egg farmers lead the nation in egg production. Hawkeye hens produce one out of every five eggs in the U.S., says the Iowa Egg Council. It’s no wonder Iowans are crazy for bacon (bacon festivals, bacon donuts and good-old bacon cheeseburgers). There are six hogs for every person in Iowa — about 19 million of them or 28 percent of U.S. production. Iowa also has adapted quickly to new farm ventures. There are now more than 4,200 uses for corn. The Hawkeye state produces 2 percent of the country’s supply of ethanol, more than twice as much as any other state, according to the Iowa Farm Bureau. Iowa often ranks first in the nation for soybean production, another crop that shows its versatility. Newspapers developed soybean oil-based ink in 1987, and it’s now an
By the Numbers Each year, Iowa farmers produce:
2.1 billion bushels of corn
525 million bushels of soybeans
3.8 million cattle
20.6 million hogs
8.2 million turkeys
235,000 sheep
4.13 billion pounds of milk
13.8 billion eggs
Source: 2012 Agriculture Census
industry standard (you’re reading soybeans here). It’s also a hit for stamping newborn babies’ feet in hospitals, according to the
National Soy Ink Informational Center. Marsha Laux with Iowa State University’s Extension Value-Added Agriculture
Program said one staff member noted the growing demand for local foods as one of the most-interesting things going on in agriculture. Iowa towns host 200-plus farmers markets that generated $38.4 million in sales in 2009, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture. The state has experienced a 70-percent increase in the number of farmers markets over the past 15 years. The average distance a shopper traveled to the market was nine miles. Iowa is the top state in the nation for the percentage of electricity generated by wind energy at 27.4 percent. The state ranks third for the number of turbines and megawatts produced. Also, Iowa farmers are conscientious about conservation. The state tops CRP enrollment with 13 percent of the total U.S. acres in the program. All the facts add up to a thriving industry — and way of life — for Iowa. Journal business editor Dave Dreeszen contributed to this story.
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014 13
Forecasters predict more soybean acres in 2014 Corn prices fall from record levels, a drop that’s good news for livestock growers, ethanol producers TIM GALLAGHER
Business Journal staff writer
GALVA, Iowa | Dave Joslin sits in his truck on a recent February morning, warming himself while talking on the phone, attempting to make heads or tails of the 2104 corn market. H e ’s m ov i n g livestock this day and trying to figure out how much corn to move. It really is akin to Kassel flipping a coin. “I sold some corn yesterday at $4.50 (per bushel),” says Joslin, who farms several parcels around the Galva and Alta, Iowa, locations. “This morning, pre-opening calls were to go lower, but the last I knew it was fractionally higher.” Joslin, who is moving livestock, knew the high times of $7 to $8 corn wouldn’t last forever. The all-time highs around $8, realized amid the 2012 drought, faded last year, dropping to an average of $4.60 per bushel in Iowa. The plummet mirrored what happened nationally as a $74.3 billion corn crop in 2012 sank 16 percent to $62.7 billion in 2013. The billion-dollar question: What’s the 2014 forecast? Joslin considers the question as the mercury inches into the single digits, the low single digits. Low temperatures below zero have March entering like a lion, leaving the bulls and bears a bit at odds when it comes to the upcoming corn crop. An extended cold snap, according to Joslin, could raise the specter of a late planting season. With frost 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet deep across Siouxland, many farmers may end
up planting soybeans, which are typically planted a few weeks later than corn. Lower corn prices have also directed more interest toward soybeans, which cost less than corn to grow. “I’ve heard there are some switching from corn to beans,” says Paul Kassel, an Iowa State University agronomist based in Spencer, Iowa. “If it’s a really cold March, you could see some of that. If they can get the soybean seed, it’s not that big a deal.” Joslin raises soybeans for seed production, so he’s tied to his 50:50 crop rotation. However, while running one of three semis for Pioneer Seed this winter, he’s been asking farmers from Spencer to Nebraska City, Neb., what their crop intentions may be. “There are some who are switching to beans from cornon-corn, and they’re giving two reasons,” Joslin says. “Number one: Bean prices are holding more steady. Number two: Disease and insect pressure means it’s nice to go back to a different crop.” A Bloomberg report in February showed U.S. farmers may increase soybean planting by 5 percent this spring to a record 80.391 acres. The planting boost coupled with increased production in Argentina and Brazil have contributed to a slump in soybean futures, though the decline hasn’t been as swift, nor as drastic, as corn. The USDA’s February forecast spotted corn at $3.90 per bushel in 2014, a decline from $4.50. Soybeans were forecast at $965 for the upcoming marketing year, down more than $3 from the previous 12-month period.
Tim Gallagher, Sioux City Journal file
Dave Joslin of Galva, Iowa, checks corn in a field five miles south of Quimby, Iowa, in June 2012. Joslin said this sitbeans, page 19 winter’s prolonged cold snap has farmers weighing whether to plant corn or soybeans.
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014
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Community orchard planned for South Sioux City MOLLY MONTAG
Business Journal staff writer
SOUTH SIOUX CITY | Officials soon will be planting the first trees in what will one day be a community orchard on municipal property in South Sioux City. The fruit trees will be planted on a plot of cityowned property next to Scenic Park in April. Officials ordered approximately 200 fruit trees in late February. Planting will take place in a farm field between East 17th Street, a dirt road, and the railroad tracks. The city-owned property is a few hundred feet west of Scenic Park and the riverfront trail system along the Missouri River. Five years from this spring, the trees should be filled with fruit for the community to enjoy free of charge.
Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal file
South Sioux City Parks Director Gene Maffit stands amid trees at Scenic Park Campground on April 19. Maffit oversees the planting of hundreds of trees on city property each year.
The orchard is something South Sioux City Parks Director Gene Maffit has been dreaming about for five years.
“I honestly like planting trees and the trees that bear fruit and give back to the community... That’s even better,” he said. The orchard will include many varieties of apple trees as well as plum, cherry, peach and pear trees. They were chosen for their hardiness in the cold Nebraska winters. Many are of the dwarf or semi-dwarf variety. Smaller trees are easier to maintain, and also less tempting for people to climb, Maffit said. The trees will be planted just west of the intersection of East 17th Street and Riverview Drive. It’s currently a farm field between East 17th and the railroad tracks. The trees will be planted on 3.2 acres of the land. The city owns enough land to plant 1,000 trees, if it wants. The goal was to create an
orchard where community members could pick fresh, free fruit. A local community group is interested in picking fruit at the end of the season to donate to a local food bank, Maffit said. Community gardeners are also in favor of the project, he said. The project was funded by a $20,000 specialty crop grant from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. The grant also funds classes that teach new farmers how to grow and care for orchards. Some of the students plan to start their own orchard and others intend to put their knowledge to use in the community orchard, said Tami Bailey, the city’s grant administrator. The orchard, and a wildlife viewing platform planned on Crystal Cove Lake, is aimed at improving the quality of life for South
Sioux City residents. “These are not run-ofthe-mill things that are normally done by most communities, but at the same time, I think they’re important projects,” Maffit said. The community orchard will fit in nicely with the existing community garden program in South Sioux City, said Library Director Dave Mixdorf. The library hosts monthly garden classes and has a seed-saving group. The latter group raises heirloom vegetables and saves the seeds. It also hosted a tomato contest in 2013. “It provides individuals the opportunity to learn how to raise their own food. Provides individuals with a fresh source of food,” Mixdorf said. “Now with the community gardens and the orchard it gives them a nice balance.”
South Sioux City Community Orchard South Sioux City Parks and Recreation ordered 209 apple and fruit trees to plant in the city’s community orchard on municipal property near Scenic Park. Apple trees: Summer Apple Paula Red Blondie Gala Fuji Golden Delicious Brookfield Gala Cortland Ultra Gold Red Fuji Linda Mac Granny Smith Braeburn Winesap Other fruit trees Montgomery Tart Cherry Bartlett Pear Bubble Gum Red Plum Damson Plum Contender Peach 24c Cold Hardy Peach
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Mega construction S
DAVE DREESZEN
Business Journal editor
ERGEANT BLUFF | Everything about CF Industries’ expansion of its Port Neal fertilizer complex is big, starting with the project’s estimated price tag. The Deerfield, Ill.-based firm expects to spend $1.7 billion, which was the single largest capital investment in Iowa history at the time the mega project was announced Nov. 1, 2012. The expansion is projected to create around 100 permanent jobs, doubling CF’s Port Neal workforce, as well as 7,000 indirect jobs generated through increased activity required to support the larger complex. CF broke ground last fall, starting with moving dirt, laying aggregate and drilling pile. The massive undertaking is scheduled for completion in 2016.
Towering cranes and pile rigs, shown above on March 4, are helping to lay the foundation for a $1.7 billion expansion of CF Industries’ Port Neal complex. The existing nitrogen fertilizer plant is seen in the distance. Dawn J. Sagert photos, Business Journal photo
During the 1 1/2 years of construction, staggering quantities of building materials will be used, according to the company, which put out this list: – Excavating 1.35 million cubic yards of soil, or 33,689 loads on 40-yard dump trucks. If lined up, the trucks would stretch 383 miles, the distance from Sioux City to Madison, Wisc. – Laying of 592,238 tons of stone, sand and gravel, or 394,825 cubic feet. That’s the equivalent of 25,750, 20-yard trucks, stretching the length of 5,150 football fields, or 293 miles, the distance from Sioux City to Iowa City. – Pouring 145,365 cubic yards of concrete, the equivalent of 14,537, 10yard trucks, or an average of 40 trucks per day for an entire year. – Erecting 17,992 tons of structural steel, or the
CF moves forward with $1.7B expansion of Port Neal complex
CF Industries HISTORY: Founded in 1946 as a fertilizer brokerage operation by a group of regional agricultural cooperators. Acquired Sioux Citybased Terra Industries in 2010. HEADQUARTERS: Deerfield, Ill. TICKER SYMBOL: CF. CEO: Tony Will.
combined weight of 5,997 Ford F-250 super cab pickups. – Installing 416,018 feet of pipe. If lined up end to end, the pipes would extend 79 miles, from Port Neal to the Interstate 29’s junction with Interstate 680 in Omaha. Scores of materials and supplies are arriving via truck and rail. But some items are so heavy or bulky that they
NORTH AMERICAN FERTILIZER PLANTS: Port Neal; Courtright, Ontario, Donaldsonville, La.; Medicine Hat, Alberta; Yazoo City, Miss.; and Verdigris and Woodward, Okla. EMPLOYEES: 2,400. ONLINE: cfindustries.com.
will have to be brought up on Missouri River barges. Barges haven’t been used on the waterway locally in about a decade. CF has been building a heavy-duty road to transport the materials from the nearby river to the construction site. The first barges are expected to arrive during the spring navigation season, sometime in May, Port Neal Plant Manager Nick DeRoos said. The cargo will include vessels that weigh as much as 500 tons each and are up to 28
feet in diameter. About 300 construction workers are currently at the job site, located just north of CF’s existing nitrogen plant, and just south of Sioux City. Those numbers are expected to swell to as many as 2,000 during peak construction, anticipated for between January and May 2015. For several months, contractors have been laying the foundation for a series of structures. Despite lengthy spells of subzero temps this past winter, contractors have made good progress on the underground work, DeRoos said. A cluster of towering cranes and pile rigs that dot the landscape. Around 7,000 holes will be drilled, filled with concrete and rebar and fitted with foundations. Both auger cast and Dewaal pile rigs are deployed. The latter is a European-style pile that uses a screw-shaped tool that
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014 17
Pilings for a warehouse under construction at CF Industries Port Neal fertilizer complex are shown March 4. The warehouse, which will hold up to 154,000 tons of granular urea, will be 210 feet wide by 1,702 feet long, or almost a third of a mile.
penetrates dense soil layers without decompressing the soil. The dirt instead is displaced laterally against the side of the hole, strengthening the pile. On another portion of the job site, other crews are building the foundation for a warehouse measuring 210 feet wide and 1,702 feet long, or almost a third of a mile. The warehouse, which will be one of the largest in North America, will store granular urea, a solid nitrogen fertilizer that hasn’t been produced at Port Neal in 20 years. By the middle of the summer, steel beams are expected to start rising up out of the ground, followed by the installation of huge vessels such as distillers and reactors. By July or August, pipe fabrication is expected to begin, he said. Plans call for enclosing the new structures by year’s end, allowing electrical and mechanical work to get under way and continue throughout next winter, he said. The massive project, which will triple the complex’s production of ammonia, the basic building block for nitrogen-based fertilizer products, includes construction of a 2,420-tons per-day ammonia
CF Industries Port Neal Plant Manager Nick DeRoos is shown in his office on March 4 talking about the company’s $1.7 billion expansion of the complex south of Sergeant Bluff.
A fence marks the location of a natural gas pipeline at the CF Industries Port Neal nitrogen fertilizer plant. As part of the $1.7 billion expansion of the complex, Northern Natural Gas agreed to bring in a larger pipeline to serve the plant.
plant and a 3,850-tons-per-day urea synthesis and granulation plant. Port Neal’s ammonia production currently goes toward two liquid nitrogen-based fertilizers, anhydrous ammonia and urea ammonium nitrate solutions, or UAN. Granular urea can be applied separately or mixed with
phosphate or potash fertilizers. The U.S. currently imports more than two-thirds of its urea production, giving CF and other North America manufacturers an incentive to boost domestic production. The added Port Neal production will replace higher-priced fertilizer imported from other
countries, helping farmers in Iowa and other Midwest states save millions of dollars annually. CF, North America’s largest producer and distributor of nitrogen plant nutrients, is spending a combined $3.8 billion to expand production at Port Neal and a facility in Donaldsonville, La. Demand for nitrogen fertilizer, which must be applied to corn and certain other crops to add nutrients to the soil, has surged in recent years as farmers, spurred by rising grain prices, plant more acres. Also playing a key role in CF’s decision to expand: new technologies that extract natural gas from shale rock formations in North America. That’s lowered prices for the fuel, which accounts for about 70 percent of nitrogen production costs. As part of the deal that led to CF expanding at Port Neal, Northern
Natural Gas agreed to bring in a larger pipeline to serve the heavy industrial site. CF hired German-based engineering firm of ThyssenKrupp Uhde to design the Port Neal and Donaldsonville plants and perform other duties, including procurement of specialized equipment. While the construction proceeds, CF is well into the hiring of operators, engineers, millwrights, mechanics, maintenance personnel and other workers to staff the new plant. DeRoos said 92 of the 100-plus positions have been filled. In August, the first class of new operators graduated, allowing them to begin their training before the new plant comes on line. The new jobs start at average salaries of $55,000, and increase to about $85,000 after the workers complete certification.
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014
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BusinessPeople Alorica honors North Sioux workers
in 2007. Jessen joined Alorica in 2007 as a customer service NORTH SIOUX CITY agent. She has served as an | Alorica in North Sioux operations manager and City recognized several currently is a team manager. e m p l oye e s Glasco came to Alorica in for receiv2008 as a customer service agent. He was promoted to ing Power of Service trainer in 2008. awards for the third Siouxland foundation quarter of names 2014 board 2013. Receiving Reiss S I OUX C I T Y | T h e recognition Siouxland Community are Jessica Foundation recently elected Reiss, Danofficers, committee chairs ielle Cain, and new board members for Sharon 2014. Wittrock, Matthew Faith MarJ . B a sye , FEH Astin, JenniCain sociates, fer Jessen was elected a n d M i ke president of Glasco. the board. Re i s s, O t h e r Cain and Basye elected ofWittrock are customficers and members of the Executive Commiter service agents who Wittrock tee include Vice President a re b e i n g and Investment Commitrecognized tee Co-Chair Richard J. for their Dehner, Northwestern continued Mutual; Secretary Mariperformance lyn J. Hagberg, Security National Bank Trust Deand attaining the highpartment; Treasurer Paul est level of Martin A. Bergmann, Long Lines; metric perGrant Review Committee formances. Chair Charles A. KnoepThe folfler, Knoepfler Chevrolet; lowing manMarketing/Development agers were Committee Chair Rebecca recognized L. Krohn; Investment/ a s Powe r Finance Committee Coof Service Chair Garrett K. Smith, winners for Jessen American Pop Corn Co.; their continand Past President Lesley ued ability M. Bartholomew, Wells to provide Enterprises Inc. a high level Newly elected to the o f coa c h board are Mary E. Aning and dederson, Great West Casualty Co.; John Baker, velopment C.W. Suter Services; Ret o t h e i r Glasco team, which nee M. Beaulieu, TECequips their agents with the CORP/Thompson Electric; tools to be successful. Amanda Beller, Windows Martin began her career America; Kathy Gunderat Alorica in 2006 as a cus- son, Gunderson Jewelers; tomer service agent and was Nancy Kent, Professional promoted to team manager Pool & Spa; and Peggy E.
Smith, Wells Enterprises. Remaining on the board are Marie L. Buckley, Community Volunteer; Todd E. DeMoss, Wells Fargo Bank; Lance D. Ehmcke, Heidman Law Firm; Robert W. Houlihan, Houlihan & Associates; Matthew J. Lawler, F&M Wealth Management; Michael H. Prosser, King, Reinsch, Prosser & Co and Pam Miller, College Center. Retiring board members Karen B. Clark, Thorpe & Co. Jewelers; Robert F. Meis, Berenstein Law Firm; Barbara F. Orzechowski, Klass Law Firm; Leon Rozeboom, Liberty National Bank; Laura Schiltz, Auto Trader.com; Dr. Richard G. Wagner (retired) Wagner, Johnson & Rasmus PC and Charese E. Yanney, Guarantee Roofing & Siding Co. were recognized at the Annual Meeting for their years of service on the Board of Directors. The Siouxland Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Siouxland by receiving and administering tax-deductible contributions to build endowments for the long-term benefit of the tri-state region.
U.S. Bank employee honored SIOUX CITY | Nicole Berner, commercial banking relationship manager at U.S. Bank’s Sioux City location at 501 P ierce St., has earned the company’s fourth quarBerner ter Pinnacle Award. The award recognizes the top 20 percent of performing employees nationwide. U.S. Bank is the nation’s fifth largest commercial bank.
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Wonderful Halos are weighed, inspected and packaged at Paramount Citrus’ factory in Delano, Calif. Paramont Citris’ packaging and processing plant, the size of 11 football fields, is one of many large-scale food facilities built by Younglove Construction, a subsidiary of Sioux Citybased Klinger Companies Inc. Submitted
Younglove: Firm’s revenue grows from page 11 Gunsch, who joined Younglove as a project engineer after graduating from Iowa State University in 1969, was promoted to vice president of project management 1979, executive vice president in 1988 and president in 2007. He succeeded Mike Rueckert, who served as president from 1975 to 2007. The company grew rapidly and diversified its business model during Gunsch’s more than four decades with the firm.. In the 1970s, Younglove’s customer base began to change from small Midwest cooperatives to large agribusinesses such as ConAgra Foods and Archers Daniel Midland. Younglove, which built scores of the grain elevators that dot the countryside, also started to construct more feed mills for hog, chicken and turkey operations. In 1988, the company built its first pasta plant, for American Italian Pasta Co. The opportunity arose after the industry started to move flour milling and pasta production to a single, integrated site. Younglove has since done 12 projects for American
Italian, makers of such pasta brands as Mueller’s, Golden Grain, Heartland, Anthony’s and Martha Gooch. The pasta plants are spread out across the country, in Arizona, Missouri, South Carolina and Wisconsin Gunsch said Younger has benefited from other repeat business over the years. Younglove, for instance, is currently building a twostory addition to Paramount Citrus’ office adjoining its Halo factory in Delano, Calif. Younglove also led the 2011 construction of Paramount’s pisatachio processing and packaging plant in Lost Hills, California. Other big-ticket Younglove projects include a $30 million expansion of a rice drying complex for Producers Rice Mill in Stuttgart, Ark., and a $32 million expansion of Louis Dreyfus Commodities grain terminal in Port Allen, La. Over the years, Younglove has done work in 36 of the lower 48 states, but few projects in Sioux City or the immediate tri-state region. That’s contributed to Younglove’s low profile in its hometown. “The vast majority of people do not know who Younglove is,” W.A. Klinger President John Gleeson said.
“We can not be more proud of the work they’ve done over the years.” Gleeson noted that Younglove buys considerable materials and other supplies from local vendors. Younglove has 18 employees based in Klinger’s Sioux City office building, which includes executives, project managers and the design group. In a typical year, Younglove takes on about 10 projects, Gunsch said. Each is assigned to a project superintendent, who works on it from start to finish. Some of the construction workers travel from town to town, while others are hired locally, Gunsch said. The numbers fluctuate from year to year, depending on the total amount of work and size of the projects. In the record-breaking 2012, more than 800 were on the payroll. In 2008, when jobs were scarce, the number of workers fell below 150. Of the seven projects Younglove has on the docket for 2014, four are in Iowa. They include a corn processing plant in Glidden, a turkey feed mill in Ellsworth, a feed ingredient plant in Shell Rock and a hog feed mill in Oskaloosa.
Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014 19
Soybeans: Area hog production expected to rise as feed costs fall from page 13 “Did we ever think we’d see $7 corn for an extended period?” Joslin asks. “That couldn’t last forever.” While grain farmers reaped the benefits of higher grain prices the past few years, cash rent moved upward, as did input costs and prices for equipment. Even consumers paid more for products at the grocery store, as makers of cereals, breads and other products passed on expenses. Joslin hopes he’ll see a correction in his expenses as grain revenue returns to lower levels. He chuckles while making the remark, adding he has his doubts. “Rents and inputs were high, but we could justify them with high corn,” Joslin says. “Our rents and inputs basically stayed the same, our machinery costs haven’t gone down, and so now the expenses are just as high, but corn is $4. Something will have to change.” The bright side, though, can be seen in livestock and ethanol, industries that fare much better as corn prices drop. Joslin markets his corn to ethanol plants in three Northwest Iowa communities: Marcus, Galva and Arthur. He also feeds corn to hogs he’s raised for 36 years. He used to raise cattle, but got out several years ago. Joslin predicts an expansion in hogs, locally. And then, a few will get out as more hogs hit the market and prices level off. Some hog producers continue to fight the effects of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, or PEDV, a
Tim Gallagher, Sioux City Journal file
Lee Riessen, 18, measures corn that stretches to 64.5 inches on July 2 at his parents’ farm five miles north of Ida Grove, Iowa. A 2013 bumper crop helped drive corn prices from all-time highs in 2012 to around $4.50 per bushel in 2014.
virus that seems to have spread east to west across Iowa, according to Joslin. Canada reported its first case in late January. The virus, according to various reports, suggests as many as 1 million baby pigs in Iowa alone have died in the past 12 month, likely due to PEDV. The virus breaks out and producers lose pigs for two to three weeks. Hog farmers may battle the lull in production by keeping pigs on feed longer, adding 5 to 8 pounds of finish weight.
“I do see the livestock market staying strong,” Joslin adds. Because of that, he’ll continue to raise his corn and soybeans, working with son Justin Joslin, 24. And they’ll continue to market the corn to the area ethanol plants, believing in a local product that fuels the economy in more ways than one. “I would hate to think what we’d be like without ethanol using up our large supplies of corn,” Joslin says. “Without them, we’d be down to $2 corn.”
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Boykin honored by Siouxland Community Health Center SIOUX CITY | George Boykin is being honored at the Siouxland Community Health Center’s annual progressive dinner April 12. Boykin is being recognized for his role in establishing the community health center in 1992. Boykin is a native of South Sioux City and is the Wood- Boykin bury County Board chairman, where he has served for seven terms. He has been executive director at the Sanford Community Center for 45 years and previously was a member of the Sioux City school board.
for financial planners, who have to pass rigorous tests and agree to follow integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when dealing with clients. Sterk Financial Services was founded in 2004.
Development Inc. The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc. provides national leadership in maintaining the integrity of the Trail and its story through stewardship, scholarship, education, partnership and cultural inclusiveness.
Security firm honors Sioux City worker
Houzz honors Modern Kitchen official
SIOUX CITY | Per Mar Security Services announces that Eric Haub, e l e c t ro n i c security i n te g ra te d technician in Sioux City, is an annual Haub President’s Award winner. The award recognizes exceptional service, demonstrated dedication and overall commitment to his role in 2013.
SIOUX CITY | Breezy Struthers Drake of Modern Kitchen Design of Sioux City, IA has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” by Houzz, a national platform for home remodeling Struthers and design. Drake The family-owned and operated design firm was chosen by the more than 16 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community. The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2013. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 16 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 230 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app. Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2014” badge on their profiles. The badges help homeowners identify popular and toprated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.
Boys Club announces Poole’s Lewis & Clark board, officers article published SIOUX CITY | The Boys Club of Sioux City re-elected officers and appointed new board members at its 45th annual meeting and luncheon on Jan. 15. President John Olson, Vice President Jim Palmer, Treasurer Larry Countryman and Secretary Beau Braunger were re-elected. New board members include Joe Durham, Jack Ehrich, Scott Gerkin, Dr, Terry Murrel, Jenn Pavone, Col. Brian Miller and Tom Betz.
Bankey gets Certified Financial Planner title DAKOTA DUNES | Kelsey Bankey, of Sterk Financial Services, has earned the Certified Financial Planner designation. Bankey is a paraplanner for Sterk. The CFP mark is the highest level designation
SIOUX CITY | “Sioux City Road Trip,” an article by Marcia Poole, appears in the February issue of “We Proceeded On,” the official publication of the Lewis a n d C l a rk Trail Heri- Poole tage Foundation. The article, published by Washington State University Press, traces the Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center’s life, from its September 2002 opening through the 2007 construction of the adjoining Betty Strong Encounter Center to its present and permanent mission. Poole is the director of the center, which was built and is sustained by Missouri River Historical
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014 21
Wellness programs offer long-term benefits As we think about the last 12 months, the word Blue Zones has become part of our vocabulary. It was very exciting for me to see Mercy become a designated Blue Zones site. Many businesses in our community have become designated blue zones sites. What does this mean for worksites? Blue Zones worksites maintain work environments that provide and encourage employee wellbeing. This is vital and will make a difference in the future of health care. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) urge Congress to support new policies aimed at delivering healthier seniors into Medicare and other government entitlement programs by strengthening health and wellness programs in the workplace. Evidence is mounting that effective programs, when properly
Home & Office Deb Twyford
managed and sustained, can help reduce the incidence and burden of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which are driving up the costs of Medicare and other entitlement programs. In a special briefing for members of the Congressional Wellness Caucus, leaders from ACOEM described a system in which stronger emphasis would be placed by employers on helping workers avoid these chronic conditions while they are still employed—thus lessening the chance that they would enter
the Medicare system hampered by disease. ACOEM says such a system presents a win-win: Employers would benefit from lowered medical and productivity costs, while the government’s long-term health costs would be reduced. Individual workers benefit from improved quality of life through better health. As companies search for ways to control healthcare costs, and improve wellbeing of their employees, the value of keeping employees healthy has become evident to everyone. Many companies are turning to biometric screens, fitness classes in the work place and health coaching as a way to improve their employee’s health. Biometric health screens have become very common in the workplace. Wellness screening baseline numbers have proven to be powerful information to get employees to make healthy
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lifestyle changes. Basic biometric screens include: cholesterol and glucose check, blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, health risk appraisal and results explanation. There is power in knowing your numbers, prevention is key to good health; which results in dollars saved. Other wellness screening tools may include: – Body composition – Three minute step test – Flexibility, sit and reach – Bone density screen – Derma Scan – Fitness classes in the workplace Healthy lifestyle changes do not happen overnight, this takes time and commitment. Participants need to be encouraged to take small steps to make big changes in their life. By taking small steps they avoid being overwhelmed. Most businesses who provide
biometric screens and health coaching for their employees offer a biometric screen annually, this gives employees a good idea of what they need to work on, followed by quarterly health coaching. This gives an opportunity to set three month goals. Some companies offer incentives for their employees, such as cash awards for meeting goals, monies towards gym memberships, decreased premiums on health insurance for employees meeting criteria to avoid metabolic syndrome. Sources: health-e-headlines Corporate Health Report/ March 2014 and my experience as an RN and health coach For more information about Mercy Business Health Services, worksite wellness programming, contact Deb Twyford, RN Worksite Wellness, Intrinsic Coach®, at 712-274-4334 or twyfordd@ mercyhealth.com.
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Musculoskeletal pain creates challenges for unhealthy workforce Chronic musculoskeletal pain affects at least 116 million adult workers, just over one third of today’s workforce, in the United States each year. That means one in three people reading this article are dealing with stiffness, pain, numbness, tingling, or loss of strength that has affected work productivity or quality of life. Musculoskeletal pain may cause missed work, restricted work duty, or made duties difficult to perform. It also affects activities of daily living such as attitude and energy level, ability to sleep, sit or drive, and the quality of time spent with family and friends. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report released June 29, 2011, chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions cost between $560 and $635 billion dollars annually in medical and economic costs. “It is clear that pain is a major public health problem in America,” said Phillip Pizzo, of Stanford University School of Medicine in an Institute of Medicine news release. “All too often, the prevention and treatment
health condition, missed an estimated 450 million additional days of work each year, compared to healthy workers (BMI 18.5 to 24.9). Locally, the tri-state area ranks high in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. For 2013, Iowa ranked 10th, NeERik Nieuwenhuis braska 3rd, and South Dakota 2nd. The state rankings are compiled from a daily survey measuring key aspects such as physical and emotional health, healthy of pain are delayed, inaccessible, or in- behaviors, work environment, social and community factors, financial security, adequate.” and access to necessities such as food, Chronic musculoskeletal pain risks shelter and healthcare. have increased as 86 percent of fullUnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s has time workers in the United States are seen a 76 percent reduction of OSHA now overweight or obese, or have at least one chronic health condition such recordable musculoskeletal disorders as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, (MSDs) in employees involved in patient high cholesterol, asthma, or depression. care tasks from 2001 to 2012. During this same time frame, experiencing a 77 This was reported by Gallup-Healthpercent reduction in “days on work reways Well-Being Index® published in striction,” and a 50 percent reduction of October 2011. This pain is leading to injuries requiring days away from work an estimated lost productivity cost of (or lost time). $153 billion annually. Overweight (BMI These reductions are, in part, be>25), obese (BMI >30) employcause of the adoption of the IMPACC ees, or those with at least one chronic
Business Know How
Industrial Athlete WorkSmart Program at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s. In order to do this, a review of the workplace ergonomics was completed to make sure the tools and equipment are used correctly and laid out in the best format for the staff. Employees are taught Personal Ergonomics, focusing on their posture and body mechanics. Additional education is done to teach employees musculoskeletal self-care techniques such as ice massage, friction massage and trigger point release; and continuously encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. Being pro-active and not reactive to prevent MSD injuries can result in savings in health care expenses, workers compensation costs, and a more productive workforce. The goal is to work smarter, not harder. Erik Nieuwenhuis is the employee health and wellness WorkSmart ergonomics injury prevention specialist and wellness consultant at UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s. Contact him at 712-279-1842 or erik.nieuwenhuis@unitypoint.org
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014 23
BusinessPeople Mercy providers earn national designation SIOUX CITY | Dr. Rodney Cassens and Physicians Assistant Micheal Bobier, providers at Mercy Business Health Services, 3500 Singing Hills Blvd., recently earned their designation as National Certified Medical Examiners. The designation will allow them to perform
physical qualification examinations for truck and bus drivers. The providers were required to complete training and testing on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) physical qualifications, standards and guidelines and be listed on the National Registry. New federal regulations require all healthcare
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providers performing DOT driver health exams to be a certified medical examiner, beginning in May.
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014
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Farmers Mutual Insurance Association ChamberAnniversaries Main Office: 712-439-1722 or 800-462-6604 1010 Main Street, Hull, IA
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The following are observing anniversaries as Siouxland Chamber of Commerce investors.
March anniversaries 5 years
Camp High Hopes Ali Langseth Sioux City Condon Auto Sales & Service Mark Condon Sioux City D2 Tony Olson North Sioux City Farmers Insurance District Office Herbie Shreve Sioux City GiGi’s Playhouse – Sioux City Daniell Bargstadt Sioux City
10 years
Allied Solutions LLC Peg Reinking Dakota Dunes C & S Communications Inc. Curt Friedrichsen
Sioux City Rooster’s Harley Davidson John Roost Sioux City Sterk Financial Services Mary Sterk Dakota Dunes
25 years
Dave’s Glass Co. David Smith Sioux City
30 years
Helvig Agricultural Service Co. Douglas Helvig Sioux City, IA
35 years
Cable ONE Ray Ness Sioux City, IA
15 years
Day’s Door & Millwork Co. Larry Day Sergeant Bluff Lester Juon Dakota Dunes The Food Bank of Siouxland Linda Scheid Sioux City
20 years
April anniversaries 5 years
ChamberInvestors Candlewood Suites Henry Byl, owner 4720 Southern Hills Drive Sioux City, IA 51106 F&M Bank – Sioux City Jared Noteboom, branch manager 930 3rd St. Sioux City, IA 51101
Iwire Electronics Chris Lambertsen Sioux City State Farm Insurance/Sterne Akin Sterne Akin Sioux City WNAX AM/FM Bill Holst Yankton, SD
Goodin Insurance Agency – Sloan Jake Goodin – Manager PO Box 2 Sloan, IA 51055 McClure Engineering Company Michael Washburn – Office/ Project Manager 613 Pierce St. Suite 201 Sioux City, IA 51101
Siouxland Animal Hospital Steven Merritt Sioux City
Oakleaf Real Estate Management/Martin Tower Jessica Barkley – Accounting Manager 1309 Nebraska St. Sioux City, IA 51105 United Real Estate Solutions Shari Moon – Realtor 302 Jones St. Suite 100 Sioux City, IA 51101
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014 25
OnTheMove SIOUX CITY | Dave Brown has been named Sioux City market president for Heritage Bank. Brown has n ea rly 3 0 years of agr i c u l t u ra l , mortgage and risk m a n a g e - Brown ment experience in the financial industry, 15 of which were in the Sioux City market. At Heritage, he will be in charge of developing a team of commercial bankers and mortgage lenders. “Serving the needs of the Sioux City market, Dave’s experience in Business Banking and Mortgage Lending will be invaluable,” Heritage Bank CEO Tom Geiger said. “His skills will be a natural fit to our mission.” Brown has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota. He and his family are looking forward to returning to the area. Heritage Bank has offices in Morningside and downtown Sioux City. The community bank serves Northwestern Iowa and Central Minnesota.
Three join Nichols, Rise SSC office SOUTH SIOUX CITY | Nichols, Rise & Co. L.L.P. announces the addition of three accountants to its South Sioux City office Corey Moss, CPA, Danielle Brown, CPA and Kendra O’Dell. Moss, a Siouxland native, graduated East High School in 2006 and Dordt College in 2010. Prior to joining Nichols, Rise, he worked for a regional CPA firm in Onawa, Iowa, where his industry experience included
manager at the VA Clinic, and finally managing customer service for the medical center and clinic network. She also worked as an administrator for a local family practice clinic, and provided services as office assistant, nurse aide, housekeeper and laundry aide at Prairie Estates Care Center. She also was an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force. She earned her bachelor of science degree in business administration from Bellevue University in 2000. Pirner, who resides in Sioux City, is married to Pet hotel names Pirner. They have operations director Randy four children and two NORTH SIOUX CITY grandchildren. | Jackie Loghry Pirner has joined The Dogwood Sioux City Ford Pet Honames new GM tel and Day S pa , 1 2 0 0 SIOUX CITY | Chad MurNorth Shore ray has been named general Drive, Mcmanager of Sioux City Ford Cook Lake, Lincoln. as director Murray, a Sioux City nao f o p e ra tive, managed the dealerPirner tions. ship’s service department Further enhancing pet for seven years. He had boarding, daycare, training, worked as an auto technigrooming, and transpor- cian for 10 years. tation options at McCook The business is entering its 10th year in Sioux City Lake, She oversees a and is projecting growth. 30,000-square-foot facilNearly 100 work at the ity that features pet house business. suites and playgrounds equipped with webcams, Marcy of Dimes names and manages 20 staff community director members. Loghry Pirner previousSIOUX CITY | Amy ly worked at StoneyBrook Phimmasane has been Suites Assisted Living in named community direcDakota Dunes for three tor for Siouxland March of years as an administrator. Dimes. She worked at St Luke’s RePhimmasane has been a gional Medical Center for volunteer for the organizanearly 11 years, providing tion for the past two years. a wide variety of primary She will be in charge of the care services as an office March for Babies Walk on coordinator, then as clinic April 26 and the Signature manager at Siouxland In- Chefs Auction in October. ternal Medicine, Northwest A Siouxland native, PhimIowa Physical Medicine & masane graduated from Rehab, Preventive Medi- South Sioux City High cine, sub-contract clinic School 2006 and received healthcare, specifically nursing facilities and farming. Brown, a native of Corsica, S.D., graduated from Northwestern College in 2010. Prior to joining Nichols Rise, she interned and worked at the FDIC as a bank auditor. O’Dell, a South Sioux City native, graduated from South Sioux High School and Briar Cliff University. Corey and Danielle are members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants.
her B.S. d e g re e i n human resource management from Wayne State College Phimmasane in 2010. She is involved in a number of groups and boards throughout the region.
School foundation names director SIOUX CITY | The Sioux City Public Schools Foundation announce its recent appointment of Mike Jorgensen as director of development. He will oversee the fundraising efforts and daily operations of the foundation. Jorgensen has over 19 years of development experience. Most recently, he was development director at Siouxland H a b i ta t fo r H u m a n ity. Jorgensen also worked at Briar Cliff University and Morningside College. A lifelong Sioux City resident, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Briar Cliff. The Sioux City Public Schools Foundation develop resources to enrich the educational experience of students in the school district
Commercial, Industrial Refrigeration
Veteran banker returns to Sioux City
in ways that exceed those co-sponsor provided by taxpayer dollars. o f S a c re d Heart Health Mercy Sioux City Sy s t e m ’s ICD-10 imappoints finance VP plementaSIOUX CITY | Hugh J. tion and a DePaulis has been appoint- team mem- DePaulis ed vice president of finance ber of the for Mercy Medical Center- Florida Medicaid Hospital Sioux City. The announce- Reimbursement Workgroup. ment was made by Mercy DePaulis has previous President and CEO Bob professional experience Peebles and Rod Schlader, within the CHE/Trinity regional CFO, CHE/Trinity Health system as he served Health. at St. Joseph’s Mercy OakDePaulis most recently land in Pontiac, Mich., served as the vice president and at St. Joseph Mercy of finance at Sacred Heart Macomb in Mt. Clemens, Health System in Pensacola, Mich., as well as at the DeFla. He held responsibilities troit Medical Center (DMC). for three separate hospitals DePaulis holds a MSM and a physician medical degree in healthcare mangroup, all members of the agement from Troy UniverAscension Health Sys- sity and a BBA from Eastern tem, the largest non-profit Michigan University. He health system in the United and his wife April will be relocating to Siouxland in States. He was also an executive early March.
Celebrating achievements.
Anniversaries
Find forms and guidelines for submitting your announcements.
www.siouxcityjournal.com/app/announcements
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Mercy Medical Center hosted the Siouxland Chamber Business After Hours in honor of heart month on Feb. 20. Mercy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jerome Pierson welcomed the guests while Dr. Rauf Subla introduced the Mercy Cardiology and Mercy Cardiothoracic surgeons
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Walgreens hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 26 to mark the opening of the pharmacy chain’s new Sioux City location on the corner of Hamilton Boulevard and 18 Street.
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014 27
Making ing Lif Life Great. For you and the community. Living up to the philosophy of “Making Life Great” is what gets us out of bed in the morning. It’s more than a phrase, it’s what we do for our customers and our communities. It’s what we do each and every day, and we’re excited to Make Life Great in Sioux City.
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014
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IF THE NUMBERS HAD A VOTE, THEY’D EXPAND HERE.
PHOTO C O OUR UR T ESSY Y OF SIO OU UX X C I T Y EC CO ON NOM OMIC DE V ELOP PM M
Numbers don’t lie. Iowa has one of the nation’s lowest costs of doing business. We’re a right-to-work state with a cost of living that’s below the national average. Ours is an environment built for businesses to prosper. It’s why our advanced manufacturing exports are up 179%. Why the growth of our bioscience companies has far outpaced the nation. Why we’re home to over 94,000 of the nation’s most savvy finance and insurance pros. Why our diverse economy is third in the nation in job growth. Dig more into the numbers at iowaeconomicdevelopment.com. With numbers like these, no wonder we’re “Iowa Nice”. iowaeconomicdevelopment.com
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RibbonCuttings
Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014 29
photos courtesy of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce
Springboard Coworking hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 5 to mark its opening in the second floor of the Fourth & Jackson Building downtown. The business offers shared office space for entrepreneurs, freelancers, startups, small businesses and any form of career nomad looking for space for collaboration.
Power Wash USA, located along Floyd Boulevard, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 11. The new business offers three convenient car wash options.
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014
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Homes & Lending hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 18 to mark the opening of its new Sioux City location on Gordon Drive. Oz is a locally-owned real estate company.
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Goodin Insurance in Sergeant Bluff hosted a ribbon-cutting on Feb. 12. The local, familyowned, independent agency has established relationships with several insurance agencies which allow them to tailor your insurance coverage to your specific needs, and ensure the best rates possible.
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Siouxland Business Journal, April 2014 31
Convergys acquires Sergeant Bluff call center NICK HYTREK
At a glance
Business Journal staff writer
SERGEANT BLUFF | Customer management services giant Convergys has completed its $820 million acquisition of Stream Global Services, which operates a Sergeant Bluff call center. The purchase, announced in January, is expected to bring Convergys’ annual revenue to more than $3 billion, making it the largest U.S. provider of outsourced business resources and second-largest such firm in the world. Stream spokesman Joe Thornton said the deal will mean few changes in Sergeant Bluff in the short term. “Our people will continue serving the same great clients and we will continue to
Stream Global Services, which has a call center in Sergeant Bluff, has been acquired by Convergys. A spokesman said the deal will mean few changes for Sergeant Bluff in the short term.
Sioux City Journal file
The Sergeant Bluff Stream Global Services call center is shown in an undated photo. Convergys recently closed on a deal to acquire Stream.
create career opportunities The deal could mean fufor hundreds of people here ture growth at the Sergeant – and our local leadership Bluff site, Thornton said. remains stable,” Thornton The local center at 102 said in an email. Sergeant Square Drive does
not publicly identified its clients. In the past, they have included Fortune 100 firms that deal in financial services, satellite radio, apparel, consumer electronics and entertainment. Based in Cincinnati, Convergys now has 125,000 employees working out of more than 150 locations in 31 countries, speaking 47 languages. The closest is in Omaha. The company has a
significant presence in India with offices across New Delhi, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune and Thane. Eagan, Minnesota-based Stream, which has 40,000 employees, provides customer relationship management services in 22 countries and 35 languages. In January, Convergys said it would acquire Stream for $820 million, with $400 million in cash and a $350 million loan from Citigroup Global Markets Inc and BofA Merrill Lynch, as well as existing credit lines. Convergys’ said Stream’s complementary client portfolio will also diversify its client base with the addition of technology, entertainment and communications clients.
“We are excited to welcome Stream to Convergys,” said Andrea Ayers, president and CEO of Convergys, in a news release. “We believe our shared focus on exceptional client service, operational expertise, and world-class talent will enable us to quickly integrate and leverage our expanded reach for the benefit of clients, employees, and shareholders.” {span}Stream opened its Sergeant Bluff call center in the Pioneer Mall in September 2006. Local business leaders recruited Stream to replace a 600-employee call center the former MCI closed after it was bought by Verizon Communications. Journal business editor Dave Dreeszen contributed to this story.
Winners: Briar Cliff hosts annual ‘Swimming With Sharks’
from page 9 Mark Samuelson and Donna Samuelson, Perry Hills Aronia berries, $1,000 Blake Anderson, Pushlee, consumer app for retail specials, $800 Anthony Rossi, Double
D’s Driving Service, designated driving service and pedicabs, $500 Michael Billings, Pure Retirement, retirement withdrawals using Dwolla, $200 J i l l Guericke-
Skillander, specialized skillet, $200 Ryan Martinez, city government/citizen communication app, $200 The contestants, who ranged from college students to local business
owners, had 10 minutes their business ideas to a panel of local business experts. The judges included Dave Bernstein, officer and co-owner of State Steel, President, Saturday in the
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Park; Dustin Pratt, analyst, Avalon Capital, entrepreneur and founder, Solid Rock Clothing, LLC; David Gleiser, director, Woodbury County Economic Development; Rhonda Capron, Sioux City Council; Sam
Wagner, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce; and Aaron Langworth, Sam’s Club. The competition was part of Entrepalooza, a weeklong schedule of events celebrating entrepreneurial spirit in Siouxland.
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NEW
NEW
CONGRATS MBA, CCIM
President
Congratulations to McClure Engineering on the opening of its 6th regional office, but its first in Siouxland. This transaction was brokered by Chris Bogenrief.
Vice President
401 Douglas
613 Pierce, Suite 201
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New pricing & extensive updates at MidAmerican Energy, one of Siouxland’s highest quality & most full service office bldgs. Over 12,000 sf of amenities. Incredible views of Missouri River & expansive interior atrium.
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1551 Hills Drive 1704Indian Hwy 75 North
87,556 sf neighborhood shopping center for sale. Abundant parking. 25,608 sf former grocery store can be subdivided for lease &/or purchased separately. 747 sf space for lease.
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Colonel Krage
712-251-1451
2425 Blvd. of Champions
1201 4th Street
Sale consists of 59,167 sf retail strip center, 5,740 sf China Star restaurant, 8,000 sf Advance Auto Parts store & 42,417 sf Taco Bell land lease. Lots of parking. 8,112 sf & 5,310 sf spaces for lease.
Fully insulated warehouse measuring 60’x60’ & has two 14’x12’ overhead doors. Equipped w/floor drains, in-floor heat, 2 offices, full bathroom & 2 acres of parking.
Great retail or office location on the east entrance of Historic 4th Street w/33 off-street parking spaces. For sale or lease.
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3215 Gordon Drive Nathan Connelly
712-203-1620
301 21st Street
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Fully rented 15 unit brick bldg w/newer rubber roof. Gas & electric individually metered. Fire alarm system & video surveillance in the halls, plus coin-op laundry.
2105S.St.Mary’sStreet Former beauty shop right off of Transit Ave w/store front on S. St. Mary’s Street. The bldg includes a basement, kitchen & 1/2 bathroom. Property to be sold as is.
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607-11 Pearl Street
4301 Sergeant Road, Suite 200
1704 Hwy 75 North
Fully leased 9,250 sf downtown retail store plus 4-2nd floor apartments. Good investment. Storefront recently upgraded. Financials available upon request. Attractive price.
Very nice 853 sf office in Central Professional Center, lots of parking & across from So. Hills Mall. Large exec. office plus one office, reception, waiting area & storage/copy room. Only $750/mo plus utilities.
Free-standing commercial bldg w/high exposure & lots of pkng. North 2,100 sf leased for $900/ mo. South 3,600 sf @ $1,300/ mo. leased. Available for investment sale.
302 Jones, suIte 100, sIoux CIty