Superior Machine Expands to Ottumwa

After several months of negotiations, Superior Machine has finalized the purchase of property near the Ottumwa Armory at 150 Fox Sauk Rd. Facilitating the sale between property broker Tom Lielich of CBRE Realty in Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Superior Machine Inc. President Benjamin Van Loon, GOPIP VP Sharon Stroh confirmed the closing on September 28. Having already been in the industry for 27 years, Superior Machine is prepared to begin the next stage of their growth in Ottumwa, with headquarters remaining in Albia. Superior provides CNC machining, laser and bending, welding & fabrication, paint & finishing and turnkey assembly to customers throughout Iowa and surrounding states. Total cost of building purchase and infrastructure improvements total approximately $4 million in new investment.  

Superior Machine’s search for a new location in Ottumwa started in 2018, but got serious quickly in 2021 when manufacturing facilites began filling and inventory became more competitive. Their new location formerly warehoused product for Pioneer Seed until their merger with DuPont to create Corteva. The location had been only partially full for the past three years.  

Superior Machine began in 1994 by Ben’s father Kevin with just himself, one CNC lathe, and 7,000 square feet. He sold the company to Ben in January of 2018. Today, with the Ottumwa addition, there are over 320,000 square feet under roof and over 100 employees. The new General Manager for Ottumwa location will be Jeremiah Johnson, originally from this area, returning to Iowa from the Detroit region. He begins his duties in November. Johnson will oversee plant improvements and installation of robotic cells and new equipment for more precise manufacturing output.

“The manufacturing sector is seeing a new wave of industrial automation and smart technology, known as Industry 4.0, and Superior Machine is demonstrating their commitment to this next wave of the industrial revolution by including collaborative and autonomous robotics and equipment for process improvements at the Ottumwa location” says Stroh.

Van Loon says he is excited to be expanding into Ottumwa and hopes to attract talented people with a drive to be the best at what they do while making American-Made products. Their mission revolves around a dedication to quality and quantity. “I started myself on the shop floor and have progressed through every position there is, knowing what we can do and how to do it well. Superior treats their people based on the Golden Rule” adds Van Loon.

Superior Machine Inc. is prepared and ready to accept aplications for employment in Ottumwa, while training in Albia. Superior prefers in-person applicants,and are seeking machine operators, lathe and mill leads and supervisors. Pay, benefits, time off and bonuses are all part of the package. www.superiormachineia.com

Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress is facilitating incentive program applications with both IEDA and Area 15 Regional Planning Commission, but do not have specific amounts available at this time.

For more information contact:
 
Sharon Stroh, VP of Industrial Development
Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress
Phone: 641-799-1203
sstroh@ottumwaiowa.com