Manufacturing in Ames, Iowa: Building a Global Industrial Powerhouse
Central Iowa’s economy is powered by a robust manufacturing sector that produces everything from globally recognized pasta and sour cream to professional athletic equipment and personal care staples.
This industrial base represents a cluster of high-value operations that fuel job creation, drive capital investment and strengthen the region’s long-term industrial resilience.
Whether processing major agricultural yields or crafting elite consumer goods, manufacturing in Ames, Iowa, has quietly built a reputation as a highly efficient Midwestern production engine.
In This Article
On the Menu: Food and Beverage Giants Reshaping the Supply Chain
Food processing represents one of the region’s absolute strongest pillars, with large-scale facilities that process and package products found on grocery shelves across the country.
Daisy Brand (Boone)
Daisy Brand in Boone exemplifies the scale and momentum of this sector. Its $1.2 billion dairy production facility, which broke ground in May 2025, is poised to become a major economic anchor.
When fully operational by 2028, the 1 million-square-foot plant is expected to create more than 250 high-quality jobs. Beyond expanding Daisy’s sour cream and cottage cheese production, the facility will reshape the local dairy supply chain and position Boone as a rising center for food processing in the Midwest.
Barilla (Ames)
Barilla’s presence in Ames has helped shape the city into a critical hub for the global pasta supply chain. Since opening its manufacturing plant in 1998, Barilla has firmly established Ames as a cornerstone of its North American operations.
Some of North America’s finest dried pasta begins its journey in Ames, where Barilla applies the same recipes, machinery and production standards used in its Italian facilities – upholding the quality and craftsmanship the company has been known for since 1877.
Barilla employs a highly skilled workforce across engineering, operations and quality management roles, reinforcing the plant’s strategic importance to Barilla’s global business and the regional economy.
“Our continued investment in Ames reflects a long-term commitment to both the community and the future of pasta in North America,” says Melissa Tendick, President of Barilla Americas. “Ames uniquely brings together agricultural excellence, academic expertise and a workforce deeply committed to precision and quality. Today, our Ames plant is a key driver of innovation and sustainable growth. Looking ahead, Ames will remain central to our strategy, with ongoing investments in technology and talent that strengthen our supply chain, create quality jobs, and allow us to serve more families across North America.”
Burke Corp. (Nevada)
Nearby in Nevada, Burke Corp. serves as a cornerstone of the region’s food service manufacturing cluster. The company produces fully cooked meats and pizza toppings used by national restaurant chains and prepared-food brands across the country. Years of strategic expansions reflect Burke’s ability to meet growing demand in the U.S. food manufacturing sector and highlight the specialized workforce that supports it.
Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Co. (Ames)
Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Co. plays an equally significant role in Ames. The facility bottles and distributes a large portfolio of Coca-Cola beverages, ensuring a reliable supply to retailers, restaurants and event venues across central Iowa. The operation supports jobs in bottling technology, quality control, logistics, and fleet management, and stands out as a major contributor to the region’s distribution capabilities.
On the Shelves: Precision Engineering and Consumer Goods
Beyond food and beverage production, central Iowa is home to prominent manufacturers of specialized consumer goods that demand intense precision and strict quality standards.
American Athletic Inc. (Jefferson)
In Jefferson, American Athletic Inc. produces professional-level sports equipment used worldwide. The facility manufactures Spalding basketball systems as well as balance beams and other apparatuses for USA Gymnastics. This work requires precision craftsmanship and durable materials, placing AAI in a key position within the global sports equipment industry.
“The fact that we can do it here in Jefferson means a lot,” says Kristin Russell, who has been with the company for 13 years and serves as human resources manager. “It’s elite-level athletic equipment, and it’s all built by hand right here in Iowa.”
Every piece that leaves the American Athletic floor, whether a set of uneven bars or an NBA-ready backboard, carries a mark of craftsmanship.
“We don’t do long runs,” Russell explains. “Everything is designed to last.”
Continental Manufacturing Chemist (Huxley)
Huxley is home to Continental Manufacturing Chemist, a contract manufacturer for personal care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. CMC’s production involves formulation, blending, filling, and packaging, all of which require technical expertise and strict regulatory oversight.
As consumer demand for private-label and contract-manufactured personal care items grows, CMC’s capabilities remain a highly valuable asset to regional employers and national brands.
Ultimately, these core companies inject millions of dollars into local payrolls, support a wide network of independent regional suppliers and provide stable, well-compensated employment essential for long-term community growth and stability.
Get to Know the Ames Region
Want to learn more about living and working in Ames, IA? Check out the latest edition of Livability Ames, Iowa, and The Greater Boone, Hamilton & Story County Region.