Percival Scientific’s story is one of legacy, evolution and continued excellence. Gary Wheelock led the Perry-based company for nearly 50 years, building a remarkable foundation and establishing Percival as a trusted manufacturer of environmental growth chambers used in research, science and agriculture around the world. His legacy is deeply woven into the company, and today Percival is continuing to evolve while building on the strength, reputation and values established over decades.

In this episode, Leisa talks with Jake Oakland about how his 16 years at John Deere helped shape his leadership perspective, from developing people to learning and applying worldwide best practices in pursuit of a best-in-class team in Perry. There is a powerful parallel between Jake’s own evolution as a leader and Percival’s evolution as a company. Percival is flourishing because of the foundation Gary Wheelock built and the fresh perspective Jake brings to its next chapter, showing how legacy and new leadership can work together to strengthen culture, drive performance and position an Iowa manufacturer for the future.

Presenting sponsor: ⁨‪‪Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield ‬ https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

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BPC President Chris Conetzkey and Business Record Editor Sarah Diehn host the weekly recap of statewide news you may have missed in the last week. Stories shared were first reported between July 29-Aug. 4

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Before automation, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling was facing serious challenges in its warehouse operations. Dan McNutt, Senior Director of Warehouse Operations, shares how repetitive-motion injuries, employee burnout, picking errors and a staggering 120% turnover rate were affecting both the workforce and the customer experience. The company knew it needed more than an incremental fix. After studying operations in Hartford and Indianapolis, the team selected the Vertique semi-automated picking system, and the results have transformed the operation.

But this conversation is about much more than technology. Dan talks about the importance of communication, employee input and bringing people along when a major operational change reshapes how work gets done. We explore how the system has reduced physical strain, improved picking accuracy, strengthened the customer experience and dramatically impacted turnover. It is a compelling look at what happens when an Iowa company pairs automation with thoughtful change management, using technology not simply to increase efficiency, but to create a safer, more sustainable workplace and a stronger operation for the future.

Presenting sponsor: ⁨‪‪Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield‬ https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

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BPC President Chris Conetzkey and Business Record Editor Sarah Diehn host the weekly recap of statewide news you may have missed in the last week. Stories shared were first reported between July 22-28.More information about the Rolling Hills Music Festival is available online. https://www.rollinghillsmusicia.com/

Presented by the Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University – preparing job-ready talent for businesses and the economy. See why Ivy is ranked the #1 Best College for Business in Iowa: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/

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At LDJ Manufacturing, culture isn't a slogan—it's a competitive advantage. President Ben Cox and Brad Jungling share how the company's commitment to promoting from within has created leaders who understand every level of the operation. Rather than simply filling positions, the team invests in people, cross-training employees so they can step into multiple roles while also building redundancy into their equipment and manufacturing processes. That strategy recently proved invaluable when unexpected challenges arose, allowing production to continue with minimal disruption. Their thoughtful approach to automation is equally intentional. Instead of replacing people, LDJ automates the repetitive jobs most likely to cause employee turnover, workplace injuries, and customer dissatisfaction, allowing team members to focus on higher-value work while improving quality and consistency.

That same customer-first mindset is evident in Thunder Creek Equipment. Built by listening closely to contractors, farmers, and fleet operators, Thunder Creek has continually evolved to solve real-world challenges in the field. As customer needs changed, so did the company—expanding from innovative fuel and service trailers into truck-mounted solutions that bring even greater flexibility to job sites. Throughout the conversation, one theme rises above all others: technical skills can be taught, but character cannot. Ben and Brad explain why they prioritize culture fit before skill fit, believing the right people—those who embrace the company's values and purpose—are the foundation for innovation, exceptional customer service, and long-term success.

Presenting sponsor: ⁨‪‪Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

Register for Manufacturing Forecast event: https://www.madeiniowabr.com/manufacturing-forecast-event

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BPC President Chris Conetzkey and Business Record Editor Sarah Diehn host the weekly recap of statewide news you may have missed in the last week. Stories shared were first reported between July 15-21.

Presented by the Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University – preparing job-ready talent for businesses and the economy. 

See why Ivy is ranked the #1 Best College for Business in Iowa: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/

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Iowa’s workforce has changed dramatically in just a few years, and few people have had a closer view of that transformation than Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. In this episode, Leisa talks with Beth about Iowa’s competitive workforce landscape, the lasting impact of COVID on how, where and why people work, and the speed with which Iowa had to respond to challenges no one could have predicted. Beth also explores the evolution from the Industry 4.0 grants to the new AMP’D Grant, designed to help Iowa employers invest in advanced manufacturing technology careers and prepare workers for the jobs of the future. Employers interested in learning more about eligibility and applying can visit the official AMP’D Grant information and application page: https://workforce.iowa.gov/opportunities/grants/ampd?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The conversation also looks ahead as Beth shares how Iowa Workforce Development prepares for a transition to a new administration and what that kind of leadership change means for maintaining momentum in a fast-moving workforce environment. From automation and upskilling to demographic pressures and global competition, this is a conversation about far more than one grant program. It is about how Iowa takes the lessons of COVID, the groundwork laid through Industry 4.0 and the opportunities created through AMP’D to build a workforce strategy capable of competing in the future.

Presenting sponsor: ⁨‪‪Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield‬ https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

Register for Manufacturing Forecast event: https://www.madeiniowabr.com/manufacturing-forecast-event

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In this episode of the dsm Wealth Podcast, Suzanna de Baca explores why land remains one of the most enduring forms of wealth creation across generations. Joined by estate planning attorney with Dentons Davis Brown, Breanna Young, and Hertz Farm Management CEO Chad Hertz, the conversation examines land as a long-term investment, a source of stability and income, and a deeply personal legacy asset. The episode also explores stewardship, succession planning, and the emotional complexity tied to land ownership.

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There are many paths for pursuing the education that fulfills us and helps us procure the career we want. Women often face different life and financial circumstances than men as they make decisions about their education, especially if they are doing it in a nontraditional way. Kayla Kovarna, marketing director at Baker Group, and Cathy Edwards, CEO of Edward Creative, joined the Fearless podcast to discuss how they navigated these decisions to achieve their educational goals.

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BPC President Chris Conetzkey and Business Record Editor Sarah Diehn host the weekly recap of statewide news you may have missed in the last week. Stories shared were first reported between July 8-14.

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