Manufacturing in Lucas County
Former Governor Terry Branstad declared 2017 as the "Year of Manufacturing."
In partnership with Opportunities Squared, Lucas County Development Corporation followed suit with this focus by highlighting a few of our community's primary manufacturing businesses, Johnson Machine Works, Piper's, and Fat Bagger's Inc. Although they vary greatly in products produced [steel - candy - motorcycles], all three share family as a common theme.
In partnership with Opportunities Squared, Lucas County Development Corporation followed suit with this focus by highlighting a few of our community's primary manufacturing businesses, Johnson Machine Works, Piper's, and Fat Bagger's Inc. Although they vary greatly in products produced [steel - candy - motorcycles], all three share family as a common theme.
Lucas County Developing History - A County Home to Historical Company
The developments and break-throughs made by Johnson Machine Works have exploded onto the manufacturing scene with the force of an anvil blown into the sky. JMW began as a small repair shop for farm equipment— hard to believe when looking at their current projects: enormous dams and gates built for hydro-electric power plants and transition waterways across the world. JMW developed into an enterprise employing 100 people. Midwestern ingenuity and artisanship of machinery are prevalent in this county where the citizens still carry on the tradition of launching an anvil in a downtown Chariton park on the 4th of July. Hard work, and revelry in the fruits of labor, meet up in this sea of farmland to create a vibrant pocket of all that is good about small town life, and all that is profitable in the manufacturing sector. Johnson Machine Works has set the tone for this community for five generations; it is a history that by all means, bears repeating.
PERSEVERANT PRODUCTION
Over 100 years of production, and surviving two fires, JMW is positioned as a paragon of successful longevity. A premium is placed on creativity, figuring out how to move forward, even when there are no easy answers. Over the years JMW has mastered the art of the bid, and acquired impressive contracts for steel fabrication projects not typically granted to companies of JMW’s size. JMW, though a small company in a rural community, has unique office buildings appointed with reflections of its trade in contemporary art and furniture. The eclectic mix of building materials used exemplifies JMW’s creativity and character.
ENRICHING LIVES
Beyond the typical corporate goals to provide service of quality in pursuit of profit, JMW stands out with a mission statement including the promise to enrich the lives of “employees, customers, shareholders, and community.” Advanced manufacturing efforts have brought many companies more awareness about the return on investment for improving employees’ quality of life; however, at JMW this focus on enrichment is an integral part of the culture. Lucas County, a rural Southeast Iowa area, is home to a company which was focused on the employees before the trend began. In the book Iron Sharpening Iron, Johnson writes in the forward that they’ve “grown by applying [their] trade, by finding loyal customers and creating a place where talented men and women could find expression for their God-given abilities.”
AT HOME IN THE HEARTLAND
JMW continues to call Lucas County home for good reason. Johnson says “the work ethic is second to none. Skilled men and women cover all the trades and this is what makes the workforce here special. They are true artisans, problem-solvers.” He speaks of the people, and of life in Iowa with reverence. “There is a quality of life, a pace that offers peace here. You have the opportunity to contemplate and follow-through, which is truly unique to rural Iowa.” The fruits of the Johnson family’s labor are seen all around Chariton in the development of buildings, the betterment of the community, and every year, in the explosion of an anvil blasting into the sky— a celebratory interruption to the peaceful atmosphere of Lucas County.
PERSEVERANT PRODUCTION
Over 100 years of production, and surviving two fires, JMW is positioned as a paragon of successful longevity. A premium is placed on creativity, figuring out how to move forward, even when there are no easy answers. Over the years JMW has mastered the art of the bid, and acquired impressive contracts for steel fabrication projects not typically granted to companies of JMW’s size. JMW, though a small company in a rural community, has unique office buildings appointed with reflections of its trade in contemporary art and furniture. The eclectic mix of building materials used exemplifies JMW’s creativity and character.
ENRICHING LIVES
Beyond the typical corporate goals to provide service of quality in pursuit of profit, JMW stands out with a mission statement including the promise to enrich the lives of “employees, customers, shareholders, and community.” Advanced manufacturing efforts have brought many companies more awareness about the return on investment for improving employees’ quality of life; however, at JMW this focus on enrichment is an integral part of the culture. Lucas County, a rural Southeast Iowa area, is home to a company which was focused on the employees before the trend began. In the book Iron Sharpening Iron, Johnson writes in the forward that they’ve “grown by applying [their] trade, by finding loyal customers and creating a place where talented men and women could find expression for their God-given abilities.”
AT HOME IN THE HEARTLAND
JMW continues to call Lucas County home for good reason. Johnson says “the work ethic is second to none. Skilled men and women cover all the trades and this is what makes the workforce here special. They are true artisans, problem-solvers.” He speaks of the people, and of life in Iowa with reverence. “There is a quality of life, a pace that offers peace here. You have the opportunity to contemplate and follow-through, which is truly unique to rural Iowa.” The fruits of the Johnson family’s labor are seen all around Chariton in the development of buildings, the betterment of the community, and every year, in the explosion of an anvil blasting into the sky— a celebratory interruption to the peaceful atmosphere of Lucas County.
Lucas County Delivering the Goods - A County of Motorcyles, Memories, and Chocolate
With the recent focus on downtown revitalization, it isn’t unheard of for town squares like the one in Chariton to work on developing spaces, filling vacancies, and supporting already existing businesses. What is rare, is to have a town square home to a business for over 100 years. Piper’s grocery, established 1909, has weathered all the economic storms visited on communities, displaying a fortitude of spirit that permeates Lucas County. Fat Baggers, Inc. developed much like the local titan Johnson Machine Works— about 100 years later— with a single person serving a specific customer. The insight into potential markets exemplifies the adaptability of Lucas County. Chariton is also home to Hy-Vee frozen and perishables distribution center, employing 1300 people. Room exists in Lucas County for potential producers, and complimentary manufacturing suppliers to move in, and start making memories.
RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD
Gary Chipp started Fat Baggers, Inc. back in 2004 to design, manufacture, and promote the original Fat Tire Kit due to customers looking for a new way to get more rubber under their baggers. Gary fabricated the parts necessary to install a wide tire on a bagger. From there Fat Baggers, Inc. has led the way in the bagger industry with customer, dealers, and distributors all over the world. They offer parts and accessories, customize bikes, and convert bikes to trikes. Fat Baggers, Inc. is in the business making motorcyclists dreams come true. Fat Baggers, Inc.’s story does not yet have the century long history of Johnson Machine Works; however, like Johnson Machine Works, Fat Bagger’s is a powerhouse of innovation and customization.
HISTORIC PROVISIONS
Piper’s is stalwart symbol of Lucas County’s persistence, and part of the larger storyline of food distribution from the area. Piper’s found its calling in food production. It began with the production of handmade chocolates in 1947, made in the store. Distributing all over the country for corporate accounts hasn’t changed the way that the candy is made. "The recipes are the same ones," says Jill Kerns, current owner of Piper’s. In this store where 1500 pounds of pecans were used last year in their calling card product, chocolate turtles, local customers come in to chat, browse, and indulge.
FAMILY TIES
Kerns says Chariton is a place "where the historical is interwoven into the community. We have grown together." She works in the shop, as her parents did. Gary Chipps started his company, Fat Bagger’s, out of his father’s shop, which has been a motorcycle dealership since 1973. Johnson Machine Works has carried on operations through the fifth generation of the Johnson family. "Other communities have invited me to open up, and move my operation elsewhere," Kerns says. "But I feel supported here, and recognized," she says, referring to Mariah Pierschbacher, Executive Director of Lucas County Development Corporation. Generations of manufacturers continue to live and make memories in Lucas County. When asked about the quality of life in Lucas county, Kerns says that it is great, that she "wouldn’t want to live, or operate a business anywhere else."
RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD
Gary Chipp started Fat Baggers, Inc. back in 2004 to design, manufacture, and promote the original Fat Tire Kit due to customers looking for a new way to get more rubber under their baggers. Gary fabricated the parts necessary to install a wide tire on a bagger. From there Fat Baggers, Inc. has led the way in the bagger industry with customer, dealers, and distributors all over the world. They offer parts and accessories, customize bikes, and convert bikes to trikes. Fat Baggers, Inc. is in the business making motorcyclists dreams come true. Fat Baggers, Inc.’s story does not yet have the century long history of Johnson Machine Works; however, like Johnson Machine Works, Fat Bagger’s is a powerhouse of innovation and customization.
HISTORIC PROVISIONS
Piper’s is stalwart symbol of Lucas County’s persistence, and part of the larger storyline of food distribution from the area. Piper’s found its calling in food production. It began with the production of handmade chocolates in 1947, made in the store. Distributing all over the country for corporate accounts hasn’t changed the way that the candy is made. "The recipes are the same ones," says Jill Kerns, current owner of Piper’s. In this store where 1500 pounds of pecans were used last year in their calling card product, chocolate turtles, local customers come in to chat, browse, and indulge.
FAMILY TIES
Kerns says Chariton is a place "where the historical is interwoven into the community. We have grown together." She works in the shop, as her parents did. Gary Chipps started his company, Fat Bagger’s, out of his father’s shop, which has been a motorcycle dealership since 1973. Johnson Machine Works has carried on operations through the fifth generation of the Johnson family. "Other communities have invited me to open up, and move my operation elsewhere," Kerns says. "But I feel supported here, and recognized," she says, referring to Mariah Pierschbacher, Executive Director of Lucas County Development Corporation. Generations of manufacturers continue to live and make memories in Lucas County. When asked about the quality of life in Lucas county, Kerns says that it is great, that she "wouldn’t want to live, or operate a business anywhere else."
