ABI Announces 2026 Legends in Manufacturing Honorees

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) and Elevate Iowa Manufacturing will honor four Iowa manufacturing leaders as the 2026 Legends in Manufacturing Award recipients on October 13 at the Iowa Manufacturing Conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. Presented by Nyemaster Goode P.C., the awards recognize leaders whose contributions have strengthened Iowa's manufacturing industry through leadership, innovation and service. The 2026 Legends in Manufacturing Award recipients are:

• Under 100 Employees: Steve Anderson, Merrill Manufacturing (Storm Lake)
• 100-300 Employees: Lori Schaefer-Weaton, Agri-Industrial Plastics Company (Fairfield)
• 300+ Employees: Pat Weiler, Weiler (Knoxville)
• Manufacturing Champion: The Honorable Terry Branstad, Former Governor of Iowa and Ambassador to China

"ABI was founded by manufacturers, so recognizing the leaders who have helped shape Iowa's manufacturing industry is especially meaningful to us," said Nicole Crain, ABI President. "These honorees represent the leadership and commitment that make Iowa manufacturing strong, and we're proud to recognize the impact they have made on their companies and communities."

The Legends in Manufacturing Awards will be presented during the conference luncheon on October 13. The Iowa Manufacturing Conference will bring manufacturers and business leaders together for a day focused on the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the industry.

Learn more about the Legends in Manufacturing Awards and view past recipients here.

Learn more about the 2026 Iowa Manufacturing Conference and view the full agenda here.