2023 Economic Impact Award Winners That are Strengthening the Economic Vitality of DSM

Each year, the Greater Des Moines Partnership awards regional companies for their roles in influencing the local economy in terms of job creation, facility expansion and capital investment. Through their work in the region, these award winners have made a significant contribution to Greater Des Moines (DSM) and are recognized for their efforts in continuing to create a place to live, work and play that increases the economic vitality here.

Award Winners – Part Two

Dee Zee Manufacturing

A family-owned business, Dee Zee has manufactured automotive components and accessories since 1977 with their workforce of more than 1,000 employees spread across eight facilities. Currently, Dee Zee is finalizing a 47,000-square-foot building at their Pleasant Hill campus to manufacture body structures for the first Electric Lightweight Commercial Vehicles (ELCV) for General Motors. This expansion will create over 50 skilled labor positions. Dee Zee’s Pleasant Hill campus consists of buildings dedicated to stamping, tool and die, mill operations, and the new building to manufacture the structural components.

To meet growing product demands and explore new business opportunities, Dee Zee has made strategic capital investments in the region. They have already laid over 100,000 square feet of concrete at its Broadway location on N.E. 46th Ave. for future expansion, while also providing dedicated parking for people to access the bike trail.

Global Business Award: Kemin Industries 

In 2017, Kemin opened its global headquarters building. This was the final phase of a five-year, $125.5 million investment in its DSM campus. Since then, Kemin has reaffirmed its commitment to the local community while continuing to expand globally. Over the past three years, Kemin has added multiple new buildings to its headquarters campus, including its first-ever wet pet food pilot lab, which allows the company to better serve and collaborate with its customers in the pet food industry. Kemin also completed an on-ground and roof-mounted solar array installation, which powers 100% of its 90,000-square-foot headquarters building.

Kuvare

 

The Kuvare organization, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, has a combined assets of $33 billion, including its Iowa-domiciled Guaranty Income Life Insurance Company (GILICO) and United Life Insurance Company (ULIC). Kuvare’s DSM presence dates to April 2022, when Kuvare chose to expand its Iowa footprint to capture unique benefits the company finds from working in the vibrant Des Moines market with an office in Downtown Des Moines (DSM)’s Historic East Village, going from four to 30 employees in just over one year. Kuvare has plans to double its workforce and achieve future growth targets by recruiting in DSM, a community that prioritizes the wellbeing of its people.

Find more information on Partnership awards or sign up to learn more about the DSM’s growth by subscribing to Partnership newsletters.

 

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.