Driving through the Midwest, you look out your window to see rolling fields of corn, soybeans and wheat. You might not expect that the seeds used to plant those fields were developed using equipment from ALMACO, a 140-year-old family business in Nevada, Iowa.

Built on a foundation of faith and quality service, ALMACO has been a staple of Iowa since 1884. The company was founded as Allan’s Blacksmith and Welding. After a few hand-offs to different family lines and intentional succession planning, it is now a leading player in the seed research industry.

“In 1972, I hung up my suit and went to work,” said Gary Clem, first generation of the Clem family. “In the commercial end of Ames, all the factories had issues and needed someone who could figure out the problem and fix it. With our experience in problem solving and service, we moved into working with specialty agricultural equipment.”

The family business found its niche when universities sought their expertise to save on intensive labor in the plant breeding and seed research industry. ALMACO partnered with the USDA and the Iowa Soybean Association to create a machine that revolutionized plant breeding by ensuring the purity of each harvested test plot.

Then major life science companies entered the scene, leading ALMACO to focus on supporting agricultural research. The business made a daring move, relocating from Ames to Nevada to develop an exclusive product line of seed research equipment. ALMACO provided custom solutions to seed research companies around the world.

“Every soybean research facility in the United States most likely has owned or currently uses our equipment. And the first 15 years of my time, I delivered it. And the reason I delivered it is I wanted to get to know the end user,” said Gary, who emphasized this personal touch as a reason behind their business growth and success.

As ALMACO continued to grow, it faced the question of how to bring in the next generation of Clems. Gary’s decision to involve his children early in executive meetings proved pivotal.

“Through the Family Business Center at UNI, I started reading a number of books–the first about succession planning. The reality of life is that your life is going to end at some point. That’s what stimulated me to bring on my children and help them better understand what this business was all about,” said Gary.

Two of Gary’s sons, Patrick and Christian, and his son-in-law, Mark, are now running day-to-day operations at ALMACO: Patrick is the Chief Executive Officer, Mark is the Chief Operating Officer, and Christian, who began his journey with ALMACO welding scrap steel at age 13, is now the Chief Solutions Officer.

The tradition of succession planning continues with a third generation. Three of Gary’s grandchildren are working in the business today.

“We each have a role that we play in the business, and we’ve been able to add new talent, too,” said Christian. “God gave us certain gifts. Like my dad says, the goal isn’t to be the smartest person in the room, it’s to surround yourself with really smart people. We are blessed to have achieved just that–ALMACO employees are incredibly talented and we are so grateful for their contributions.”

In 2023, the Clem family leveraged ALMACO’s complete package of manufacturing expertise, technology, and engineering innovation by offering contract manufacturing and engineering services. The business has so far found success in partnering with both domestic and international organizations, including Fortune 100 companies, and continues to build on these relationships through 2024.

The ALMACO family attributes its success to core values grounded in integrity, diligence, and reputation, shaped by their Christian faith. As they continue to produce custom innovations to seed research clients who work to make food, fiber, and fuel available to the world, they stand as a testament to the impact that one family can have on the global economy.

The University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center supports family firms like ALMACO with virtual panels featuring top family business leaders, an annual conference, an annual tour of a family business operation in Iowa, and generation peer groups. The center also offers 1:1 consulting, board matchmaking services, and succession planning services. 

Learn more about upcoming events and offerings at www.unifamilybusinesscenter.com.