Sukup Manufacturing Co. has expanded its Ames presence.

The manufacturer of grain storage equipment has invested in its operations at 2600 S. Loop Drive at the Iowa State University Research Park and moved into bigger space at the research park, the company announced Monday.

“Ames provides us with an environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and recruitment opportunities,” Emily Schmitt, Sukup CAO/general counsel, stated in a press release. “From innovation and research through the many Iowa State University resources, to supporting product development, assembly and testing, we believe this growth will strengthen our connection and collaboration between Sheffield, Ames, and Des Moines.”

Sukup also recently announced leadership changes.

The Research Park will remain Sukup’s home base in Ames, but it has moved within the park to a location on the Pivot Bio campus that will allow Sukup to nearly double its growth. The location is home to the company’s Synk Hub and will serve as a central point for evolving company culture and expanding the recruitment funnel for top engineering and technology talent, a news release said.

Sukup said the facility will provide a “next-generation workplace” with a modern, technology-driven environment that enhances collaboration across all Sukup entities.

“We’re excited to welcome Sukup to Pivot Bio’s Ames campus,” Oscar Gomez-Sacasa, Pivot Bio senior director of facilities and operations, said in a press release. “Our facility is a state-of-the-art hub designed to support customers and foster innovation in agriculture. With ample office space available, we were thrilled to find another forward-thinking ag company to share our space. Given the complementary nature of our businesses, subleasing to Sukup was a natural fit.”

Sukup’s Ames location started in 2017 with two full-time employees. Today there are 17 full-time employees, with additional staff drop-ins.

“Ames is an excellent meeting point for our Sheffield and Des Moines teams to work in a high-tech, focused space with room for additional growth,” said Hank Norem, Sukup CIO. “The innovation ecosystem at ISU Research Park connects what we have built at Ramco and Maple Studios in Des Moines. That same forward-thinking approach will now carry on in Ames to create an ag tech hub for Synk’s development, product assembly and testing.”

The company has expanded to locations in Manly and Clear Lake, as well as West Des Moines through the December 2023 acquisition of Ramco Innovations. Sukup also completed a vertical acquisition this winter. As these departments and product lines expanded, so did the need for new roles in engineering, IT and HR, the company said.

“We will continue our strong focus on recruiting top engineering and technology talent,” Emily Sukup said. “It also allows us to leverage our long-standing investments in ISU College of Engineering, including Sukup Hall, and the new industrial engineering building, Sukup Endzone and Sukup Cylo in CyTown.”