Economic development
Major Employers
Le Mars is growing rapidly as a result of the many quality companies that have discovered Le Mars offers all the right ingredients to grow successfully. Following are a few of the Le Mars business success stories.
Nationally-known Wells Dairy, Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of ice cream in one location and the largest family-owned and managed dairy processor in the nation, is headquartered in Le Mars. Wells employs over 2,500 production, sales, office and support personnel. With it state-of-the-art production facilities, the company is cited by many industry experts as one of the most technically advanced in the industry. The company manufacturers over 2,000 products in almost every size, shape, style and flavor imaginable—from ice cream to frozen novelties.
Gus Pech Manufacturing Co., Inc. has been in Le Mars since 1889. This third generation family-owned business manufactures machines and equipment for drilling holes from 4 inches to 10 feet in diameter. Gus Pech sells its earth drilling rigs throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico as well as worldwide.
SmithCo Side-Dump manufactures various models of side-dump trailers to fit most any use or need. SmithCo trailers can be found throughout as well as outside the United States.
BoDeans Baking Company baked its first sugar cone on February 1, 2001, and in the first two years doubled its workforce and production. Making sugar cones for ice cream manufacturers, including customers such as Wells' Blue Bunny and Good Humor-Breyers, BoDeans produces over 500 million cones a year. In 2006 BoDeans Wafer Company began producing wafers in its new 90,000 SF facility.
NorAm Cold Storage and Distribution received its first product in March 1999. Phase II for this company was completed December of 1999, and Phase III was finished and receiving product in April of 2001. This 220,000 S.F. facility is designed to facilitate companies' distribution as well as storage needs.
Le Mars Public Storage began construction of its 52,000 S.F. storage facility in late 1999. Within the first couple years Le Mars Public Storage has added a second facility and expanded to nearly 200,000 S.F. With their new building, LPS offers the ability to ship and receive by rail.
Bekins, Inc. opened its new 100,000 S.F. warehouse storage facility in 2000.
IML Containers of Iowa, began production in Le Mars of injection molded plastic containers for food items. With12 facilities throughout Europe and Canada, this is the state for this French company.
For a directory of Le Mars business and Industry, click here.