Tomahawk-based Industrial Packaging Corporation honored with Iowa Venture Award

DES MOINES, IOWA – The Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), on behalf of Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and independent telecommunications companies, recently honored eight distinguished Iowa companies and leaders with the Iowa Venture Award at a luncheon held in conjunction with the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ annual meeting.

Among the award recipients was Industrial Packaging Corporation (IPC), which has been headquartered in Tomahawk for over three decades.

IPC was nominated for the award by Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative.

“The Iowa Venture Award Luncheon provides a forum to celebrate the courage, contribution, innovation, responsibility, and vision of Iowa entrepreneurs,” said IADG President Rand Fisher. “Industrial Packaging Corporation is an industry leader that continues to expand their operation and provide excellent employment opportunities in Wilton and beyond.”

“This marks the 33rd year that IADG has presented Iowa Venture Awards to individuals and organizations, both large and small, in recognition of their significant contributions to Iowa's economy through entrepreneurial leadership, innovation and the creation of job opportunities,” a release from IADG stated. “History has demonstrated that these are among the most accomplished and successful companies in the state. Together, they are helping to sustain and grow Iowa’s economy.”

The Iowa Venture Award Hall of Fame showcasing these 280 companies can be found at www.IADG.com/HallOfFame.

Pictured, from left to right: Stephanie Miene, Eastern Iowa Light & Power; Rand Fisher, President, IADG; Tony Genelin, President, Industrial Packaging Corporation; Kirk Trede, CEO, Eastern Iowa Light & Power; Dave Mohr, Eastern Iowa Light & Power. Photo submitted by Tony Genelin.

About IPC

IPC was founded in Tomahawk in 1989 to produce a corrugated product for the packaging market.

In 2002, they expanded their operations with a new plant in Wilton, Iowa.

“This facility specializes in honeycomb cardboard, a rigid board with hexagonal cells providing a high vertical compression resistance and load-bearing capacity,” the release said. “The Wilton facility remains a profit center for the company and is approaching capacity as its customer base expands. In 2019, they more than doubled their Wilton operation with a 30,000-square-foot addition, adding a second honeycomb panel line.”

About IADG

IADG is the business and community development leader for Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and independent telecommunication companies. Since 1985, the partnerships and economic development efforts of IADG and their sponsors have assisted with more than 2,250 projects, generating in excess of $13.2 billion of capital investment and over 54,500 new or retained jobs for Iowa.