Hawkeye Steel Products, Inc

Grain Processing Corporation is among the world s leading manufacturers and marketers of corn-based products, including maltodextrins, corn syrup solids and starches for the food, pharmaceutical and personal care markets. GPC also produces ethyl alcohol for beverage and industrial use; starches for paper, corrugated box, textile and wallboard industries; corn oil; and animal feed ingredients. The specialists in the Industrial Products Technical Service Department provide on-site assistance. The scientists from the Food, Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Technical Service Department assist customers with production processes for existing products, as well as the development and application of processes for new products. GPC's Customer Service Department handles inquiries and orders and also coordinates with all departments to provide an integrated customer service program. Privately-owned GPC was founded in 1943. Its main production facility in located in Muscatine, Iowa, with a second facility is in Washington, Ind.

Kent Feeds began in 1927 in the central Iowa farming community of Indianola. It was there that Gage Kent started manufacturing Kent Baby Beef, the original 'Feed Without A Filler, which revolutionized the cattle feeding industry. Before Baby Beef, most cattle feeds were formulated with little regard for nutritional needs. Kent Baby Beef is manufactured with only top-quality ingredients and no filler materials, setting a new standard for the industry. Kent's feed mill flourished in Indianola. In 1936, he moved his steadily growing company to Muscatine, Iowa, to take advantage of economical Mississippi River transportation. In addition to his feed business, Gage Kent joined forces with a prominent Muscatine businessman in 1943 to found the Grain Processing Corporation. GPC is one of the largest corn processors in the nation. Kent Feeds and Grain Processing Corporation are owned by Varied Investments, a private, family-owned corporation.

Deere & Company, founded in 1837, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of agricultural, forestry and construction equipment, and a supplier of equipment used in lawn, grounds and turf care. The company also manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment, and provides landscape and worldwide financial services. It produces and markets a wide range of lawn and garden tractors, mowers, and other outdoor power products for homeowners and commercial users. The company s landscapes division provides irrigation equipment and nursery supplies to landscape-service professionals throughout the United States. Its parts division coordinates the distribution and management of parts inventory and materials. The company also provides related services such as pricing, systems, support, forecasting and planning, and analysis to the company's equipment divisions. Robert W. Lane has been the chief executive officer of Deere & Company for more than six years. He has been with the capital goods company for over 24 years. Lane earned a BBA degree from Wheaton College, and a MBA from the University of Chicago. Deere & Company is headquartered in Moline, Ill.