U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, announced her Small Business of the Week as Hawkeye Molding of Story County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. This week, Hawkeye Molding in Story County was honored. This small business has over 45 years of history and is a leader in plastic injection product manufacturing that serves various industries, from agriculture to furniture manufacturing. Ranking Member Ernst commended the leadership of Ryan Gruhn and Lana Leander for their efforts in keeping jobs in Iowa.
Hawkeye Molding was purchased by the husband-and-wife team Ryan Gruhn and Lana Leander in 2021. Founded in Albia in 1979 by Bob Russell and Mike Lawrence, the business was later sold to Innovative Lighting in 2008. Under the new leadership of Ryan and Lana, Hawkeye Molding is now based in Roland and has been recognized for its economic contributions to the community. They received the Ames Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Impact Award in 2022 and the Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur Award in 2021. This year marks the third business anniversary under Ryan and Lana’s ownership.
Ranking Member Ernst will continue to recognize more Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights of small businesses across the state.