The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) and Elevate Iowa Manufacturing will recognize four manufacturing leaders on Oct. 14 at the annual Legends in Manufacturing awards program, as part of ABI’s Iowa Manufacturing Conference. The four Legends in Manufacturing awardees were nominated for their contributions to the manufacturing industry. According to ABI, the winners selected this year have decades of leadership in their business and a strong commitment to community and educating the next generation.
The 2025 Legends in Manufacturing awardees are:

• Under 100 Employees: Bill Bywater, Economy Advertising Co., Iowa City
• 100-300 Employees: Joe Carter, The Marshalltown Co., Marshalltown
• 300+ Employees: R.W. and Mary Nelson, Kemin Industries, Des Moines
• Manufacturing Champion: David Ottavianelli, John Deere (retired), Quad Cities