West Des Moines Difference - January 2009 - (Page 33)

Industry Reﬂects Innovation in West Des Moines i2Tech Promotes Diversity Though West Des Moines is Plastics known for its service businesses, in thereceiving the IndustryProcessor of the Year Besides prestigious industry continues to play a Award in 2008 from Plastics News, the West Des Moinesdynamic role in the community’s based Innovative Injection Technologies Inc. (i2Tech) has also received diversity awards for its talented work force. economic development. “We work hard to ﬁnd good employees,” said owner Bob Janeczko, who noted that 38 percent of the privately Barker Lemar Provides Sustainable Solutions Striking a balance between good business practices and concern for the environment has long been a goal of Barker Lemar Engineering Consultants, which provides a wide range of design and engineering services. Based in West Des Moines, the company provides sustainable design and planning, solid-waste, information technology and construction services. “We moved to West Des Moines because the building and property here were perfect for our needs and allowed potential for growth,” said Mike Barker, president, who appreciates the area’s excellent highway and interstate access. “West Des Moines’ progressive city leaders have also been responsive to our needs and are a pleasure to work with.” In addition to being a leader in its industry, Barker Lemar is known as a community-minded company. The ﬁrm has installed a rain garden and storm water ﬁltration system to help protect the Raccoon River basin from storm water runoff. The company has also participated in the construction of an environmentally friendly Habitat for Humanity home in Central Iowa. “We believe in being a vibrant, positive inﬂuence in the community and want to do our part to improve the area where we spend so much time,” said Barker, who noted that the company has approximately 65 employees in West Des Moines. “We’re glad to be part of the West Des Moines business community and look forward to future opportunities to work with the city.” held company’s work force is female, and 35 percent is non-Caucasian, including employees who have immigrated to America from Mexico, Central America, Africa and Asia. “West Des Moines is a very attractive spot to recruit people to live and work.” As a custom plastics injection molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services, i2Tech develops highly engineered plastic components and subassemblies to the agricultural, industrial, contract molding and recreation markets. Founded in 1960 as Mid Central Plastics, i2Tech employs 159 workers at its 113,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, which has operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, since 2004. West Des Moines is a good place to conduct business, said Janeczko, who noted that the city is expanding nearby roadways to improve trafﬁc ﬂow and accommodate heavy trucks. “The city of West Des Moines is very proactive, and the vitality and growth of the community is evident,” he said. “We’re very glad to be here.” THE WEST DES MOINES DIFFERENCE BOB JANECZKO 33

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San Jose Official Visitor Guide 2009

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