As we’re nearing 25 years in business, Accu-Steel’s founder and owner Jason Owen joined the SMPG Podcast to reflect on how our company began, how we’ve grown, and what continues to drive our mission today. From early fabrication projects on a family farm to becoming a trusted partner in agriculture, grain, fertilizer, livestock, and industrial applications, Jason’s story highlights the power of hard work and rural American ingenuity that still defines Accu-Steel a quarter-century later.
Below is a condensed Q&A from Jason’s conversation with podcast host Sam Paul, Editorial Director at GEAPS Media Group. Listen to the full interview on Grain Journal’s website.
Q: Jason, congratulations on 25 years. What first inspired you to start Accu-Steel?
Jason: Accu-Steel started through contract manufacturing. I was studying agricultural engineering at Iowa State University and working nights welding grain-handling equipment. An opportunity came up to build portable concrete plants, which brought me back to my family’s farm in Audubon County to start fabricating.
After several years, we transitioned into fabric-covered buildings. I saw opportunities to introduce engineering improvements and manufacturing practices that could strengthen the industry. Those early decisions helped shape Accu-Steel into the company it is today.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges in those early years?
Jason: When I returned home, Audubon County had seen very little manufacturing growth for decades. Starting a facility there made a significant impact on the community and the workforce.
We were fortunate to connect with skilled agricultural workers who were looking for additional income. Their expertise and work ethic helped us establish a strong foundation during those early years.
Q: Were there risks or decisions that helped shape the direction of the company?
Jason: Definitely. Looking back, the turning points often came from understanding our limits and being willing to learn from mistakes. We made plenty of them, but we worked hard and pushed through.
I also didn’t let a lack of formal credentials stop me. I had the skills to work on the floor, and I had enough business sense to keep things moving forward. We trusted the process and figured things out as we went.
Q: Has your view of entrepreneurship changed over time?
Jason: Entrepreneurship requires a high tolerance for risk. You can teach business concepts, but you cannot easily teach someone to accept the uncertainty and responsibility that comes with starting a company.
Growing up on a farm taught me a lot about living with risk and making decisions even when conditions are uncertain. That mindset carried over into how I run the business today.
Q: Accu-Steel has stayed firmly rooted in rural Iowa. What makes running a business there unique?
Jason: Being in a rural community means staying connected to the people around you. We understand that some employees are involved in agriculture, so we try to be flexible when possible.
Although the workforce has changed over the years, rural Iowa still has incredibly talented people. Attracting front-end business talent is more challenging in a small county, so we expanded with a Des Moines office to support our team and customers more effectively.
Q: How do you approach attracting and retaining great employees?
Jason: Fair wages are important, but culture also matters. People want a place where they can grow, contribute, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
One of the most rewarding parts of running the company is seeing employees improve their quality of life and achieve personal goals. Their success makes our work meaningful.
Q: What has guided Accu-Steel’s success over the years?
Jason: Our focus has always been on building high-quality components and delivering solutions that genuinely improve customer operations. We design buildings around what customers actually need rather than asking customers to adapt to us.
We also chose a product that is difficult to outsource internationally. It still surprises me that steel processed in Iowa ends up in places like Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, but it shows the value our team creates.
Q: What challenges are farmers and co-ops facing today?
Jason: Efficiency is more important than ever. Farmers are dealing with lower commodity prices, advancements in technology, consolidation, and shifts in interest rates.
Agriculture has always adapted, and it continues to do so. Even with economic pressure, American producers still manage to feed the world.
Q: What does the next chapter look like for Accu-Steel and for you personally?
Jason: I’m beginning to see key employees step into larger roles and add their own ideas and systems. Entrepreneurs often excel at pushing through challenges but are not always the best at building long-term processes.
Letting others take the lead in certain areas has helped the company grow and operate more efficiently.
Q: What advice would you give someone starting a rural business today?
Jason: If you feel called to do it and the business makes sense on paper, pursue it. I had strong mentors and learned a lot outside the classroom. Staying humble, observant, and willing to learn made all the difference.
Success is not only measured in revenue. It is also about building something sustainable that serves a community and creates opportunity.
Q: After all these years, what excites you most about your work?
Jason: I enjoy helping young families return to the farm. With tough margins in row crops, cattle buildings often create a profitable entry point for the next generation.
I also enjoy watching employees grow personally and professionally. Seeing people improve their lives through stable, rewarding work is incredibly fulfilling.
Listen to the full interview
To hear Jason’s full conversation with the SMPG Podcast, visit: https://www.grainjournal.com/article/1113909/podcast-test