Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Monday) marked the start of National Manufacturing Week at their weekly news conference, highlighting the contributions made by manufacturers and their employees through a proclamation, and launching a tour of various facilities throughout Iowa. Among the facilities is: Agri-Drain, in Adair;  Bohlmann, Incorporated, in Denison; The Lisle Corporation, in Clarinda; Red Oak Manufacturing, in Red Oak; The Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Quality Machine of Iowa, in Audubon (See below for the dates and times).

The Governor said “Though we appreciate the contributions of manufacturers each and every day, Manufacturing Week will give us a special opportunity to highlight and celebrate Iowa’s manufacturing sector.”

There are over 3,500 companies engaged in manufacturing in Iowa, employing over 211,000 Iowans with an average wage of more than $51,000. All told, the manufacturing sector contributes over $27.6 billion, or 18 percent, to Iowa’s Gross State Product.

Branstad/Reynolds tour dates & times:

Monday, Sept.30, 2013

11:15 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit Agri-Drain at  1462 340th St. in Adair.

1:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit Bohlmann, Inc.,  2302 Yellow Smoke Rd. in Denison.

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013

8:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit Lisle Corporation, 813 E Main St., Clarinda.

10:15 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit Red Oak Manufacturing,   2400 N. Broadway, in Red Oak.

12:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit Atlantic Bottling Company,   4 E. 2nd St.,  Atlantic.

2 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit Quality Machine of Iowa, 1040 4th Ave., in Audubon.