SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
Anud Sud is a heart surgeon by trade, but he's had an interest in engineering since he was a kid. His father, a hydroelectric engineer, passed along that passion.
"That humming was always important to me," said Sud. "So, I decided, hey why not live it then."
So, he invested in a business that benefits farmers: tiling. The tubes needed for tiling can raise the ground temperature, provide better drainage of fields, and allow farmers to plant earlier and get better yields.
"We're expecting that this will be just an explosive growth," said Sud.
About two years ago, with his home state of Michigan's economy declining, Sud was in Northwest Iowa, working on a recycling project. He started looking for a new place for a manufacturing plant.
"It wasn't doing well, and once we learned that there is more tiling business here, we moved ourselves here," said Sud.
Sud brings in recycled plastics from Michigan as raw materials for his operations in Sioux City. He's already doubled the facility's size and nearly tripled his workforce, with further expansion coming soon.
Council members from Sioux City and the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce met with Sud and congratulated him on the work he's already done. Right now, his company is making 40,000 pounds of tube every day.
"Makes a lot of sense for them to be here, sounds like they're pretty excited about delving into more manufacturing," said Barbara Sloniker of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.
In a down year, farmers have been quick to embrace anything that increases their yields.
"Right now, our contractors are very productive because the soil is drier, so it's easier for them to install tile at this point in time," said Barrett.
Sud says he'll keep investing in the business.
"I want to take all the profits that are made, to be put back into making the business grow," said Sud.
Quality Farm Drainage spoke with city leaders about future training funds and programs for its employees.
The tubes needed for tiling can raise the ground temperature, provide better drainage of fields, and allow farmers to plant earlier and get better yields.
