Company story developed by: CIRAS at Iowa State University
CJ Bio America is a process manufacturer located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, a component of a global diversified manufacturing company. This location, founded in 2011, manufactures amino acids for livestock and poultry feed and currently employs 170 people.
CJ Bio wanted to find new ways for technological enhancements to impact the bottom line. For help, the company turned to its state Manufacturing Extension Partnership network partner, CIRAS (similar to PA MEP and the regional Industrial Resource Centers).
CIRAS worked with CJ Bio to reassess CJ Bio’s current use of technology in its business and outline a path forward. Following an assessment, the leadership team participated in a training on various technologies making up Industry 4.0. Then, people from throughout the company met in groups to develop improvement ideas. Finally, the entire group created a ranked list of places to start and developed a business case for each project.
The company’s initial priorities include automating some of the sampling and testing required
during its production process and overhauling the way it handles bulk material waiting to be
shipped. CIRAS “allowed us the melting pot we needed” to make smart choices, CJ Bio Operations
Manager Luke Palmer said.