Company History
In 1988, Kooima Company started making replacement parts for agricultural equipment in a 1,200-square-foot rented building. At that time, their inventory included one part number. The company has since grown and now has 4,000 different part numbers.
About five years ago, Kooima Ag split from Kooima Company. A leading agriculture knife maker, Kooima Ag makes quality cutting components for mixer wagons, forage harvesters, and other applications. The manufacturer invested heavily in technology, using robotics and other advanced processes.
Introduction to CIRAS
In 2022, CIRAS strategic advisor Derek Thompson visited the Rock Valley company to provide guidance on their interest in a recently closed Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) grant program. Thompson used the opportunity to introduce Kooima Ag leaders to the various services available from CIRAS. This led to a highly cooperative relationship, illustrating how CIRAS can connect with and assist smaller Iowa companies in a range of ways.
“CIRAS offers another level of resource and knowledge that I had not been aware of,” said Nick Vande Waerdt, Kooima Ag general manager. “About every time I have something pop up, I run it by CIRAS to see if I can get some information or advice about it. They get us further down the road or pointed in the right direction.”
Successful Grant Application
Thompson made a return visit to Kooima Ag in 2023 to perform an assessment for a second chance at the Industry 4.0 IEDA grant. This time, the application was successful and they received a $50,000 matching grant.
“We have a process for coating our knives, but we knew we could do better. We used the grant to build a custom-integrated robotic cell for our knife manufacturing process,” Vande Waerdt said. “We increased throughput by two to three times, which benefits our customers.”
Ongoing Support and Collaboration Toward New Markets
As a tech-focused company, Kooima Ag sought advice from CIRAS when they started investigating 3D scanners to help their engineers design parts.
“We contacted Derek and asked if they had any expertise in this area,” Vande Waerdt said. “It turns out that CIRAS had the exact model that we were close to purchasing. Once again, they validated an important decision for us.”
Kooima Ag produces a knife that cuts corn into feed for cattle, but it was occasionally failing in the field. Kooima Ag needed a Charpy impact test to measure the knife’s toughness. Kooima Ag has an in-house metallurgist but didn’t have this testing capability. However, CIRAS did.
Using the analysis from CIRAS, Kooima Ag chose a different chemistry for the steel used in the product and an optimized heat treatment process. The result was an improved and more reliable product for customers.
Kooima Ag identified a mixer knife used to cut and mix feed for livestock as a product line for export. They wanted a sense of demand and steps for reaching potential international markets.
“We gave them recommendations for the top two or three and success factors for each,” Thompson said.
“CIRAS validated what we saw as potential markets for our mixer knife,” said Vande Waerdt.
Workforce Innovation
One of the most innovative Kooima Ag-CIRAS projects involves an exoskeleton. Kooima Ag’s employees do a lot of lifting and bending as they pick up and pack heavy parts. Workers can wear an exoskeleton to enhance performance and ease wear and tear on their bodies. Studies have shown that the technology can reduce back and knee discomfort.
“It’s like something out of a Marvel movie,” Thompson said. “Companies with aging workforces are particularly interested in exoskeletons as they help reduce stress on the body from repetitive motions.”
CIRAS has systems available for companies to borrow and pilot before investing in one. A team of Kooima Ag employees tried the exoskeleton and now the company plans to purchase a system of their own.
“We make connections that help Iowa companies create better products, have happier employees, and retain more satisfied customers,” said Thompson.
For more information, contact Derek Thompson at thompson@iastate.edu or 515-419-2163.