Sukup Manufacturing Co., the iconic maker of grain bins and dryers, is opening another manufacturing facility in Clear Lake, its fourth operation in northern Iowa.

The company, with headquarters in Sheffield, said it's hiring about two-dozen people at its Clear Lake plant on city's south side. The operation will boost production of the company's grain drying systems to meet increasing demand, according to Nadine Wreghitt, Sukup project manager, in a statement.

James Perez, Sukup's plant manager, said the company hired several employees who had been laid off late last year at Larson Manufacturing, which closed its Lake Mills facility just north of Clear Lake. Larson, based in South Dakota, makes storm doors and screens.

Sukup expanded its footprint nearly two years ago in Hampton with the purchase of a competitor, Global Fabrication, which made catwalks, towers and other structural products that go on grain bins and storage facilities.

Sukup, which also has an operation in Manly, continued Global's production and retained its employees.

The company has said the added operations help expand the areas from which it can draw workers. In addition to grain bins and drying systems, Sukup makes grain handling equipment and steel buildings.

With the new plant, family-owned Sukup will employ about 550 people, the company said. This year marks the company's 60th anniversary.

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457. 

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Sukup manufacturing opens its fourth northern Iowa plant