Ranews Companies expands in QC, $33.7M impact

Ranews Companies, a Georgia-based manufacturer known for its “Product Solutions” philosophy is celebrating its Quad Cities expansion into Davenport.

Company officials joined Quad Cities Chamber leaders in a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, June 18, at the Ranews plant at 8360 Research Drive in the Eastern Iowa Industrial Center. Ranews also has a plant in East Moline at 3015 Fifth Ave., and locations in Waterloo, Iowa and Thomaston, Ga.

Ranews fabricates, paints and assembles parts for clients in the agriculture and construction industries.

Asked to describe the scope of the company’s expansion to Davenport, company CEO Robert Brock said Ranews was asked by a customer to establish liquid coatings capability in the Quad Cities area for their coating needs. “As a result, we identified the facility we currently occupy and relocated a paint line from Georgia over the course of about six months.”

The processes are different at the Davenport plant and the East Moline plant. While the Davenport plant has an automated liquid painting line, East Moline operates e-coat and powder coat lines, according to the company.

Brock said Davenport was an attractive location for the expansion because of “proximity to our customer and the availability of new industrial space.”

In addition, he said, “There is an experienced workforce in the area, and we received great support from the community to get our operation up and running.” There are approximately 65 employees currently at the Davenport plant.

Ranews has invested over $6.5 million in machinery and equipment at their Davenport location. The economic impact of this Ranews facility is over $33.7 million annually.

Chris Caves, Vice President, Business & Economic Growth, for the Quad Cities Chamber,  said spotlighting the Ranews expansion affirms the story of industrial strength in the Quad Cities community. “The story is about the continued investment in the Quad Cities, the legacy of our workforce, the legacy of people working in manufacturing,” she said.

Technical assistance from the Chamber included an introduction to the Center for Industrial Research & Service (CIRAS), Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) for training needs and workforce resources. Brock said the company has received grants for training and engaged with EICC in a 260E contract.

Brock described the culture at Ranew’s as very customer-focused. “Every employee is committed to collaborating with our customers to ensure that we are exceeding expectations,” he said. “While our core business is industrial coatings, our employees recognize that we are in the business of solving problems for our customers and they embrace opportunities to go above and beyond to ensure our customers know they can count on Ranew’s to deliver.”

Ranews announced in May 2023 that it earned recognition as a John Deere Supplier of the Year and Partner-level supplier for 2022. In a news release, Ranews officials said the honor was “in recognition of its dedication to providing products and service of outstanding quality as well as its commitment to continuous improvement.”

Ranews Companies has its roots in a small one-bay paint and body shop in Sunnyside, Ga., founded in 1981 by Lester Ranew. He soon realized that his customers needed more than just paint and body work, and he began delivering “Product Solutions.”

According to information on the company’s website, ranews.com, Ranews’ commitment to helping customers who had a specific idea, or a product that required fabrication, assembly or painting, led to new business opportunities. The company’s customer base includes local, state, national and international companies.

Ranews participates in supporting the local community by conducting fundraisers throughout the year, according to HR Director Michelle Simms. In May, the Ranews Davenport location, along with others, conducted a book drive. Children’s books are going to the Davenport Community School District, and adult books have been donated to the One Eighty nonprofit organization. 

“We look forward to helping support in other ways this year, including but not limited to the Hunger Drive and Toys for Tots,” she said.