FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laurie Johns, Iowa Farm Bureau, (515) 225-5414

NEWTON ENGINEERING COMPANY WINS RENEW RURAL IOWA ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – May 28, 2009 – Adapting, learning and reinventing are concepts familiar to the employees at Newton-based Springboard Engineering. That spirit drives their success and has led them to be named Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Month, awarded by Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF).

Springboard Engineering was brought to life when another Newton-based company -- Maytag -- closed its doors. Jordan Bruntz, Springboard Engineering president, was among several engineers working to develop small appliances and equipment for Maytag when Whirpool bought out the company and offered him a job in their new facility half-way across the country. But moving didn’t interest Bruntz or many of the engineers he worked with. “Many including myself thought ‘wow- I don’t want to leave Iowa…..can we do something else?’” said Bruntz. Springboard Engineering was born.

Bruntz and his fellow engineers learned how to apply their skills to more than laundry and other appliances. The company now provides services including: concept creation, engineering, prototyping and production start-ups to upwards of 50 different unique clients around the globe. Their clients specialize in everything from agriculture and medical equipment to alternative energy and music. “We certainly enjoyed our heritage with home appliances but to see that transfer into so many other products is exciting,” Bruntz said.

“Renew Rural Iowa is pleased to tout a business that is leading the way for rural Iowa,” said Sandy Ehrig, IFBF economic development administrator. “Springboard Engineering truly is a story of renewal. Here is a group of people who believe so much in their community that they are willing to start over with their careers so they can stay and make their local business climate stronger and more vibrant,” she said.

 To learn more about Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa, visit www.renewruraliowa.com.

About Iowa Farm Bureau The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa. More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity. For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

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