Manufacturer Family History Connects Dots with the 2025 Iowa ABI Conference

By David Swartz, Business Development at Swartz and Associates

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) has proven to be a great organization for Swartz+Associates to be aligned with, and I was excited to attend their annual conference (#ABIcon25) recently held in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Excited, not only for the content and reunion with interesting members I’ve met over the years, but also for connecting to our family’s manufacturing roots in Council Bluffs.

This year’s ABI conference highlights for me were:

• Business-friendly environment to make new connections and foster existing relationships. Every participant is so approachable and willing to share their thoughts and experiences – especially the CEOs of Iowa’s largest employers.
• “Coolest Things Made in Iowa” award to the John Deere CP770 cotton picker machine. 93,000 votes were cast for various nominees and my vote went to the Viking Pump used by chocolatiers worldwide – because who doesn’t like chocolate. Want to see a John Deere CP770? Click here.
• Great breakout sessions covering content from legislative interests to how one might use an influencer in their social media. I’m not sure an influencer can make property tax that interesting – just saying.
• The Union Pacific railroad museum tour was particularly interesting since our sister company, Indurante, is critically tied to the railroad industry.

Canar Manufacturing

Since our business is property value-centric, one can’t deny the economic importance counties, developers, and investors require for utilizing land and its building improvements. This reality was evident as I walked the site of what was our family’s business – Canar Manufacturing– a small furniture manufacturing company which my grandpa and his brother (hmm… I see another theme here about brothers) moved from Council Bluffs to Omaha in the old warehouse district. This district is now Omaha’s famous Old Market entertainment district, and the Canar Manufacturing building was eventually torn down to make way for the beautiful park bordering the Old Market, ConAgra and the Missouri river.

Here are pictures which reflect how the warehouse area looked in my mind’s eye and the beautiful transformation today which clearly improved the area’s development and value.

Picture of employees Canar Mfg employees 8/10/52 Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil archives

Arial shot of Canar Mfg in the old Omaha Park where Canar Mfg once stood

Here is what it looks like today

Retracing my family history was nostalgic as I saw how much has changed and remained so familiar to me. The incredible stories shared by our state’s manufacturing industry at the ABI conference is confirmation that the future is bright for gifted leaders, entrepreneurs, and risk takers.

Our team is guided by the memories of those who took risks, and by the knowledge we learn from others.

Swartz + Associates, Inc. (SAI) is a full service property tax firm specializing in the review, analysis and appeals of real and business personal property tax valuations. If you need help with your property taxes, give us a call!