IKA Works Inc.

2635 Northchase Parkway SE

Equipping labs: IKA Works Inc. manufactures products used by universities, biotech companies and more. (Photos c/o Ika Works Inc.)
No. of local employees: 100 
Year founded: 1910, in Wilmington since 1994 
Top local official: Sarah Stiegelmann, managing director 
Company description: Equipment manufacturing company 
Products made locally: Laboratory, bioprocess, electric vehicle and process equipment  
Product distribution: Universities, R&D facilities, biotech companies, pharmaceutical companies and food and beverage companies 
What made the company decide to make its goods locally? Stiegelmann: “As a company headquartered in Germany, the significance of the U.S. market was always clear. Back in the ’80s, IKA opened a location in Cincinnati. In 1994, IKA Works Inc. moved from Cincinnati to Wilmington to increase production capacity in the U.S. Wilmington was selected because of its quality of life, proximity to the Research Triangle Park and closeness to the sea (which was its own factor).” 
What’s your target market? Stiegelmann: “Our target market includes all things life sciences, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, chemical and academia.” 
What’s next? Stiegelmann: “This year, we have a handful of products that will launch and act as important additions to the capabilities we supply to our customers. Wilmington is excited to bring more product lines in-house. By producing additional products in Wilmington, our lead times and service will improve. IKA Works launched two new divisions last year, adding Bioprocess and Electric Vehicles divisions. That gives us the capacity to bring these lines over and launch these divisions. We are also constructing an additional building for equipment production with a ribbon cutting expected this fall.”