Three Iowa companies were recognized as among the “most ethical” in the United States, according to a recent MarketBeat survey.
The financial media company said it surveyed more than 3,000 people from different demographics last month to determine which companies they feel best align with their personal ethics and values.
The results were a list of 118 businesses that MarketBeat considers to be the “most ethical” across the U.S. Survey results were adjusted to reflect national population benchmarks, according to MarketBeat. The survey found that people value brands that continue to have a presence and remain close to the communities they were founded in, as well as prioritize employee ownership and focus on sustainability and ethical behavior.
“Whether it’s a local grocer that pays fair wages or a heritage brand that reinvests in its hometown, people reward companies that make them feel good about spending money with them,” Marketbeat said in the report.
What are Iowa’s ‘most ethical’ companies according to MarketBeat?
Here are the Iowa companies that made MarketBeat’s “most ethical” list:
What did MarketBeat say about New Pioneer Food Co-op?
MarketBeat praised the community-owned grocery store, which has operated in Iowa for over five decades, for selling sustainably-sourced products from local farmers and for promoting “community reinvestment.”
“Beyond groceries, it’s a gathering point for shared values — healthy food, fair trade, and environmental stewardship — that mirrors Iowa’s cooperative spirit,” MarketBeat said.
Besides Iowa City, New Pioneer Food Co-op also has locations in Coralville and Cedar Rapids.
What did MarketBeat say about the Pella Corporation?
“This family-run window and door manufacturer is proof that large-scale production can still act responsibly. Pella prioritizes energy efficiency, American manufacturing, and volunteerism through its ‘Hope at Work’ initiative,” MarketBeat said. “Its combination of craftsmanship and community care fits perfectly with Iowa’s quiet, hardworking moral code.”
In 1925, Pete and Lucille Kuyper invested in the Des Moines-based Rolscreen Co., maker of a retractable window screen, and moved it to their hometown of Pella. In 1937, the company made its first windows, and in 1992, Rolscreen Co. changed its name to Pella Corp.
Today, the window- and door-maker employs more than 10,000 people across the U.S. and Canada. Pella Corp. was ranked the 16th best employer in Iowa in 2025 by Forbes.
What did MarketBeat say about Kinze Manufacturing?
“Kinze is known for fair wages, on-site training, and long-term employee loyalty,” MarketBeat said. “Its locally built machinery supports family farmers worldwide, but its roots — and ethics — remain distinctly Iowan: practical, humble, and built to last.”
Founded in 1965, Kinze Manufacturing, Inc., is a manufacturer of planters for row-crop production, grain carts and high-speed tillage equipment. Its headquarters and main North American factory are in Williamsburg.
What are the top 10 ‘most ethical’ companies in the US?
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Three Iowa businesses deemed among the ‘most ethical’ companies in US
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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