Built to last: Focusing on What Matters

In 1911, members of the Iowa Manufacturers Association (the predecessor of ABI) championed the state’s first workers’ compensation laws. They understood the risks their employees faced on the job and the importance of affordable protection for both workers and employers.

Among them was John A. Gunn, a valve manufacturer from Kellogg, who — along with four fellow board members — took action. That same year, they founded the Employers Mutual Casualty Association, now EMC Insurance. Their vision: Create an insurer that delivered dependable service at fair rates, tailored to the needs of manufacturers and contractors.

Insurance has always been about more than policies and premiums — it’s about people, progress, and protecting what matters most. That belief is at the heart of EMC Insurance. Their vision still drives EMC today.

A legacy was made
From its beginnings in workers’ compensation, EMC has grown into a trusted partner for businesses countrywide. As manufacturers and contractors face new challenges — supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and rapid advancements like AI and automation—EMC continues to deliver insurance solutions that help businesses stay resilient and thrive.

The story of EMC is more than corporate history; it’s a reminder of how foresight and collaboration can leave a lasting legacy. Just as those early leaders built protections that shaped an industry, today EMC works alongside ABI members to safeguard businesses, support growth, and strengthen communities.

More than 110 years later, the legacy lives on — rooted in manufacturing, carried forward by innovation, and dedicated to protecting what’s ahead.