Family business Legacy Manufacturing Company was founded in 1986 as a subsidiary of Weems Industries with a mission “to create innovative products that customers are passionate about.” It is most well known for its Flexzilla hoses, tools, and other equipment. Not only is the Flexzilla garden hose the most popular garden hose on Amazon, but it was also accepted into the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, where it advanced to the top 16. The company makes all of its products to last, reducing the need for replacements and saving customers money. Thanks to a flexible hybrid polymer, for example, Flexzilla garden hoses “can last well over a decade, showcasing our commitment to creating long-lasting, high-performance products.”
In 2016, Legacy opened a $10.4 million, 133,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Marion, Iowa, where the company had been operating for two decades. Vice President Matt Weems explained how the facility helped them to consolidate operations under one roof and double their capacity: “We have outgrown our current facility and operate out of several locations. We need the space to increase our efficiencies and support continued growth for the future. This new building helps us to supply our customers at an even higher service level.”
The following year, the manufacturer announced plans to invest between $11 million and $14 million to expand the facility by 200,000 square feet for a warehouse. The Marion Economic Development Corporation spearheaded project development, while the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance helped prepare the state application. Meanwhile, the City of Marion and the Iowa Economic Development Authority approved $1.1 million in tax incentives for the project, making it feasible.
Photo Courtesy Legacy Manufacturing Company…