Jannette Lesmeister tests the Homeland Defender suit for leaks. This suit protects against chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. Serious Protection L.B. Manufacturing protects those who protect us by Jim McCarty | jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop P icture this: An explosion rocks a major U.S. city. Lives are at stake, so law enforcement personnel swiftly prepare to respond. Unsure of the threat, they carefully don hazardous materials suits for protection. The suits include integrated gloves and socks, liquid- and vapor-proof zippers and a butyl rubber seal that snugs up against a face mask. Should the wearer suffer an injury, a rescue harness can be attached to tabs on the back of the suit to drag the person to safety. The suit is designed to protect the user from chemical warfare, biological or industrial chemicals. And it is one of two classes made in Iberia, Missouri by employees of L.B. Manufac- 34 RURAL MISSOURI | FEBRUARY 2020 turing Co. The Iberia plant got its start in January of 1965 when Louis Blauer and his three sons started operations in a building that once housed the Iberia Academy. The Blauers made a name for themselves by supplying garments to department stores in Boston. Those early products included sport coats, jackets and raincoats. The company moved into raincoats for the armed forces, and later police departments. Demand for its products was so great that Louis decided to expand and opened the plant in Iberia. By 1970 the operation had outgrown the academy building. It moved to a new building on the east end of town where it remains today. Iberia The plant is one of the largest electrical loads for Gascosage Electric Cooperative. Beginning with the Iberia facility, the company has grown to two manufacturing