LBS Celebrates 100-Years!

Evolving with the times, company that started with bookbinding celebrates 100 years on Des Moines' East Side

Hannah Rodriguez,
Des Moines Register
Published 7:01PM Oct. 11, 2021

LBS has survived the Great Depression, World War II, the Great Recession and now the COVID-19 pandemic, evolving throughout its 100-year history from a library binding service to a global manufacturer and distributor of book-binding materials, luxury packaging and preservation materials.

Celebrating its centennial year on Des Moines' East Side with food trucks, an open house and current and former employees, Rob Mauritz, LBS President and CEO said “this is just the beginning.”

“It's a lot to be said to make it through 100 years, and we're not stopping today,” Mauritz said at the Oct. 7 celebration.

Chris Paxson, senior vice president at LBS, said a culture of philanthropy within the company further sets LBS apart. She presented a $10,000 check for the East Side Library, saying the donation will “continue promoting literacy and helping our local East side neighborhood."

"It only made sense for us to celebrate our 100-year anniversary by giving something back to
our community," Paxson said.

Mauritz attributes LBS’ overall longevity to the company’s ability to adapt with technology and shifting consumer demands. LBS began in 1921 as Hertzberg Bindery, serving 25% of the nation’s libraries by 1934.

In 1983, LBS added a Corporate Image division that focuses on the manufacturing of luxury packaging. By 1986, the company’s “three-legged stool,” Mauritz said, was complete with the addition of an Archival Products division, manufacturing products that assist with preservation efforts.

“We’re very bullish on all divisions of the company,” Mauritz said. “But if we had not made some changes, we wouldn’t be in the position of strength that we are.”

Earlier this year, LBS acquired competitor Gane Brothers & Lane Inc. and purchased equipment from Germany, becoming the first company in North America to work with the state-of-the-art machinery that automates steps of the manufacturing processes.

Mauritz said that while LBS' dedication to reimagining the company's offerings and operations has been crucial to its success, LBS' status as an employee-owned company since 2014 has allowed its staff to continue a traditional culture with family values.

"We treat each other with respect and that makes it a good environment to come to work every day," Mauritz said, noting the average length of tenure at LBS is 11 years. "Iowa people are nice people. There’s a trustworthiness in Iowans and we’ve been on the East Side the entire time."

Art Singelyn has worked in the cover materials department at LBS for a little over a year, joining the company after the COVID-19 pandemic paused LBS' hiring. He said LBS' working environment is a cultural reset for him after he spent more than a decade at another company that then outsourced its printing division.

"The culture here is a lot different," Singelyn said. "Your son's working here, your mom's working in this department, your dad's over somewhere else... there's a lot of that. You'll hear names repeated. It takes family to a whole new level."

Hannah Rodriguez covers retail for the Register. Reach her at herodriguez@registermedia.com or on Twitter @byherodriguez

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