WHAT WE DO

​Provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity for meaningful work and skill based pay.

OUR STORY

​ In 1965, important government legislation gave birth to vocational opportunities for people with disabilities. The 73rd, General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 52 which established the Extended Employment Sheltered Workshop Program. The law directed the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Section of Sheltered Workshops to assist communities, which demonstrated interest in providing extended employment for their citizens with disabilities. Through this program, less productive workers who were generally kept out of the work force, because of what they couldn’t do are now paid for the amount of work they COULD do.

In 1974 a group of dedicated parents and citizens established a Sheltered Workshop in Laclede County calling it the Lebanon Work Center. They were so successful that by 1978, the workshop had outgrown their current location and put a Senate Bill 40 Tax on the ballot which was approved by Laclede County voters in August of 1980. This funding along with land donated by Hillcrest Development, allowed them to build a 10,000 square foot building at 941 Utah St., in Lebanon. Shortly thereafter, they changed the name to Laclede Industries and we still reside at this location today.

Laclede Industries has experienced vast changes over the years. We have come from 15 employees and one project to assisting over 1,100 employees since inception.

Current business units include the following:

Recycling - Laclede Industries is the largest material recovery facility in Laclede, Camden, Miller, Morgan, Webster, Wright and Dallas Counties. We also contract with area businesses for removal and processing of material. As an offshoot of the recycling business, we also provide secure document destruction. Vertically integrating again into being a provider of kennel paper.

Janitorial Services - Laclede Industries maintains the Conway Welcome Center both east and west bound, 365 days a year and we provide clean up for the City of Lebanon for clean up after special events.

Yardwork - Laclede Industries provides maintenance services for the City of Lebanon Downtown Business District, Lebanon-Laclede County Library, various businesses within the community as well as abatement services for the City of Lebanon. ​ Packaging and Assembly - Laclede Industries stuffs and assembles over 5 million Easter eggs, then packages and ships them directly to customers each year. Laclede Industries also assembles various components for area businesses. Employees will be found putting together hair color kits, product warranty bags and assembling various electrical components on any given day. ​

Our employees are capable of all types of work with the appropriate accommodation being supplied. We are diverse and flexible, able to meet current demands and adapt to ever changing circumstances.

Despite having employees considered to be at higher risk than the normal population, our services are considered essential and thus during the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued to work after some quick restructuring to ensure adequate distancing and precautions were kept, and entered into a new contract assembling N95 masks.

Laclede Industries is a source of great pride. It is a successful business, respected in the community and known for the fine work our employees do. This success can be attributed to the efforts of many parents, staff, board members, City, County and Elected Officials, volunteers and other concerned citizens in our community.