Darel and his father Leo started L & R Manufacturing in 1981 out of a garage on their farm. They manufactured custom parts for farmers ranging from grain bin equipment to hog equipment. Three years later, Darel bought the business from his father and the business started to grow and expand. In 1988 the operation moved off the farm to a building in Lawler, Iowa. The business continues to grow and gain a reputation for quality custom metal fabrication for private and commercial use. The business soon outgrew the building in Lawler and in 2002 a new building was built outside New Hampton, Iowa that doubled office and production space to over 20,000 square feet.