“I’d always wanted to see this because when you drive by, it just looks so massive,” Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird remarked as she wrapped up a stop at Lennox Industries, one of Marshalltown’s oldest and largest private employers, on Friday afternoon.

Bird, a Republican who is up for re-election in 2026, spent about an hour touring the museum, performance audit lab and the factory floor of the famous HVAC manufacturer founded all the way back in 1895 while also spending some time in the boardroom discussing regulatory issues with company leaders. Along with company leadership, Marshall County Attorney Jordan Gaffney and State Rep. David Blom (R-Marshalltown) accompanied her on the visit.

Head of Government Affairs Eric Zito explained that Lennox, which is headquartered in Texas and currently employs 668 people in Marshalltown, is a $5 billion company and part of the S&P 500 with a portfolio including residential and commercial HVAC and refrigeration products for a wide variety of customers.

“It’s a big company. We sell across all of North America — well, the U.S. and Canada — but it all started right here in Marshalltown, and that’s the really cool thing about it,” Zito said. “This is still our most important plant when you look at the product that comes out of it, so when I’m visiting with lawmakers in D.C. or the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) or Department of Energy… one of the first things I always say when I introduce Lennox is (that it was) founded over 130 years ago by Dave Lennox in Marshalltown, Iowa.”

Those local roots are an important part of the company’s identity, he added, before breaking down some recent changes in the use of refrigerants and noting that Lennox is part of a heavily regulated industry. Quality and Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager Wesley Draughn explained that “everything had to change” due to shifts in federal environmental regulations.

Zito stressed the importance of a predictable regulatory framework in working with the EPA but felt that Lennox has handled transitions well throughout its history.

“A point of pride here and for Lennox is that we make the most efficient heat pump, the most efficient air conditioner and furnace that you can buy, and they all come out of this building,” Zito said. “So if you’re looking for the top end, the best, it’s designed and built right here in Marshalltown.”

Bird asked about the issues the company has faced, specifically mentioning “California regulations” as governing bodies in the nation’s most populous state are known for enacting stricter environmental policies than the rest of the country. Zito said local air districts have imposed rules intended to help reduce smog, but one change required the company to invent a low-emission furnace that hadn’t existed before, requiring a major investment.

“That’s not something that we would see spreading very much to other parts of the country. It operates very differently than standard furnaces,” he said.

In the California market, there is also a larger shift away from gas altogether toward electrified systems, and similar changes are afoot in Canada.

“We have a history of working with regulators. We try to be a trusted partner at the table working with our competitors, but working together as a group to try to come up with regulations that make sense for the consumer,” Zito said.

Bird expressed a willingness to work with Lennox leadership on any future regulatory issues that arise.

“Of course we all want clean air, and we want things to work. But sometimes the regulations don’t work the way they’re really supposed to, so there’s times that we weigh in with the federal government or a state,” she said. “The reason I mention California is sometimes they dictate to other states what they have to do just because they’re big, and we don’t like that in Iowa. Iowans should be able to make our own rules.”

She described Lennox as an important part of Marshalltown and the state of Iowa and shared gratitude that they have remained here even after the devastating 2018 tornado. Zito said the state government in Iowa has been “very helpful,” and Marshalltown Director of Plant Operations Kevin Harken told Bird that while workforce recruitment is always a challenge, the company has been fortunate to hire great employees in Marshalltown. After she completed a tour of the factory floor, the attorney general took a few questions from the T-R on the purpose of her visit, the regulatory issues discussed and her case for re-election in 2026.

“Lennox has been such a big part of Marshalltown but also Iowa, you know, having it as an Iowa company. I’d always wanted to see what it looked like inside the massive building that you see from the outside. I’ve never been inside, so (it was a) great tour today. We also talked about regulations and ways that we can work together to make sure those regulations make sense and have the intended outcomes. But it’s good to be here,” Bird said.

She added that she hadn’t been involved in any litigation specifically involving Lennox as the attorney general, but she felt that consumers should have options to purchase gas-based appliances if they wish, citing regulations enacted under the Biden Administration. Bird, a Republican who was first elected in 2022 after defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Tom Miller, said her 2026 platform includes working closely with county attorneys like Gaffney to keep Iowans safe and assist crime victims across Iowa.

Although there was speculation that she would run for governor after the announcement that current Gov. Kim Reynolds would not seek another term, Bird opted to vie for four more years in her current office and was asked for her thoughts on the state of the race as five Republicans — Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), former Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Director Adam Steen, State Rep. Eddie Andrews, former State Rep. Brad Sherman and farmer and businessman Zach Lahn — are competing for the GOP nomination.

“Like everybody else, I’m watching and seeing what’s going on. I haven’t endorsed anybody. I don’t know if I will, but I will vote. I’ll tell you that,” she said.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.