At L&P, our mission is to build businesses and a culture that are sustainable for generations to come. We recently published our 2025 Sustainability Progress Report, which summarizes our progress towards the sustainability opportunities that are most important to our business.
As we remain committed to driving long-term value for our employees, customers, suppliers, and investors, we continue to focus on five pillars that will guide our sustainability strategy through 2030 and beyond:
Our People
Innovative Products
The Environment
Supply Chain Management
Business Ethics & Governance
Thank you for your ongoing dedication and support as we continue to build on our sustainability practices! You can read our 2025 Sustainability Progress Report here.
Our twelfth summer of the Doors Internship Program is underway! Through virtual workshops, our interns work on goal-setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields. We invited our interns to share their experiences this summer.
Meet David Steel from Kansas City, MO. David is a rising senior at Missouri State University studying Mechanical Engineering.
What does your internship with Leggett entail?
I’m a product development intern in the bedding department, focusing on Research & Development (R&D).
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far during your time at Leggett?
There are several things that I’ve learned, which I consider equally valuable. I’ve learned about important career advice from Leggett leaders during the Doors presentations, what processes are used in product development to help customers, and how to draft using SolidWorks to ensure drawings are optimally understandable.
What are your goals through your internship?
My goal is to say yes to as much as possible and gain exposure wherever I can. The more I’ve said yes, the more unique projects I’ve been able to work on, which have ranged from drafting designs to fluids calculations, Excel automation, and finite element analysis evaluations.
What has been your favorite part of your internship at Leggett?
My favorite part about Leggett is how every project in the bedding department is unique, with changes in barrel diameter, out-of-pocket height, coil zoning, or any number of factors. Every day is a new day, and there’s always new information to learn and collaborate on.
How will you apply your experience this summer to your career?
My experience at Leggett will have given me a better perspective on drafting, problem-solving, and R&D processing, which will help my heat exchanger research documentation, Formula SAE team’s design process, and preparation for my future career.
Our twelfth summer of the Doors Internship Program is underway! Through virtual workshops, our interns work on goal-setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields. We invited our interns to share their experiences this summer.
Meet Tamanna Chowdhury from New York City. Tamanna is a rising senior at Columbia University, majoring in climate system science with a minor in statistics.
What does your internship with Leggett entail?
At Leggett, I’m working with the Sustainability team, assisting with data analysis related to energy, water, and waste, as well as supporting specific projects assigned by my supervisor and the broader team.
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far during your time at Leggett?
One thing I’ve already learned is how welcoming and supportive the environment at Leggett is and that everyone is willing to go the extra mile to help you succeed.
What are your goals through your internship?
Through this internship, I hope to grow both technically and professionally. I’m eager to deepen my understanding of sustainability reporting, team dynamics, and how large companies integrate ESG goals into their operations.
What has been your favorite part of your internship at Leggett?
My favorite part of the internship has been hearing from the speakers. Their insights on professional development have been incredibly valuable and have already given me tools I can carry forward.
How will you apply your experience this summer to your career?
I plan to apply what I learn this summer to my senior thesis and coursework in the fall. In the long term, I hope to pursue a career focused on sustainability solutions, and this experience is helping lay the foundation for me to do just that.
July is all about celebrating the DOORS Internship Program here at Leggett & Platt!
DOORS opens pathways for students to gain real-world experience across departments like Talent Management, Engineering, Accounting, and more. Through the program, students grow as professionals, contribute meaningful work, and build lifelong connections.
This year, we’re proud to host 16 interns from universities across the U.S., including Florida A&M, Brandeis, and Columbia University.
Ginna Gonzalez, who oversees DOORS and College Programs at L&P, shares, “Choose a company that lets you grow in every direction: up, around, down, across, and where your journey forward doesn’t require starting over. Take Leggett for example – we have a global footprint where tenure is treasured, benefits are preserved, and every arrow points toward a new and exciting venture of growth at any stage in your journey. From local roots to worldwide reach, opportunity has no borders here.“
Stay tuned all month as we spotlight the talent behind the program!
At L&P, our employee resource groups (ERGs) are communities where our colleagues can learn and grow together. We recently launched Valor – an ERG dedicated to creating a strong community that fosters belonging, support, and engagement for our employee veterans, military families, and allies.
Kenny
To celebrate Valor’s launch and growth, we’re sharing members’ stories. This month, we’d like you to meet Kenny Gay! We talked to Kenny about his career at L&P, military experience, and why he joined Valor.
Tell us about your career at L&P.
I joined L&P as Receiving/Costing Manager for the Winchester Steel branch in January of 2000. Within a year, I became Compliance Manager for the Winchester Steel and Georgetown branches. The following year, I was promoted to EHS Director and Corporate Loss Control Engineer for our Bedding business. After a leave of absence, I returned to L&P as Corporate Loss Engineer, serving as a liaison for our Hume Furniture business and some of our ECS branches. I was later promoted to my current role, which is Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager for Furniture in North America.
During my time with L&P, I’ve visited many international branches – including facilities in South Africa, Uruguay, China, Croatia, Holland, England, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil – to provide EHS assessments and improvements.
What would you like to share about your military experience?
I’m a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves.
I joined the military on October 10, 1988. After I got out of basic/AIT (Advanced Individual Training), I went to several schools while on active duty until I transitioned to the Reserves in June of 1999. Next, I had a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to an Army Reserves unit in Lexington, KY. Then, I received a PCS out of the Reserves in June of 2004.
While in the military, I visited many countries and regions such as Korea, Mt. Sinai in Egypt and the Middle East, Panama, Germany, Italy, Israel, Greenland, Switzerland, and Austria.
While serving, I saw some combat. I was very proud and honored to be a part of that experience because I deemed it a service to make the situation better.
What motivated you to join the military and what did you learn from your experience?
I joined the military because I was burned out on sports. I met a recruiter who asked me if I would like to get an education while getting the opportunity to travel the world and I did! The discipline and structure I gained from being in the military prepared me for the civilian world. Military service taught me that nothing is given – you must earn everything you seek to be really good at and with work comes reward!
Why did you join Valor?
I joined Valor because the transition from military to civilian life is hard unless you have someone to help guide you. I joined so our loved ones could have a liaison that they can reach out to when they need help or guidance. I want to help with the transition experience – to make things better for veterans and family members while they’re adjusting to the civilian world.
A military career and civilian life are two different worlds, but there is a common goal to succeed.
Thank you, Kenny, for your service, for sharing your experience, and for helping strengthen Valor’s community!
Recently, the Carthage Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual banquet, themed “The Golden Ticket” – a night filled with creativity, celebration, and recognition of outstanding leadership within our community. Leggett & Platt proudly sponsored a table and joined local businesses in decorating to match the whimsical theme inspired by Willy Wonka.
Among the evening’s highlights was a moment of great pride for our team – Suzanne Hall, Assistant Treasurer, was honored with the ATHENA Leadership Award.
The ATHENA Award recognizes women who excel in their profession, give back meaningfully to the community, and actively mentor others in achieving their leadership potential. Suzanne exemplifies all of these qualities through her dedication, vision, and service.
Suzanne has been a passionate advocate and guiding force at Leggett & Platt and the Carthage Area United Way. From championing the annual employee giving campaign to helping lead the Annual Golf Scramble, Suzanne’s leadership and encouragement continue to elevate those around her.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Suzanne on this well-deserved honor, and thank everyone who represented Leggett & Platt.
This National Safety Month, we’re proud to recognize the outstanding achievement of ECS Fort Smith in Fort Smith, Arkansas. With 193 (and counting) consecutive days without a recordable injury, the facility has achieved its longest injury-free streak since joining Leggett & Platt in 2019 – an accomplishment that reflects their unwavering commitment to putting people first.
Cristina Hassell, EHS Supervisor, credits this milestone to the relaunch of their safety committee, which has sparked a powerful shift in the culture.
“There’s been a huge positive response,” says Cristina. “Our committee is engaged, hands-on, and focused. The leadership team has really stepped up to support safety across the board.”
Safety is woven into the daily routines at ECS Fort Smith. From daily safety meetings and weekly pop quizzes (with soda “pop” rewards) to recognizing safe work habits with T-shirts and actively involving employees in Job Safety Analysis (JSA) development, the team fosters ownership at every level. Monthly zone audits and peer-led new hire safety training reinforce consistent, proactive practices.
Overcoming complacency and shifting mindsets have been key challenges, but the team continues to raise the bar. In recognition of their achievement, they will receive a thank-you letter and an official safety award from branch leadership.
Congratulations to everyone at ECS Fort Smith for setting the standard and proving that safety starts with us!
As we continue to recognize National Safety Month, we’re proud to spotlight two standout teams from Peterson Chemical Technology (PCT). Fort Smith Ayers and Fort Smith – both located in Fort Smith, Arkansas – exemplify our value of putting people first through their dedication to a safe and supportive workplace.
PCT – Fort Smith Ayers reached an incredible milestone of 597 days without a recordable injury, while PCT – Fort Smith has gone an outstanding 856 days injury-free. These achievements reflect the strength of a culture rooted in proactive safety practices and daily accountability.
“Our employees feel comfortable speaking with management at any time about safety concerns or suggestions,” said Cristina Hassell, EHS Supervisor. “We keep the lines of communication open and reinforce the importance of safety in every conversation – whether it’s through our daily meetings, monthly zone audits, or even informal check-ins.”
Both branches are being recognized with achievement certificates, and a special thank-you celebration will be held to honor their dedication. These milestones are more than just numbers – they represent a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone goes home safe every day.
Thank you to the teams at PCT for making safety a core part of your culture!
Team Members from PCT – Fort Smith (top) and PCT – Fort Smith Ayers (bottom) holding safety certificates.
At our Pacoma Ningbo facility in China, employees recently came together to create a Quality and Safety Culture wall – a powerful symbol of their shared commitment to excellence.
Each team member signed the wall, pledging to uphold the highest standards in product quality, meet delivery timelines, and tackle the toughest challenges with passion and confidence.
This initiative reflects how we’re actively strengthening our safety culture in our facilities worldwide – not just through words but through visible, collective action.
As we recognize Safety Month, we are proud of Pacoma Ningbo’s commitment to putting people first and creating a workplace where safety and care are the standard!
