L&P Automotive Team Celebrates Pongal

Our Automotive team in India recently celebrated Pongal – a Hindu harvest festival that marks the beginning of the month called Thai and is celebrated by people with ties to Tamil Nadu, India.

Lasting for four days, Pongal involves new beginnings, giving thanks, and strengthening communal ties. Families clean their homes, remove unwanted items, and decorate the entrances of their homes with kolam – beautiful floor patterns created from rice flour. They also gather together for festive meals, which includes boiling pots of pongal – a traditional mix of rice and milk. During the festival, the community honors Surya, the Sun God, and cattle for helping bring a bountiful harvest.

Pugazhendi M.

To celebrate, our colleagues in India gathered for a small pooja (worship ceremony), played games, and created kolam. A couple of our colleagues shared their thoughts on the celebration:

Pugazhendi, Manufacturing Department, said, “I liked participating in our event and was thrilled to win the pot break challenge. Every year during Pongal, L&P gives us time to spend with family, and I’m grateful for that. I’m looking forward to more special events in the future.”

E. Sharath Kumar

E. Sharath Kumar, Manufacturing Department, shared, “Pongal is a fun-packed event that keeps us engaged and united. I had a lot of fun participating in the activities and got second place during one of the games.”

Check out some of the photos from the event below!

Meet Dee Sawyer, Operation Compliance Manager

During February, we’re inviting our colleagues to share about life at Leggett, what they’re proud of, and what Black History Month means to them.

First up, meet Dee Sawyer! Dee – Operation Compliance Manager at Hanes – has been with us for 24 years.

What does a typical day at work look like for you, and what do you enjoy most about your role?

I truly love what I do! I’m usually traveling to another state to ensure branches are following L&P procedures. I travel frequently. Last year, I was gone for half of the year.

I enjoy meeting new people, visiting different branches, and helping others. It’s important for the branches to know that they have support.  

What are you most proud of?

I’m proud that I’ve worked my way up at Hanes. I’ve had 12 positions, starting with a truck loader. I started on second shift as a truck loader and have worked in different departments and through different shifts. Approximately six years ago, I started helping on the integration team by training other branches, helping with branch moves, and assisting with acquisitions. My work ethic was noticed, as I traveled to different branches and the branches started requesting my assistance. I was offered a position on the integration team, and I’ve been advancing ever since!

My advice is to always be true to your work ethic. No matter how discouraged you get or feel your work is being overlooked, be patient because the right people will notice, and your time will come when it should – that’s God’s timing. What’s meant to be will be!

What does Black History Month mean to you?

For me, it’s a celebration of everything we overcame and will overcome. It’s recognizing everyone who’s made a difference to get us to where we are today. It’s a month that reminds me to continue letting my light shine bright through adversity.  

Careers & Professional Growth at L&P

At L&P, we offer a world of opportunity, employing thousands of individuals around the globe – from maintenance mechanics to IT specialists, office administrators to welders, marketing specialists to engineers, and everything in between.

Our Learning & Development team creates in-house training on subjects like front-line supervisor essentials, how to manage conflict in the workplace, and many others. We also have a Learning and Leadership internal site that features regularly updated tools, resources, and live training.

From taking on new responsibilities to learning new skills, our colleagues have shown dedication and commitment to their careers. This month on L&P social media, we’ll highlight some of their personal stories of professional growth.

Looking for a new opportunity and a place to grow? Join us today!

Resources for Black History Month

Black history is American history, and every year in February, the U.S. celebrates Black History Month – a time dedicated to ensuring the stories, achievements, and voices of Black Americans do not fade into the background. In honor of Black History Month, we’d like to share a few resources and events you can attend to learn more about Black history and achievements.

Since 1928, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has assigned an annual theme to Black History Month. This year’s theme is African Americans and the Arts, which focuses on how Black Americans have contributed to and influenced fields like literature, film, performing arts, music, and more. ASALH will host a virtual festival for Black History Month, which you can learn more about here: Black History Month Virtual Festival.

To learn more about Black history and culture, check out the following sites:

It’s Global Data Privacy Day!

January 28 is Global Data Privacy Day!

At L&P, we strive to protect personal data every day. Whether it’s the personal information of our employees, customers, or suppliers, we consider privacy and data security in every step of our processes at L&P.

We want to thank our employees for their commitment and dedication to protecting the privacy and security of personal data. We couldn’t do it without you!

New Year, New Perspectives: Max Thorpe

To kick off 2024, we’re introducing you to several of our newest employees. Meet Max Thorpe, Human Resources Generalist for our Work Furniture business!

What brought you to L&P?

I had a major injury at the beginning of the year, which landed me at the foot of L&P. I was not knowledgeable about the global brand, but on a local level, I understood how significant the business was to the area, and I knew how many opportunities L&P could provide for me.

What are you enjoying about your role so far?

I love interacting with my team. I am all about the people, and I love my daily PPE (personal protective equipment) walks. They allow me to spend time talking to the team, learning about them, and building relationships. I also really enjoy the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) aspect of my role and being able to learn the standards of the manufacturing industry.

What’s something unique about you?

Even though I currently live in Michigan, I am a HUGE Philadelphia Eagles fan, and I lived in Pennsylvania for the last six years.

Have you set any personal or professional goals for yourself?

My professional goals are to complete my master’s program at Eastern Michigan University and complete my SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management—Certified Professional) and OSHA certifications. My personal goals are to buy a home and travel to another country!

Our four company values are Put People First, Do the Right Thing, Do Great Work Together, and Take Ownership and Raise the Bar. What does it mean to you to Take Ownership and Raise the Bar?

To me, taking ownership is another way of taking accountability—being handed an issue or a project and developing it from beginning to end. Raising the bar means not settling—keep innovating or problem solving. I truly feel that the team we have in West Michigan lives up to these standards daily.

New Year, New Perspectives: Justine Kimbel

To kick off 2024, we’re introducing you to several of our newest colleagues, and we’d like you to meet Justine Kimbel! Justine is a Sustainability Coordinator.

What brought you to L&P?

I was instantly drawn to L&P when I saw that a company with such a significant global presence in design and manufacturing was looking to get ahead in sustainability. After three years of research and advising small-scale start-ups on sustainable business practices, impacts of environmental policy, circularity of production, and sourcing of responsible materials, I knew I wanted to expand my knowledge and experience by applying it to a global scale. I have a deep curiosity for understanding how business operations reflect society’s relationship with the environment, and L&P stood as an incredible opportunity to build, grow, and enhance that relationship. As a leader in innovation, quality, and comfort, L&P’s ambition to raise the bar and create lasting positive impact is something I knew I wanted to be a part of.

What are you enjoying about your role so far?

The highlight of my role has been the people I have worked with thus far. There is a strong sense of community throughout Leggett, and it has made me feel incredibly welcome. Adjusting to a new role can be challenging and confusing, but thanks to the generous help and guidance from everyone I have worked with, I’ve been able to jump in with ease.

What’s something unique about you?

When I’m not spending my free time exploring coastlines or mountains, I am playing acoustic guitar and writing music. I’ve performed as a singer-songwriter in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York, Scotland, and England. I love hosting music get-togethers with family and friends and enjoy sharing the universally understood language of music.

Have you set any personal or professional goals for yourself?

A personal goal I have set for myself is to be a go-to resource for sustainable business practices. Through professional experience on L&P’s Sustainability Team to industry conferences and opportunities for specialized education, I hope to build a personal network that allows for sharing ideas, innovations, and communities that all work to create a better, more sustainable future.

Our four company values are Put People First, Do the Right Thing, Do Great Work Together, and Take Ownership and Raise the Bar. What does it mean to you to Do Great Work Together?

To Do Great Work Together is to create a strong network of knowledge and resources that champions each person’s skills. The mindset of working as a team, knowing who to ask for help, feeling confident in your voice, and knowing that everyone has each other’s back creates a positive, productive, and closely-knit environment.

New Year, New Perspectives: Sadier Hena

To kick off 2024, we’ve been introducing you to several of our newest employees, and we’d like you to meet Sadier Hena! Sadier is a program manager for our Automotive business.

What brought you to L&P?

I have a great interest in being part of L&P as the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of seating support and comfort systems. When I initially read the description for my current role, I saw a strong correlation between L&P’s needs and my skills. Additionally, my experience during the interview process showed me that the company values putting employees first and promoting cooperation between cross-functional teams.

What are you enjoying about your role so far?

I enjoy collaborating with our global cross-functional teams. My role allows me to learn about all aspects of each project from commercial and technical points of view. Furthermore, I am very blessed to have an amazing team, and I am truly grateful for their expertise, creativity, and support.

What’s something unique about you?

I am a passionate salsa and bachata dancer. I spend most of my free time practicing and attending dance festivals across Europe.

Have you set any personal or professional goals for yourself?

As a program manager, I would like to take on new challenges, work with different teams and customers, and have a portfolio of successful projects. I also want to continue to grow professionally and contribute to L&P’s growth.

As for my personal goals, I would like to spend more time with my family, pursue my hobbies, and have a healthy work-life balance.

Our four company values are Put People First, Do the Right Thing, Do Great Work Together, and Take Ownership and Raise the Bar. What does it mean to you to Put People First?

When it comes to company success and growth, it’s all about people. If the company takes care of its employees, the employees will take care of their customers, which will lead to satisfied customers and business growth. Putting people first will not only drive business growth but also increase job satisfaction, work quality, and productivity.

New Year, New Perspectives: Ciara Coleman

To kick off 2024, we’ve been introducing you to several of our newest employees. Next up, meet Ciara Coleman! Ciara is a Litigation Attorney in our Legal department.

What brought you to L&P? 

When I was recruitedI worked in casualty litigation at a trucking company and was curious if I would be a good fit because I didn’t have a background in manufacturing. However, the more I researched Leggett and the culture here, the more convinced I became that this would be a great fit. 

What tipped the balance was seeing the investment into Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (ID&E). For me, that showed that Leggett is a company that values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of growth and openness to change. That’s been affirmed in every interaction I’ve had so far.

What are you enjoying about your role so far? 

So many things! Every day presents a challenge. Something new is always coming across my desk, which allows me to learn more about the business, the law, and our internal processes. I am thankful that my manager and department have a culture of curiosity that encourages everyone to learn from others and allows space to ask questions, collaborate on solutions, and meet with leaders across the company. I have learned so much in my role and know that I have so much more ahead of me, but I am grateful to be in an environment that will foster that growth and provide encouragement along the way.

What’s something unique about you? 

I write short stories and am a competitive baker in my spare time!

Have you set any personal or professional goals for yourself? 

My biggest goal is to further my knowledge in my current role. There is no greater teacher than experience, and the second-best teacher is someone who has already had that experience. So, most of my focus will be on learning from people within my department and throughout the organization. As part of that process, I look forward to growing my professional network and learning from those within it.

What does it mean to you to Do the Right Thing? 

From my experience, when you are faced with the decision to do the right thing, you are in a place where IQ (intelligence quotient), EQ (emotional quotient), and values are out of alignment. In that situation, you must have the courage and integrity to make decisions based on values, not past habits, personal needs, or popularity. However, doing the right thing does not stop when a decision is made, or an action is taken; it is a continual process, a mindset of viewing every action through the lens of our values and being willing to question when those are not aligned.

New Year, New Perspectives: Andrew Hawkins

To kick off 2024, we’re introducing you to several of our newest employees, and we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Hawkins! Andrew is a financial analyst for our Flooring Products business.

What brought you to L&P?

I was interested in joining a company with a lot of growth potential. When I saw the ad for a financial analyst at a such a large company, I knew that I would be able to learn a lot and strengthen my skills. After doing the in-person interview, I immediately felt that L&P was the right place.

What are you enjoying about your role so far?

I am really enjoying getting to know the business and working with people in different departments. Since I’ve been here, I’ve had the opportunity to tour a few locations and work with people in finance, sales, and operations management.

What’s something unique about you?

I can quote just about any Will Ferrell movie. My favorite movies of his are Step Brothers, The Other Guys, and Talladega Nights.

Have you set any personal or professional goals for yourself?

A personal and professional goal that I’ve always had is to get a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. I am excited to say that I am in the middle of my MBA program and expected to graduate in 2024. 

Our four company values are Put People First, Do the Right Thing, Do Great Work Together, and Take Ownership and Raise the Bar. What does it mean to you to Do Great Work Together?

It means collaboration. This is part of the reason why I love my role here—I am able to collaborate with many different people in many different departments.