Fostering an Inclusive Culture: Global Diversity Awareness Month

October is Global Diversity Awareness Month, a time to recognize and appreciate the cultures, traditions, and perspectives that make up our world. As a global company, it’s important that we embrace the diverse backgrounds of our people so we can take more meaningful steps toward building a more inclusive, innovative, and successful company.

Last month, our Learning & Development team spotlighted how to embrace a global mindset and shared many resources with our employees. Here are a few of the things we learned and ways we can embrace a global mindset:

1. Gain self-awareness. Become aware of your own culture and biases. You might only realize you carry biases once you examine your perspectives.

2. Be curious. To quote a line from Ted Lasso: “Be curious, not judgmental.” If you don’t understand something, instead of judging, ask questions. When we ask questions, it opens our minds to new perspectives.

3. Be flexible and open-minded. If a colleague in Europe does something different, be open to the new way of working. Neither way is wrong; it’s just different.

4. Practice. Take every opportunity to learn something new about someone, whether it’s speaking their language, learning about their culture, or trying their food. The more you practice and learn, the more your mindset will grow.

To learn more about Global Diversity Awareness Month, visit The Diversity Movement.

L&P Float Wins the Sweepstakes Prize at Maple Leaf

The Maple Leaf Parade is an annual event held in Carthage, Missouri, and this year marked its 58th anniversary. The theme was “Celebrating America’s Maple Leaf City,” and L&P’s float showcased iconic features of a trip down Garrison Street. Leggett won the Sweepstakes Prize, the top honor in the float division of 182 entries.

The parade attracted an estimated 65,000 visitors to Carthage. As L&P employees and their families walked the 2-mile parade route, handing out candy, they were met with enthusiastic clapping and cheering. Leggett & Platt’s strong community spirit was on full display.

Thank you to everyone who helped construct the float, participated in the parade, and demonstrated our value of doing great work together!

Build Your Future at L&P

Build your future with us!

As a diversified manufacturer, you’ll find rewarding careers that cover many disciplines and call for your unique skillsets and experience. We offer learning and development opportunities to grow your personal and professional skills and an inclusive culture that is continuously evolving. We encourage you to stand out and help make our company even better!

With more than 100 roles open, join our team today: search careers at Leggett & Platt

Do Some Good: L&P Supports Carthage Area United Way Golf Scramble

More than 45 L&P volunteers helped host Carthage Area United Way’s annual Golf Scramble. From planning to hosting the event, our volunteers helped register 35 teams, set up stations, manage door prizes valued at over $6,000, and much more.

Together, L&P raised nearly $25,000 for the Carthage Area United Way! This was $5,000 more than the goal, and $9,000 more than last year.

Thank you to everyone who participated in making this event successful and continue to uphold our values of putting people first and doing great work together.

L&P Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Jennifer’s Story

This month, L&P teams across North America will walk together in the Susan G. Komen’s More Than Pink Walk, raising funds for breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Throughout October, we are sharing stories from our team members on how breast cancer has affected their lives.

Meet Jennifer Birch, who works in IT in Carthage, MO. We asked Jen about her experience with breast cancer and why L&P’s support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation is meaningful.

Modern Manufacturing Month: Sustainability Improvements in Our Facilities

As a modern manufacturer, we strive to minimize the environmental impacts of our products across their lifecycle. Our product sustainability goals include:

  • Incorporating sustainable design principles into our product development process
  • Assessing the use of raw materials in our products and identifying opportunities to reduce product environmental impacts
  • Advancing programs to identify, reduce, and eliminate chemicals of concern within our products and manufacturing processes

Here is some of the progress we’ve made within our businesses toward these goals.

Sustainable Innovation in Product Design

Our Adjustable Bed business redesigned an adjustable bed base that is lighter and more compact than the previous model. This new design results in the reduction of container and truck shipments annually, leading to potential fuel and emissions reductions during the transportation of the product to customers.

Responsible Use of Raw Materials

In our Automotive business, post consumer-grade recycled nylon and plastic are used to manufacture components. In addition, an operation in our Work Furniture business uses more than 400 tons of 100% post-consumer plastics and post-industrial waste each year to create high-quality structural components.

Chemical Management Programs

In 2023, we reviewed technology solutions that would enable the development of an enhanced database to track chemicals more efficiently and to improve and inform decision-making processes related to chemical management in our businesses.

To learn more about our commitment to sustainability in our manufacturing facilities, visit our website and download our Sustainability Report.

L&P Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Mary Jo’s Story

This month, L&P teams across North America will walk together in the Susan G. Komen’s More Than Pink Walk, raising funds for breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Throughout October, we are sharing stories from our team members on how breast cancer has affected their lives.

Meet Mary Jo Little, who works in Creative Services in Carthage, MO. We asked Mary Jo about her experience with breast cancer and why L&P’s support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation is meaningful.

L&P Manufacturing: Then & Today

In 1883, we invented the steel coil bedspring, helping people get a good night’s sleep. Our first bedspring factory opened in Carthage, Missouri, seven years later, and we’ve been on a mission to enhance lives ever since.

Today, we’re proud to be a global diversified manufacturer, turning ordinary materials into extraordinary products. We design and manufacture innovative products and components that can be found all around you – in homes, offices, automobiles, and more.

With approximately 2.7 billion people worldwide working within the manufacturing sector, we recognize how important manufacturing is to our global economy, and we’re grateful to be a part of it.

We’re also proud of our teams around the world who work to make our products and processes more efficient, sustainable, and safe every day!

Resource

Eser, Alexander. “Global Manufacturing Industry Statistics: $16.3 Trillion Output Forecasted by 2023.” Worldmetrics.Org, 23 July 2024, www.worldmetrics.org/global-manufacturing-industry-statistics/.

Meet Our Creative Services Design Team

At Leggett & Platt, our Creative Services Design Team is vital in crafting the visual narratives that define our businesses. From innovative graphic design to compelling external campaigns, these talented designers ensure that every visual element aligns with our brand values and resonates with each audience.

We talked with Chris France, the Design & Branding Manager for Creative Services, about his team and their role at L&P.

Tell us about your career at Leggett & Platt.

I joined Leggett in September 2001 and have had the privilege of serving in various roles, including Art Director, Senior Art Director, and Associate International Creative Director with Creative Services. I also spent some time as Division Marketing Manager with International Bedding. Currently, I oversee a talented team dedicated to delivering impactful visual content.

Tell us about the Design team.

I work closely with two exceptional Senior Graphic Designers, John Morris and Chris Auckerman. Together, we bring a wide range of skills and perspectives to our projects.

How does your team support our business?

Our team plays a critical role in shaping the visual identity of Leggett & Platt. We provide creative direction and expert execution to deliver engaging, meaningful content. Our work is highly collaborative – we partner with the Copy Team in nearly everything we do to ensure our solutions are visually compelling and aligned with broader business objectives. By staying service-oriented and connected to the needs of our colleagues, we help drive value across the organization. We’re also supported by amazing people on the Creative Services Operations Team.  

What is the most exciting part of your job?

As a Creative, I thrive on the challenge of tackling new briefs and projects – each one is an opportunity to define the right approach and bring a fresh perspective. Seeing a key campaign come to life and witnessing how clients perceive its value is rewarding. As a Manager, I find fulfillment in supporting my team, whether through guiding creative decisions or watching them gain recognition for their work. It’s about fostering an environment where creativity flourishes, and each team member’s contributions are valued.

What is the biggest challenge for you and your team?

One of our ongoing challenges is ensuring that the creative process is fully understood and appreciated. The time investment required to direct, conceptualize, and execute solutions that truly engage and deliver can often be underestimated. It’s an ongoing effort to communicate the depth of work that goes into each project.

Can you tell us about the range of projects you and your team work on?

Our work spans a broad spectrum within digital and print design and branding. We collaborate with the IT and Communications teams on web and social media projects, creating content that is both visually compelling and strategically aligned. This includes everything from digital campaigns to printed materials, each tailored to meet the specific needs of the business.

Happy Thanksgiving Day to Our Employees in Canada!

We wish you a wonderful day spent with family and friends!