Behind every branch at Leggett & Platt is a story: How they’ve grown or faced challenges, how they’ve developed and defined their culture, and how their products support unique customers. Trio Line Polska’s story is one of growth and great craftsmanship.

Based in Poland and acquired by L&P in early 2015, Trio Line joined our Work Furniture group to produce high-end upholstered furniture for some of the most recognized European furniture brands – the most iconic being the Egg Chair produced for Fritz Hansen. In fact, the branch’s main production is for the dining and lounge chair markets.

What makes Trio Line stand out is the artistry that goes into each piece of furniture. The attention to detail, precision, and beautiful finish make their products uniquely high-end. Additionally, since joining L&P, Trio Line has been able to align their designs with Genesis Seating to push their products worldwide for customers such as Steelcase, Herman Miller, and Haworth.

Bjorn Bahnsen heads the Trio Line management team. In 1999, Bjorn purchased his family’s Danish furniture company, Trio Line A/S. Four years later, he started Trio Line Polska to gradually shift production from Denmark to Poland. Since 1999, Bjorn has grown the business from 6 employees to over 500 – and they are some of our most dedicated. According to Wojtek Mytko, VP of Production: “None of the competition we give other producers would be possible without our talented team of employees.” Continue reading →

Ennis, Texas is a town of about 20,000 people just south of Dallas, and it’s here you’ll find Ennis Spring, one of our bedding operations that employs about 300 people. At the very heart of this operation are many long-term employees who love what they do, and it’s modeled from the top down. Kevin Fincher and Steve Prokop, Branch Manager and Manufacturing Manager respectively, have both been with Leggett for over 30 years! It’s this culture of dedication, hard work, and camaraderie that truly makes Ennis Spring unique.

But don’t take it from us. Here are five employees to describe, in their own words, what working at Ennis Spring has meant to them personally and professionally:

Clarence Butcher

Clarence claims the unofficial title of Ennis Spring’s longest tenured employee. He started as a Material Handler on July 30, 1969 – and let me do that math for you… that’s 48 years! He has continued in that position through his entire employment. “I like what I do and the people I work with,” Clarence said. “I hope to be with Leggett for another 20 years!”

Angie Moya

Angie started her career with Leggett as Chop Saw Operator in 2008. After a year, she moved into her current position as a Tag Control Clerk. Angie loves the company and said the managers and supervisors are great, and that’s why she stays. Even though retirement age is upon her, she still plans to remain with Leggett for another 10 or even 15 years!

Gary Farmer

Gary is the Safety Director at Ennis Spring and has been with the company since 1982. He started in the shop and worked there for 5 years before moving on to other positions. “I’ve done a little bit of everything, but I’ve been in my current position for 25 years. I love coming to work!” Gary has appreciated the flexibility Leggett provides, especially while his kids were growing up. Now, he appreciates the family-like feel at Ennis. “Everyone here cares for one another and each other’s families. That’s rare.”

Santiago Hernandez

Santiago started as a Helical Die Maker in 1985. Later that year, Leggett introduced clipping machines into the manufacturing process. Santiago was the first employee at Ennis Spring to learn how to operate the clipping machine and is still doing it today! He’s turned down opportunities to move up, simply because he loves what he’s doing – and he excels at it. His coworkers appreciate his keen ability to train new hires to run the machines. He says he appreciates being treated well by everyone and feels valued as an employee.

Melissa McAskill

Melissa joined Ennis Spring in 2015. With 10 years of prior experience in Human Resources, she serves as HR Manager at Ennis. Melissa seeks out employees who will make an impact and who aren’t afraid to work hard. “We are proud to promote from within and provide our employees opportunities for growth,” she said. “Many have spent most of their lives working with us. Over 34% of our employees have worked with us for more than 15 years and 12% for more than 30! You just don’t see that anymore!” The culture fostered at Ennis is truly special.

Did you know that the largest Electric Arc Furnace in North America belongs to one of our very own manufacturing facilities? In 2002, Leggett & Platt purchased a portion of the former Northwestern Steel & Wire facility in Sterling, Illinois, now known as Sterling Steel. Following major renovations in the melt shop and rod mill, the plant began operating in early 2003.

With a mission to be the safest and lowest-cost supplier of quality rod, Sterling produces about 10,000 tons of wire rod every week. The branch ships the wire rod to Leggett’s wire mills to be used in products such as mattresses, furniture, bale ties, and certain automobile applications.

Kevin Mullen, President of Sterling Steel, has been with Leggett & Platt since it acquired Sterling Steel. As a native of Sterling, Illinois, Kevin grew up in the steel industry. He is his family’s fourth generation of steel industry workers and a third-generation hire at Sterling, Illinois site. “One of my favorite things about Leggett,” said Kevin, “is the insight and willingness of company leaders to invest in new equipment and processes, which allows us to continue supplying a quality product safely.” Continue reading →