To all celebrating, we wish you a very happy and meaningful holiday!
To all celebrating, we wish you a very happy and meaningful holiday!
This post was written by Ljiljana Trstenjak, a Project Manager at Leggett & Platt Technologies (LPT) – Croatia. As someone who has lived this journey alongside her colleagues, she offers a firsthand perspective on what 25 years of dedication, teamwork, and craftsmanship truly means to the people who make LPT Croatia the success it is today. Thank you, Ljiljana, for sharing this milestone, and thank you to the team at LPT – Croatia for 25 years!
This year marks a major milestone for Leggett & Platt Technologies – Croatia: 25 years of innovation, growth, and success. From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted name in our industry, our journey has been driven by passion, integrity, and a commitment to excellence. Over the past quarter-century, we’ve built more than a business – we’ve built lasting relationships, earned trust, and created a legacy of quality.
Our success stems from the dedication of our people, the trust of our clients, and the partnerships that push us to keep raising the bar. As we celebrate this milestone, we look back with pride and forward with purpose – ready to embrace new challenges, explore fresh opportunities, and continue the story that began in 2000. For 25 years, we’ve been bending steel so others can rest easy – quite literally. From the first coil we shaped to the millions that followed, we’ve learned that true strength lies in flexibility and that perfection, like comfort, is never accidental. Our springs have supported dreams, homes, and generations. Yet what drives us isn’t the metal, it’s the minds and hands behind it. We celebrate not just the years, but the countless hours, ideas, and efforts that define who we are. From a single production line to partners around the globe, our journey has always had the same heartbeat: people who care deeply about what they do.
We chose to celebrate this milestone with the people who made it possible – our employees. It was our way of saying thank you for their dedication, teamwork, and unwavering commitment over the years.
Above and below: May Celebration honoring tenured team members.
In May 2025, we honored colleagues celebrating 10, 15, 20, and 25 years with LPT – a tribute to the dedication and loyalty that shaped our journey. Each received recognition from Tyson Hagale, President of Bedding Products Segment, and Davor Gečić, Business Unit President. Remarkably, 59 of the 85 honorees have been with us since day one.
Above and below: September team-building event filled with fun and games.
Then in September, the entire LPT team came together for a dynamic team-building day filled with activities, collaboration, and laughter. It was a chance to step away from routines, strengthen bonds, and celebrate not just our history, but the people who make it possible every day.croatia3
These celebrations are more than milestones – they reflect our belief that true success comes from working together. As LPT Croatia marks its first 25 years, we look ahead with confidence – ready to innovate, embrace new challenges, and continue contributing to our global success story.
Our team at Leggett & Platt Flooring Products – Aurora in Aurora, Illinois, prioritizes coming together to spend time and make connections.
They recently held a luncheon in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. Team members contributed different dishes and gathered in the break room.
“It’s one of the few times we can all step away from work, be together, and be us,” said Ruby Bahena, Routing Coordinator. “We create moments of connection when we set up lunch ideas or plan birthday celebrations.”
Putting people first isn’t just a value the team talks about. It’s something they live out every day.
“Putting people first means prioritizing the needs of others. This could be as simple as allowing a team member to take an early lunch during your scheduled time or stepping in to cover for a colleague,” said Ruby. “It also extends to our customers – putting them first by actively working to meet their needs and exceed their expectations.”
At Aurora, these small, everyday choices are creating a culture of care and connection that makes a lasting impact.
As we reflect on this year, we’re full of gratitude for our teams around the world.
Every day, we see our employees showing up for one another and raising their hands to pitch in where they’re needed the most – both at work and in their communities.
We’re so grateful for all we’ve accomplished together this year, and we look forward to what we’ll achieve in the coming year!
In honor of Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, we’d like to reshare the spotlights of our Valor members from this past year. We thank them and all who have served their countries.
To read the original posts, click the previews below:
November 13th is World Kindness Day!
From beach cleanups to supporting charitable organizations, our teams around the world spread kindness throughout their communities. To celebrate World Kindness Day, we’re resharing some inspiring stories of their kindness in action:
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.
To celebrate Valor’s continued growth, we’ve been highlighting the stories of its members. This month, we’re honored to introduce you to Shari German, Human Resources Manager at Moiron in Sparta, Michigan. Shari shared her experience as a military spouse with us and reflected on what she calls a life of quiet courage.
Can you tell us about your husband’s service?
My husband, Stephen J. German, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1987 to 1998 as a C-5 Galaxy Flying Crew Chief, stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The C-5 Galaxy is the largest aircraft in the U.S. military, used to transport troops, equipment, and supplies around the world – including paratroopers, tanks, helicopters, and humanitarian aid.
Stephen played a key role in developing a system that allowed the C-5 to airdrop cargo and personnel without landing. These missions supported U.S. Special Operations during the Panama conflict and the Gulf War, including Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Unlike many military families, we didn’t relocate often. Stephen flew with the aircraft on missions and returned to Dover between deployments. When he left the Air Force, he held the rank of E-5 Staff Sergeant.
Beyond his military service, Stephen was deeply committed to supporting fellow veterans through The American Legion. Even while working demanding 12-hour shifts, he consistently made time to build community and offer meaningful support to those who served before him.
What does being a military spouse mean to you?
Being a military spouse meant living a life of quiet courage. It was about showing up with resilience, grace, and unwavering support – through missions, long shifts, and the many unknowns of military life. You learn to be strong when you come home from work and his “go bag” is gone. You wonder how long he’ll be away, and what risks he’s flying into. You learn to trust the military community, knowing they’ll rally around each other whenever a need arises.
This journey shaped me in ways I never anticipated. It taught me to lead with empathy, adapt with purpose, and find strength in community. Becoming involved with the American Legion family gave me leadership skills I still rely on today and reminded me that the veteran community is always there, steadfast and strong.
When my husband passed away, that support became tangible. I brought him home to Michigan to be interred at the National Veteran Cemetery. On a cold January afternoon, as taps played, I heard the rustle of coats behind me – veterans rising to salute their comrade. That sound, that gesture, is etched in my heart. It was the sound of honor, of belonging, of true support.
I’m proud to have stood beside someone who served. And even prouder for the opportunity to grow, lead, and thrive alongside a life of service.
What advice would you give others about supporting service members and their families?
Never hesitate to hire veterans or military spouses.
Veterans bring leadership, discipline, and adaptability. Military spouses often carry diverse skill sets, resilience, and a deep capacity for multitasking. While military experience may come with unique terminology, don’t let unfamiliar language be a barrier. If you’re unsure how to interpret a resume or role, reach out – veterans and spouses are often happy to help translate. Don’t give up because you don’t understand. Seek clarity, not exclusion.
Respect their time and commitments.
Guard and Reserve service members have dual responsibilities. Deployments and training can affect their availability. Be flexible, patient, and supportive. If you’re working with a military spouse, understand that their needs may shift during these times – from childcare to home repairs, life can get complicated fast. Offer empathy, not judgment. Supporting one member of a military family means supporting the whole unit.
Why did you join Valor?
I was thrilled when Valor launched, and deeply grateful that they welcomed both veterans and military families. Being part of this community allows me to continue growing alongside those who’ve served, while supporting the broader veteran family within the workplace.
Thank you, Shari, for sharing your story and your quiet courage as a military spouse. We honor the memory of Staff Sergeant Stephen J. German and extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served and sacrificed.
Today, we honor and remember all the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. We thank you for your service!
On Remembrance Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of those who served and continue to serve.
In June, our W:ISE ERG promoted a month-long volunteerism initiative where members shared how they were supporting their communities. One of our dedicated L&P employees and W:ISE members, Isabel Perez, National Category Sales Manager for Terrafix Geosynthetics, continued making an impact by volunteering her time for International Day of the Girl – a global observance that celebrates the voices and power of girls.
Since 2021, Skill Ontario has celebrated this day by hosting events that inspire girls to build their skills, overcome boundaries, and explore future pathways. Isabel led two sessions for girls in grades seven and eight, sharing her insights into the world of skilled trades, engineering, and construction, and encouraging them to open their minds to the career possibilities in these industries.
“By empowering girls at a young age, we can boost their confidence and inspire them to pursue careers in engineering and skilled trades – fields essential to shaping Canada’s transportation infrastructure. I lead by example, sharing both my professional journey and personal resilience. I had to leave everything behind and emigrate when things got bad in my country. Starting over in a vastly different culture, language, and climate was incredibly hard. There were moments I wanted to quit, but I persisted, adapted, and today, I’m thriving in Canada.”
We’re proud to see our team members continuing to live out our value of putting people first by supporting efforts that empower communities and inspire future leaders. Thank you, Isabel!