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
In 2013, Schukra Berndorf, a Leggett & Platt company, was named one of Austria’s leading employers for a second consecutive year. Founded in 1980 and located about 20 miles southwest of Vienna, the branch is comprised of long-tenured Berndorf locals. They continue to produce outstanding financial results and quality products.