Leggett & Platt first took to the skies in 2012 when we entered the aerospace business, and we’ve been gaining altitude ever since. With sales reaching $150 million this year, L&P Aerospace continues to aim high –achieving lofty goals for revenue growth and extending our capabilities.

In February, L&P Aerospace made another giant leap forward with the acquisition of Pegasus Manufacturing, a Connecticut-based producer of fabricated tube and duct assemblies.

Similar to David Hart Aerospace Pipes (DHAP), Pegasus takes tubing manufactured by Western Pneumatic, Valley Metals, and Specitubes, and utilizes on-site welding, brazing, pressure testing, and other technologies to fabricate sophisticated assemblies for customers like Rolls-Royce, General Electric, Boeing and Airbus, Newport News Shipbuilders, and the US Government.

“Pegasus really fits multiple strategic needs,” explained Shannon Ukena, Director of Corporate Development. “This business takes us a step deeper into the supply value chain, gives us a new geographic foothold in a major aerospace hub in the Northeast, and opens us up to some complementary markets for our products.” Continue reading →

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 →

Don’t let the small-town location fool you – Flex-O-Lators in Carthage, Missouri, plays a big role in Leggett & Platt’s operations. That’s because the facility manufactures components used in the company’s own automotive, furniture, and bedding operations, as well as those of outside customers. This vertical integration also takes place on the front end, with Flex-O-Lators purchasing wire and materials from other L&P branches to make those components.

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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.

Gunnar Seen, Plant Manager of Schukra Berndorf, attributes much of the branch’s recent success to their 205 employees. “There are two significant pieces to our company culture,” he states. “The first is the dedication and devotion of our people; the second, their pride to carry on the Schukra name.”

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Folding Guard’s Pat McMahon (left) and Jason Wynne shown with Saf-T-Fence®.

Last December, Leggett & Platt acquired Folding Guard, a leading manufacturer of safety, security, and storage products. The transition with Leggett has been a smooth process overall according to Folding Guard President, Jason Wynne. Becoming part of Leggett has created more stability and resources for the branch’s 110 employees.

Fifty Years of Success

Founded in 1962 and located just a few blocks from Chicago’s Midway Airport, Folding Guard is best known for machine perimeter guarding. These systems protect the manufacturing equipment they enclose, but, more importantly, they protect the people that work on or near those machines.  Folding Guard also sells wire partitions and lockers for access control and loss prevention.

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