Last Friday, manufacturers across the United States celebrated Manufacturing Day, also known as MFG Day, by opening their doors to showcase the potential of modern manufacturing. It’s a day meant to celebrate modern manufacturing and inspire the next generation of manufacturers.

This year, eight L&P locations hosted MFG Day activities:

• Carthage Spring in Carthage, Missouri
• Ennis Spring in Ennis, Texas
• Monroe Spring in Monroe, Georgia
• Pegasus in Middletown, Connecticut
• Flex-O-Lators in Carthage, Missouri
• Davidson Plyforms in Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Genesis Seating in Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Adjustable Bed – Spring Hill in Spring Hill, Florida

Among these participating branches, we welcomed over 1,200 guests! Some notable distinguished guests included Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, State Senator Bill Cowsert, and State Representative Vernon Jones at Monroe Spring. Flex-O-Lators welcomed Missouri Senator Ron Richard, Missouri Chamber President Dan Mehan, former MO Representative Tom Flanigan, and Chad Massman, Project Manager for the Dept of Economic Development.

Here are a few favorite photos from the day!

It’s been a fast and furious September for our employees at L&P Transportation (although some might say the world of transportation never slows down!). During the last few months, they have been working to add to the team of company truck drivers. Because L&P Transportation is a for-hire transportation provider, our drivers play a critical role in moving goods across the country.

Christine Kost, Driver Recruiter, with one of our drivers, Mike Allen, at a recent job expo for veterans.

Christine Kost has been with L&P Transportation since June and was hired specifically to engage and recruit new drivers. “I love my job,” Christine said. “I have the gift of gab, which serves me well in this role because I get to talk with so diverse types of people during recruiting events. Drivers come from all walks of life, and I get to know them pretty well.”

To meet new candidates and promote L&P, Christine and the Transportation team have attended numerous recruiting events over the past few weeks. Christine has been eager to showcase L&P since we have a lot to offer potential drivers. “We’re not a traditional trucking company,” she said. “We’re a corporation, so our benefits outweigh what other companies can offer.” 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.

Historically, it has been commonplace for manufacturers in the bedding industry to compress mattress springs and roll encased coils to reduce shipping costs. The rolling of finished mattresses, however, had seemed too difficult a challenge to overcome. But about a decade ago, when low-end foam mattresses from Asia began entering the market – with the finished mattresses rolled and boxed – the challenge was renewed.

A Roll-Pack Partnership

Leggett & Platt’s Global Systems Group (GSG) noticed customer interest in a roll-pack approach and sought out Italian manufacturer Teknomac for a solution. Since GSG already partnered with Teknomac on a number of machine solutions, it was a natural pairing.

Terry Myers, Director of Engineering at GSG, served as an advocate to test and perfect the Teknomac roll-pack machines. Ultimately, the Teknomac provided a workable solution for GSG customers – one previously thought impossible.

Tony Garrett, President of GSG, and Terry Myers, Director of Engineering, with a Teknomac machine and roll-pack mattress.

Continue reading →

In 1986, Leggett & Platt acquired a company that would grow to be one of its most reliably profitable divisions. At the time of the acquisition, MPI was a company based out of Fort Worth, Texas that produced bonded foam carpet cushioning. Today, LP Carpet Cushion (LPCC) is an industry leader when it comes to developing innovative products and anticipating customer needs.

Dedicated to the Customer

“Customer service is one of our biggest areas of focus,” said Jerry Wahrmund, East Coast Regional Operations Manager. Jerry joined Leggett & Platt in 1995, and he oversees five Carpet Cushion operations on the East Coast.

“We do a lot of multi-stop deliveries for our customers. Having a fast turnaround on orders is important for us. We work both with the Corporate Transportation team, as well as having our own fleets of trucks that are unique to specific branches. We want to be certain we can facilitate any special delivery needs.”

Tammy Hook, HR & Special Project Coordinator in Fort Worth, echoed Jerry. “You have to find a way to keep your customers with you. Within the market of carpet padding, we really only have a few competitors. You have to find a way to shine, beyond just trying to undercut prices. For us, we do that by providing an outstanding customer experience.”

Two of LPCC’s finest: Branch Manager Jacinto Ramos (left) with Central Regional Sales Manager Michael Moore. This September will mark Jacinto’s 48th year with L&P!

That emphasis on customer service, combined with outstanding quality of product, means L&P flooring products can be found in an astonishing number of buildings throughout North America. “We work directly with big box retailers,” Jerry continued, “so you can find our product in many home improvement stores. We also sell to the hospitality industry and to carpet installers. We really are everywhere.” Continue reading →

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 →