Category Archives: Employee Spotlight

End-of-Year Reflections: Jagan Viswanathan

As we wrap up this year, we invited colleagues around the world to reflect on and share their achievements, challenges, and goals.

Jagan Viswanathan, Supply Chain Specialist

One key lesson I learned this year is that trust and leadership empowerment drive ownership and innovation. When leaders provide clarity and autonomy, it encourages accountability and creative problem-solving, ultimately leading to better results.

Professional Growth

I have had the opportunity to play a dual role in Operations and Supply Chain. This experience has broadened my perspective, allowing me to diversify my thinking and better align supply chain strategies with process excellence. It has strengthened my ability to integrate operational insights into strategic planning, ensuring efficiency and resilience across the value chain.

Leadership & Collaboration: This year, I’ve taken on more cross-functional projects, which has strengthened my ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues from different countries and cultures. I’ve learned to adapt to diverse behaviors and communication styles, which has improved my interpersonal skills. Additionally, I’ve gained the confidence to manage tasks successfully from anywhere, ensuring productivity regardless of location.

Project Management Skills: I have significantly improved my project management skills this year. I’ve learned to handle projects end-to-end, including drafting detailed plans, executing them effectively, monitoring progress, mitigating risks, and preparing for potential headwinds. This structured approach has strengthened my ability to deliver results under challenging conditions.

Exposure to Top Management: I have gained valuable exposure to top management this year, which has helped me understand strategic priorities and decision-making at a higher level. This experience has improved my ability to align operational tasks with organizational goals and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.

Decision-Making Ability: I have strengthened my decision-making skills by handling complex situations, evaluating multiple options, and choosing the most effective solutions under pressure. This has helped me make informed choices that align with organizational goals and minimize risks.

Personal Growth

One of the key aspects I value this year is the trust and clarity the organization provides. We are given clear objectives and the freedom to work towards them, which empowers us to take ownership and deliver results. This supportive environment has also enabled me to maintain mental peace and achieve a healthy work-life balance, allowing me to stay productive and focused.

Adaptability: I have learned to adapt quickly to changing priorities and stay calm under pressure, becoming a more self-driven and resilient person.

Communication: I have worked on improving my communication skills, especially during calls. I’ve learned to speak slowly and clearly, ask questions to ensure understanding, and prepare thoroughly for meetings.

Learning: I have undergone Foundational Leadership training, which has helped me refresh on topics such as giving feedback, the importance of meeting with team members one-on-one, and conflict management.

End-of-Year Reflections: Clint Blissard

As we wrap up this year, we invited colleagues around the world to reflect on and share their achievements, challenges, and goals.

Clint Blissard, HR/Safety Manager

I have learned the value of honesty and teamwork and see how beneficial these traits are to a team in a production environment. Sometimes it takes persistence and can be uncomfortable, but working together benefits our team and our company.

Personal and Professional Growth

I learn something new every day. In a fast-paced environment, it is easy to get bogged down by everything coming at you at once. This applies to any role. I have learned that an open and honest work culture makes everyone’s work life more enjoyable and increases productivity.

End-of-Year Reflections: Naomi Lopez

As we wrap up this year, we invited colleagues around the world to reflect on and share their achievements, challenges, and goals.

Naomi Lopez, Bilingual Employment Coordinator

Personal and Professional Growth

Over the past year, I’ve grown significantly in my role as a Bilingual Employment Coordinator.

Personally, I’ve become more flexible and patient. Recruitment can be fast-paced and unpredictable, and this year taught me how to stay organized under pressure while maintaining a positive candidate experience. I’ve also gained confidence in my communication and decision-making skills. Overall, I’ve become a more well-rounded, people-focused recruiter, and I’m excited to keep building on that growth.

ICYMI: Valor Spotlights

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:

The People Behind Our Products: Wenli Yuan

In our Hydraulic Cylinders business, we manufacture engineered hydraulic cylinders used in mobile equipment applications and heavy construction equipment. Our products often operate in demanding environments where equipment dependability is vital in maintaining the safety of personnel and goods.

As we continue to celebrate Manufacturing month, we’re introducing you to the hardworking and dedicated people behind our products. Meet Wenli Yuan, Production Supervisor for our Hydraulic Cylinders business!

Wenli has been with L&P for 13 years and credits his group’s leadership with helping him grow into a good supervisor at Pacoma China.

“We are fortunate to have a dynamic and dedicated team where every member devotes themselves wholeheartedly to their work,” says Wenli. “Over these years, I have deeply cherished the trust and opportunities bestowed by the group. To this day, I remain passionate about my work here, and I am committed to contributing greater value to Pacoma’s development.”

Thank you, Wenli, for lifting up your team and doing great work together!

The People Behind Our Products: Cynthia Benfield

At our Hanes Industries branches, we convert textiles into components used by manufacturers of bedding, upholstered furniture, and home furnishings accessories.

As we continue to celebrate Manufacturing Month, we’re introducing you to the hardworking and dedicated people behind our products. Meet Cynthia Benfield, Bag on Roll Machine Operator at Hanes Industries!

Cynthia has been with Hanes for 23 years and currently makes bags and covers for various types of furniture.

“I am proud of my job and always try to perform with the best of my knowledge,” says Cynthia. “Outside of work, I like to go kayaking and do gardening around the house.”

Thank you, Cynthia, for taking pride in your work!

The People Behind Our Products: Dickie Thornton

In our Flooring Products business, we manufacture and distribute foam, rubber, and fiber-based flooring underlayment for residential and commercial use. Our products provide support, cushioning, and noise reduction under all kinds of flooring, including carpet, laminate, and hardwoods.

As we continue to celebrate Manufacturing Month, we’re introducing you to the hardworking and dedicated people behind our products. Meet Dickie Thornton, Clamp Truck Operator for our Flooring Products business!

He operates the knuckle boom crane and grinds foam scrap to make rebond carpet padding.

“I’ve been working with L&P for two years, and I am proud of the duties I perform,” says Dickie. “Outside of work, I am a sound technician and work with a sound engineer for music bands.”

Thank you for taking ownership and pride in your work, Dickie!

The People Behind Our Products: Karthick Ravichandran

We’re a leading supplier of automotive seating comfort and motors and actuators. Our seating products are designed to enhance consumer comfort, and our motors and actuators deliver differentiated consumer conveniences and safety features.

As we continue to celebrate Manufacturing Month, we’re introducing you to the hardworking and dedicated people behind our products. Meet Karthick Ravichandran, Quality Technician Supervisor for our Automotive business!

Karthick has been with us since 2009 and currently helps ensure our seat cushions are high quality.

“Quality is never an accident – it’s always the result of intention, effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution,” says Karthick. “Over the years, I’ve cultivated a deep pride in my ability to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes, supported by my growing skillset and the collaborative team. Today, I continue to build on that foundation, bringing efficiency, empathy, and strategic insight to every challenge.”

Thank you for ensuring our products are high quality, Karthick!

Spotlight on Spühl’s Apprenticeship Program

At our Spühl facility in Switzerland, preparing the next generation of vocational students for the workforce is a tradition. For more than 100 years, Spühl has offered apprenticeships to local students and graduated approximately 700 apprentices since record keeping began.

Out of Spühl’s current employees, 35 of them completed vocational training with Spühl. These former apprentices now work in all areas of the company!

Apprenticeships typically last three to four years, and apprentices work at places like Spühl while attending vocational school. At Spühl, apprentices gain hands-on experience in various professions like automative engineering, design engineering, polymechanics, production mechanics, and logistics. From their third year of training onward, they work exclusively in productive roles within the company.

Thirty students are currently in Spühl’s apprenticeships program, and seven students just graduated! Once students graduate, they can enter military service, seek positions at other companies, be hired by Spühl, or work at other Leggett & Platt locations. Of the seven apprentices who recently completed their basic vocational training with Spühl, Elias Thür was hired as a polymechanic.

I really enjoyed my training at Spühl,” says Elias. “During four exciting years of apprenticeship, I learned a great deal about the polymechanic profession. I was able to perform many interesting tasks in a wide range of areas, from milling and turning to assembly and logistics. I really enjoyed the variety of the work and couldn’t imagine a better training program for myself.”

Spühl’s recent graduates from left to right: Timo Wild, Juri Ifflaender, Elias Thür, Colin Schild, Berkin Ulutas. Not pictured: Janic Mettler and Noah Sammali

We’re grateful to our team at Spühl for their commitment to providing career development opportunities!

The People Behind Our Products: Victor Hernandez

In our Flooring Products business, we manufacture and distribute foam, rubber, and fiber-based flooring underlayment for residential and commercial use. Our products provide support, cushioning, and noise reduction under all kinds of flooring.

As we continue to celebrate Manufacturing Month, we’re introducing you to the hardworking and dedicated people behind our products. Meet Victor Hernandez, Senior Process Improver for our Flooring Products business!

Victor has been on the team since 1984 and works on projects that improve our processes and productivity.

“I’m proud of so many things – the work that I do, the machinery I build to make L&P more efficient, and friendships I’ve built over the years,” says Victor. “When I build something and I see that it works, that’s the reward for me. When I joined L&P, I remember Bob Ambrose (rest in peace) was one of the first managers to trust me with the improvement process. I carry that commitment to this day and am proud of the results.”

When he’s not at work, Victor works on his home and classic cars. He has a 1969 El Camino that he would like to break apart and build back up from scratch.

Thank you, Victor, for focusing on continuous improvement every day!