Top 5 Reasons Our Employees Love Working at L&P


Life is so much better when you enjoy what you do every day. We asked employees throughout the company one simple question: What do you love about your job? 

Here are the Top 5 reasons our employees love L&P!

1. A culture of support. “Leggett & Platt is committed to the professional growth of our employees. My supervisors are always willing to answer questions, explain the significance of my projects, and to provide me with learning opportunities and guidance.” Dillon Walker, Tax Accountant II

2. A welcoming work experience. “Everyone I work with is approachable and willing to help out, regardless of their role at the company. I haven’t met a single employee who isn’t friendly — that’s pretty unique.” Janet Aguinaga, Bilingual Employment Coordinator

3. Exciting opportunities for growth. “I really enjoy learning and solving problems. I appreciate that there are always new opportunities to participate in challenging projects… as long as I look in the right direction.” Filip Synhaeve, Business Process Transformation Manager

4. A focus on the future. “L&P is committed to developing future leaders and improving our processes as a company. It’s exciting to be a part of such transformational growth.” Howard DeCelis, Staff VP-Continuous Improvement

5. Positive interactions with happy people. “I love my coworkers and the cheery atmosphere they bring to my day!” Rob Sotlar, Learning & Development Program Manager

We couldn’t agree more.

Powering Potential with Precision Hydraulic Cylinders (PHC)

As you shop the aisle of the local grocery or relax on the back patio of your house, hydraulic cylinders are probably the last thing on your mind – but this critical component is working behind the scenes in a variety of ways to make these things, and much more, possible.

“From construction applications to materials handling, we’re making people’s lives easier on a global basis,” explains Chris Barclay, President of Precision Hydraulic Cylinders (PHC).

Like many L&P products, PHC’s hydraulic cylinders comprise a small but vital piece in several end products. They are essential to the functionality of equipment like dump trucks, forklifts, truck mounted cranes, and aerial platforms.

Always Right, Always on Time

PHC applications

Hydraulic cylinders are used for many applications, including critical movement functions in forklifts and dump trucks.

With over 45 years of experience, PHC has proven design and technical support capabilities. But the hydraulic cylinder market also requires highly flexible manufacturing capabilities. Given the large number of configurations available on just one single forklift model, it’s not surprising that PHC’s customers require short lead times on a large product line that are usually built to order.

“PHC is selling a lot more than a high-quality hydraulic cylinder at a good price – we’re offering complete integration with our customer’s manufacturing process,” says Chris.

Providing just-in-time delivery for customers’ assembly-line style manufacturing requires a lot of coordination and sequencing within PHC’s own manufacturing process. But PHC’s commitment to provide the right product on time has enabled them to continue to capture and dominate within the market. Continue reading

L&P Annual Shareholders Meeting

It was a gorgeous spring morning for our annual meeting of L&P shareholders in Carthage, MO.

Along with sharing exciting developments across the company, CEO Karl Glassman also recognized CFO Matt Flanigan for his service on our Board of Directors and his successful 21 years with L&P. Congratulations, Matt!

 

Clean the Community: L&C Changsha Gives Back

Throughout May, we’re highlighting people, places, and products within our Specialized Products segment. Today we’re spotlighting a collective effort by L&C Changsha to clean their community in Changsha, China.

The team at Automotive L&C Changsha recently took on a proactive effort to clean up the community as part of their goal to be recognized as a Corporate Social Responsibility leader.

We’re proud to share that 40 team members conducted a “Clean the Community” activity in coordination with local government support. The activity, organized by Jian Tong, L&C’s Human Resources Manager, involved cleaning the local streets and the surrounding neighborhood.

Continue reading

Everyday Leggett Life: A Castle in Hardelot, France

“During a recent audit at Specitubes in France, we visited a beautiful castle called the Château d’Hardelot.” Kathy Flinn, Internal Auditor II [Hardelot, France]

“We were able to tour the castle’s interior and walk the remains of the moat that evening. It was a perfect outing to end a busy day of work.” Jacki Allen, Internal Audit Supervisor [Hardelot, France]

 

Top 5 Tips for a Beautiful Outdoor Space

Throughout the year, our grounds team works diligently to make our Corporate campus shine. But if there’s a time to shine brightest, it’s for our annual Shareholders Meeting in May, and the countdown is on.

Blake Ellis, Facilities Maintenance Manager, and the team begin their preparations months in advance. “Because we host so many visitors during this time of the year, it kind of becomes our Super Bowl,” he says. “We put in a lot of extra hours and do our best to make everything look as pristine as we can. We enjoy it.”

Here are our Top 5 Tips to create your own beautiful outdoor space:

1. Seed and mulch. Start by fertilizing your lawn in the spring and fall. During the spring season, seed your yard and mulch landscape beds.

2. Prune. Trimming all bushes and trees twice a year helps them healthily grow back.

3. Mow. It’s best to mow weekly, and at a height of 3 to 3.5 inches.

4. Weed. Get rid of those pesky weeds in both landscaping beds and your lawn. Certain sprays help keep them at bay, or you can try the old-fashioned method of pulling them.

5. Edge. Edging all sidewalks, curbs, and patios helps keep a clean look. Our grounds team also plants new flowers and freshens rock beds for that final touch.

After Shareholders Meeting is over, it’s back to daily campus maintenance for our grounds crew. And then, another countdown begins – days until snow removal.

(But we’re getting ahead of ourselves…)

Throwback Thursday: Double Bunk Beds!

We love this vintage L&P newspaper ad almost as much as kids love bunk beds.

Vintage ad from the Maryville Daily Forum
April 16, 1958

Company Spotlight: New Machinery at Merit Steel

Throughout April, we’re highlighting people, places, and products within our Industrial Products segment. Today we’re pleased to spotlight Merit Steel, part of L&P’s drawn wire division in Kouts, Indiana.

Large machines steadily churn out spools of drawn wire at Merit Steel Company. Over 100 employees work together to ensure its production runs smoothly. The majority of the wire is then shipped to other L&P facilities to be transformed into bedding and furniture components.

“Everyone here is willing to lend a helping hand. I don’t think anyone is just looking out for themselves. It’s pretty evident in day-to-day operations,” says Jon Moneta, Continuous Improvement Coordinator at Merit.

One of Jon’s priorities is ensuring the safety of his teams. That responsibility became easier with a recent upgrade to one of their wire drawing machines.

Merit Steel’s new Frigerio wire drawing machine.

An older wire drawing machine, installed in 1979 when Nachman Corporation owned the mill. This type of machine was ultimately replaced by the new Frigerio machine.

Continue reading

Top 5 Reasons to Get an Internship

Our Doors Summer Intern Program began in 2013 and was designed to provide a structured, robust intern experience for L&P interns. Since hosting just 6 interns in its inaugural year, the program grew to 29 participants in 2018!

Students, listen up. We’re gearing up for this summer’s program, and today, Madison Fehring and Eliysha Mircetic (who coordinate Doors) are sharing their Top 5 reasons why an internship should be part of your college plan.

  1. You’ll gain relevant experience. If you’re serious about getting a foothold in your field, find on-the-job work that is relevant to your studies. There are good takeaways from any summer job, but an internship will get you one step closer to starting your career.
  2. You’ll get your foot in the door. Once you have an internship, be open to any opportunities within the company. Internships give you an inside scoop on what life within a company is like and what it takes to grow within that company.
  3. You can test the waters. You’ve had late nights, early mornings, and a lot of caffeine during your academic life. Now you’re ready to take on a career. The last thing you want to happen is to land your dream job and find out you don’t like it. Try it out for a summer to be sure it’s a good fit. We recommend applying early (even after your freshman year) or seeking a job shadowing experience to help you decide where you want to go.
  4. You’ll get advice. The people you’ll work with have likely been in your shoes. They’ll have great advice about how to get you where you’d like to be. During your internship, be open about your dream job, or the elements you want to have in your ideal work environment.
  5. You’ll (hopefully) find your tribe. In Doors, we have an entire community of interns. The program features development and social activities to help you build connections with others in your stage of life. You won’t just gain experience – you’ll gain friends!

 

Employee Spotlight: James Dixon Celebrates Over 50 Years with Solon Specialty Wire

Throughout April, we’re highlighting people, places, and products within our Industrial Products segment.

Meet James Dixon. He started his career with Solon Specialty Wire in 1967.

James is a Die Finisher, which means he prepares the machines to draw wire. Over the years, he’s worked hard to perfect his craft. “I like what I do. It’s a very interesting business. You’d never believe how many different industries we support by making and supplying wire.”

Solon Specialty Wire, located in Solon, Ohio, produces round specialty wires and flat-shaped, non-ferrous wires for the construction, telecommunication, automotive, food packaging, and medical industries.

Since 2009, Solon has made environmental sustainability a priority, focusing on many projects such as reducing packaging materials and scrap steel, as well as reducing transportation costs.

James has seen a lot of changes during the last 50 years, some rapid and some more gradual. “At one time, most of the materials we manufactured had to be patented (heat-treated through a furnace). Steel rod has become more durable, and our business has gotten more sophisticated.”

Still, the team at Solon has remained committed to quality. According to James, “We’re very focused on using high-quality materials, and we do a lot more testing now than earlier years. It’s all in an effort to ensure the reliability and consistency of our wire.”