Lakeshore Sponsors Formula Electric Racecar

Throughout May, we’re highlighting people, places, and products within our Specialized Products segment. Today we’re putting the spotlight on a unique program sponsored by L&P Schukra-Lakeshore in Ontario, Canada – a UWindsor Engineering team formula car build!

Car rendering

Working hands-on with vision systems, electrical lines, and robots is a dream opportunity for any engineering student. That dream became a reality for P.J. Kriemadis. He gained valuable experience last semester, when he accepted a Co-op position in the manufacturing engineering department at L&P Lakeshore.

Because of his love for all things automotive, P.J. is also on a team at the University of Windsor, which is building a Formula Electric racecar. The group of mechanical and electrical engineering students all have a passion for racing. They look forward to competing with other universities from around the world at an upcoming Formula North competition in Toronto. However, they’re also enjoying the actual process of the build and are learning more about electrical and automotive technologies of the future.

When P.J.’s coworkers at Lakeshore learned about the project, they decided to get involved by becoming a sponsor. “This project is a perfect opportunity for us,” says Ian Agnolin, HR Generalist. “It allows us to interact directly with students who are interested in emerging electrical and automotive technologies. They will be looking for careers soon and already understand the transformations that are occurring in the industry.”

(L to R): Lynn Caixeiro, HR Manager; Ian Agnolin, HR Generalist; P.J. Kriemadis, Student & Team Member; Beth Rocheleau, Manufacturing Engineering Manager. Not Pictured: Angela Durand, Marketing Communications & Social Media Manager

Lakeshore’s sponsorship allowed for the purchase of a Quaife style differential. This specific type offers both superior performance and high durability, which will allow the part to be used by Formula Electric team students at UWindsor for many years to come.

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Bringing Nondestructive Testing to Life: Meet Megan Alger at Pegasus

Throughout May, we’re highlighting people, places, and products within our Specialized Products segment. Today we’re putting the spotlight on Megan Alger, who works in Penetrant Inspection at Pegasus in Middletown, Connecticut.

She may have joined the Pegasus team just a few months ago, but Megan Alger is already brimming with experience, knowledge, and excitement about her role in nondestructive testing (NDT).

Every day, Megan employs various techniques to evaluate the properties of our materials and products without causing damage, and she ensures the products are safe for aerospace applications. Talk about an important job!

Tell us about your background.

I have worked in nondestructive testing (NDT) for about four years and on a variety of products – from 2-ton components down to tiny little 9/16” ball bearings. I’m fortunate to have a passion that also runs in my family. My dad is an ASNT LIII. (ASNT is the American Society of Nondestructive Testing. ASNT serves as a certifying body along with many other roles. So, an ASNT LIII is a level III, which is the highest certification possible in NDT.)

After watching my dad, I was inspired at a very young age to pursue NDT. On Saturdays as a kid, I’d get to help him run some parts through the fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) process, and then on Mondays, my dad’s employees would reprocess the same components, so I could get feedback regarding my findings. I have been hooked since then. Continue reading

Vehicle Seating & Lumbar Support

L&P Automotive is the world’s foremost designer and manufacturer of automotive seating support and comfort systems.

With products such as pneumatic and mechanical lumbar systems, multi-zone massage lumbar systems, seat cushion suspension, and bolster systems, L&P Automotive helps provide optimum support for all passengers, in anything from compact cars to luxury sedans.

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.

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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