Throughout June, we’re highlighting people, places, and products within our Furniture Products segment. Today we’re putting the spotlight on Trio Line Polska!

Behind every branch at Leggett & Platt is a story: How they’ve grown or faced challenges, how they’ve developed and defined their culture, and how their products support unique customers. Trio Line Polska’s story is one of growth and great craftsmanship.

Based in Poland and acquired by L&P in early 2015, Trio Line joined our Work Furniture group to produce high-end upholstered furniture for some of the most recognized European furniture brands – the most iconic being the Egg Chair produced for Fritz Hansen. In fact, the branch’s main production is for the dining and lounge chair markets.

What makes Trio Line stand out is the artistry that goes into each piece of furniture. The attention to detail, precision, and beautiful finish make their products uniquely high-end. Trio Line has been able to push their products worldwide for customers such as Steelcase, Herman Miller, and Haworth.

Bjorn Bahnsen heads the Trio Line management team. In 1999, Bjorn purchased his family’s Danish furniture company, Trio Line A/S. Four years later, he started Trio Line Polska to gradually shift production from Denmark to Poland. Since 1999, Bjorn has grown the business from 6 employees to over 500 – and they are some of our most dedicated. According to Wojtek Mytko, VP of Production: “None of the competition we give other producers would be possible without our talented team of employees.” Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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

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 →