Category Archives: Employee Spotlight

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!

The People Behind Our Products: Kenyada Sledge

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 Kenyada Sledge, Panel Cell Machine Operator at Hanes Industries!

Kenyada has been with us for four years and currently slits and perforates panels of fabric for various types of furniture and bedding.

“I am proud of my ability to work with my team members to get the job done right and meet our production goals every week,” says Kenyada. “Outside of work, I like to spend time with my kids and go to sporting events.”

Thank you, Kenyada, for doing great work with your team!

The People Behind Our Products: Bobo Schmidt

Our Home Furniture business is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality recliner motion mechanisms, seating systems, and sleep sofa hardware. Our products enhance comfort, motion, and style in upholstered furniture.

As we continue to celebrate Manufacturing Month, we’re introducing you to the hardworking and dedicated people behind our products. Meet Bobo Schmidt, Prototype Builder for our Home Furniture business!

Bobo has been with our Kintec team for 20 years, building prototypes, developing welding fixtures, and working closely with his team to improve our products.

“As a prototype builder and tooling specialist, I’m brought in whenever craftsmanship and creative problem-solving are needed,” says Bobo. “No two days are the same – and that’s exactly what I love about my job at L&P.”

Thank you for your creative solutions that drive impact, Bobo!

The People Behind Our Products: Murugan Muthu

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 Murugan Muthu, Assistant Manager for our Hydraulic Cylinders business!

Murugan joined L&P as a production technician in 2007 and leads projects that improve efficiency and enhance employee safety.

“I continue to embrace opportunities that challenge and inspire me,” says Murugan. “Looking forward to next year, I’ll focus on process optimization and using lean principes to eliminate waste. I’m excited to recharge, refocus, and lead with intention.”

Thank you, Murugan, for taking ownership and raising the bar!

The People Behind Our Products: Robert Deimund

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 Robert Deimund, Wrapper Operator for our Flooring Products business!

Robert goes above and beyond to assist others and ensures we produce quality rolls of carpet padding.

“I am most proud of my strong work ethic and attention to detail, which allows me to contribute to our quality products,” says Robert. “Outside of work, I like to attend church, work in my yard, and spend time with my family. I also like to take day trips and family vacations.”

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

The People Behind Our Products: Madelin Castro

October is Manufacturing Month! To celebrate, we’re spotlighting the hardworking and dedicated people behind our businesses and products.

To kick us off, meet Madelin Castro, Master Technician for our Bedding business! She’s been with us for almost 7 years and runs the coilers that help make our ComfortCore® units.

“I feel very proud to be learning a new job that I never thought I could do,” says Madelin. “I recently became a master technician, and I’m happy in this new position. I’m also happy that L&P gives us opportunities to advance into new and better job positions.”

When she’s not at work, Madelin enjoys shopping, spending time with her family, and going to church.

Thank you, Madelin, and congratulations on your recent promotion!

Valor ERG Spotlight: Meet Jon Gullette

At L&P, our employee resource groups (ERGs) are communities where our colleagues can learn and grow together. We recently launched Valor – an ERG dedicated to creating a strong community that fosters belonging, support, and engagement for our employee veterans, military families, and allies.

To celebrate Valor’s launch and growth, we’re sharing members’ stories. This month, we’d like you to meet Jon Gullette, Branch Manager at Leggett & Platt Flooring Products – Tracy, in Tracy, CA! We asked Jon about his military experience and why he joined Valor.

What would you like to share about your military experience?

I was fortunate to see many foreign countries during my period of service. I deployed six times during my career. During my sea tours, I deployed overseas four times with land-based anti-submarine squadrons (VP-46 & VP-9) and twice with a shipborne anti-submarine squadron (VS-38) aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64) during the Persian Gulf War. My other duty stations include NAS Whidbey Island (P-3 Weapons system Instructor) and NAS Lemoore (F-18 I-level maintenance facility). I also had the great honor of advancing to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and working directly with the Commanding Officer of AIMD Lemoore.

What motivated you to join the military and what did you learn from your experience?

I was motivated to join the Navy so I could see the world. My passion was for flying, and the job I took when I joined the Navy allowed me to do that as a Naval Aircrewman in P-3s, which were anti-submarine aircraft. I was able to visit places like Africa, Oman, India, Pakistan, Australia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and China. One goal was to set foot on every continent, and I was able to accomplish most of that. The only continent that I have not visited is Antarctica.

Why did you join Valor?

I joined Valor to help raise awareness of the struggle that service members face when they exit the service. It is a difficult transition even for people who stay only briefly. So, helping others be successful outside the service is very important to me.

Thank you, Jon, for your service, for sharing your experience, and for helping strengthen Valor’s community!