Leggett & Platt Extends Helping Hand to Local Community

CARTHAGE, Mo., May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Leggett & Platt, Incorporated today pledged to donate $1 million toward tornado relief for the Joplin community.  As one of the largest employers in the area, the Carthage-based company has many employees who sustained significant personal loss in the unprecedented storm that leveled a large section of neighboring Joplin, MO.  

"We are grieving with our fellow partners who lost loved ones and homes in this horrific storm," said David Haffner, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "We are still gathering information on the losses sustained by those employees who were in the path of the storm.  At this point, we know of at least 35 families who lost everything, and we mourn the death of one employee partner."

According to Haffner, the company will direct the donation to local agencies to benefit Joplin residents.  

"Leggett & Platt has been a part of this community for more than 128 years," Haffner said.  "Our roots include multi-generation employees, customers, and business colleagues.  We want to help."

The company immediately offered assistance to local storm shelters, and employees are volunteering in numerous relief efforts.

"We have encouraged our employees to help in whatever way they can," said Karl Glassman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  "In every department and plant, Leggett people have rallied to support their colleagues. Just like other area companies, we are experiencing an outpouring of generosity from every corner of the company as our employees take good care of each other."

Leggett & Platt is a publicly traded (NYSE: LEG) company that manufactures components and products that can be found in most homes, offices, and automobiles. The company serves a broad suite of customers that comprise a "Who's Who" of U.S. manufacturers and retailers. From its beginnings in 1883 with the invention of the coil bed spring, the company has grown to 19,000 employee-partners in 140 manufacturing facilities located in 18 countries.

For additional information, contact Robert McKinzie in the company's Human Resources Department at 417-358-8131.

SOURCE Leggett & Platt