Our History & Timeline
In 1883, J.P. Leggett and C.B. Platt began a partnership that would shape the way the world sleeps. What started small, two men creating bedsprings in a borrowed space at a plow factory, has grown over the last 138 years into a global diversified manufacturer. Explore our milestones and learn how it all began.
The 1800s
1883
American inventor J.P. Leggett develops the idea for a spiral steel coil bedspring and partners with blacksmith and future brother-in-law C.B. Platt to form Leggett & Platt.
1885
The L&P bedspring is patented. Consisting of single cone spring wire coils, formed and interlaced in a unique manner and mounted on a wood slat base, it is used as a resilient, durable base for then-popular cotton, feather, and horsehair mattresses.
The 1900s
1901
Leggett & Platt is incorporated.
1926
Leggett & Platt completes the construction of its new combined manufacturing and Corporate office facility.
1933
The Company begins manufacturing springs for innerspring mattresses, paving the way for a diversified product lineup that would eventually include rollaway beds, folding metal cots, bed frames, and bed rails.
1947
Leggett & Platt operates four plants in three states (Missouri, Kentucky, and Texas) and has 500 employees.
1953
Harry M. Cornell Sr. becomes president.
1960
Harry M. Cornell Jr., J.P. Leggett’s grandson, elected President and CEO, taking over for his father (J.P. Leggett’s son-in-law).
1967
Initial public offering of Leggett & Platt stock.
1970
The Company begins producing steel motion hardware for the Home Furniture market, allowing upholstered seating to rock, recline, and swivel.
The Company begins drawing steel wire primarily for internal use.
1979
Leggett & Platt stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
1986
The Company enters the Flooring Products market.
1988
The Company enters the Automotive market by producing seating components.
1993
The Company enters the Non-Woven Fabric market.
1999
Felix E. Wright is elected CEO after Harry M. Cornell Jr.’s retirement.
The Company enters the Adjustable Bed market and is now the largest producer of adjustable beds in North America.
The 2000s
2002
L&P begins producing steel rod in Sterling, IL, primarily for use in the Company’s wire-drawing facilities.
2006
David S. Haffner is elected CEO.
2007
The Company unveils a new strategic direction. The Company focuses on divesting underperforming businesses, improving margins and returns, and returning cash to shareholders through increasing the dividend and share buybacks.
2012
Leggett enters the Aerospace market, producing exotic metal tubing and fabricated assemblies for fluid conveyance.
2015
Karl G. Glassman is elected CEO.
2016
The Company successfully divests a majority of its underperforming businesses and turns its attention to profitably growing revenues.
2018
The Company enters the Hydraulic Cylinders market.
2019
L&P acquires Elite Comfort Solutions, a leader in proprietary specialized foam technology for the bedding and furniture industries, for $1.25 billion – the Company’s largest acquisition to date.
2020
Today, Leggett & Platt products can be found nearly everywhere. Operations include 135 production facilities in 17 countries
The Company is the leading US-based producer of:
- Bedding components
- Automotive seat support and lumbar systems
- Specialty bedding foams and private label finished mattresses
- Components for home furniture and work furniture
- Flooring underlayment
- Adjustable beds
- Bedding industry machinery
