Approximately 80 employees at the Leggett & Platt production facility have been given notice their jobs are being terminated because the company is shutting down operations at the location. The facility on the corner of South County Line Road and Fancy Farms Road also employs an additional 25 temporary workers. Leggett & Platt primarily manufactures bedding products. It employs more than 19,000 people, and its headquarters is in Carthage, Missouri. According to an employee, the Plant City facility built therapeutic adjustable beds used in hospitals, and adjustable beds for Temper-Pedic mattresses.
The company’s Employee and Labor Relations team released the following statement:
“In January 2024, Leggett & Platt implemented a restructuring plan primarily focused on our Bedding Products business. This plan is intended to better align our business with an evolving competitive landscape and position our company for profitable growth. As part of these initiatives, we are consolidating our manufacturing footprint to better align capacity with regional demand and enhance our efficiency. We recognize the impact that these actions will have on our colleagues at our adjustable bed facility in Plant City, and we take these decisions very seriously. We are committed to treating colleagues exiting our business with compassion and respect. We will provide them with support and resources as they transition to the next step in their careers.”
One employee declined to comment for fear of losing his job. However, others were willing to speak.
“We’re in a recession, so business isn’t going as planned,” an employee commented on the condition of anonymity. “Our prices just deflated. That is what they told us that changed. They are just not selling as much as they were.”
“I think it is a shame that they are moving their warehouse and factory here all the way down to Mexico,” Marcus said. “I guess they can get their labor for a cheaper price, but it puts a lot of hard-working people out of work. It’s a shame.”
“Everybody has different opinions of how they feel,” said an employee who declined to give her name. “Some are upset. Some are okay with what is going on because they have better opportunities somewhere else. But, it is what it is.”
“The jobs are moving to Mexico,” Leandro commented. “Everybody is saying, ‘What happened?’”