Haffner to Retire, Glassman to Assume CEO Role at Leggett & Platt

August 18, 2015  by in Executive Changes, Industry   

Karl Glassman, president and COO of Leggett & Platt, will assume the role of CEO on Jan. 1, 2016. 

Haffner has been with the company since 1983, CEO since 2006 and chairman of the board since 2013. He served as the company’s COO for seven years before serving as its CEO. 

“On behalf of Leggett & Platt’s board of directors, I would like to recognize David’s tremendous contributions and longstanding commitment to the company,” said Richard Fisher, lead director of Leggett & Platt. “Under David’s leadership, the company embarked on a major strategic shift in late 2007, which has resulted in total shareholder return since 2008 in the top 10 percent of the S&P 500. For over three decades, he has provided invaluable leadership, a commitment to our core values and a keen focus on shareholder value.” 

Glassman succeeded Haffner as COO in 2006 and as president in 2013. He has been with the company for more than 33 years and joined the board of directors in 2002. 

“The board expects Karl to continue the great example of leadership set by David and his predecessors,” Fisher said. “As CEO, Karl will bring extensive company and industry knowledge, as well as broad understanding of the global landscape and the challenges that manufacturers face.” 

Fisher continued that Leggett & Platt is fortunate to have a very experienced team of senior managers, a strong culture, a sound strategy for the future, and a talented group of employee-partners throughout the world.

“We look forward to seeing Karl build on our past success and lead Leggett & Platt to even higher levels of achievement as we go forward,” Fisher said.