Press Release

Carthage, MO — The FORTUNE® 1999 list of "America’s Most Admired Companies" ranks Leggett & Platt in the top 5% of nearly 500 major U.S. corporations. This year’s survey was published in the March 1st issue of the magazine.

More than 10,000 executives, directors and securities analysts received ballots from FORTUNE® asking them to judge 469 companies in 55 industries. The companies were rated on innovativeness, quality of management, employee talent, quality of products/services, long-term investment value, financial soundness, social responsibility and use of corporate assets. Numerical ratings in each of these categories were used to compile composite scores for each company. Leggett’s score of 7.73 compares to top rated General Electric, which had a score of 8.21. Only 22 of the 469 companies listed had higher composite scores than Leggett & Platt’s.

Carthage based Leggett is a leading manufacturer of engineered products serving several major markets. Sales and production are focused on components and related residential and commercial furnishings, aluminum products, industrial materials and other specialized products. Leggett & Platt has facilities throughout North America and in numerous international locations. Its common stock is listed on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges with the symbol LEG.