Graphic display specialist acquired by large format fabrics giant

Leach CEO Richard Leach and Chargeurs director of international development Sampiero Lanfranchi shake hands on the deal

Graphic display specialist Leach has been acquired by French-owned Chargeurs, a global manufacturing and services group with leading positions in temporary surface protection, garment interlinings, technical substrates and combed wool.

With a global customer portfolio spreading over 80 countries the Chargeurs group has plans to double its turnover to €1bn in the next five years. 

The worldwide presence of the business meant that Chargeurs was the perfect brand to take Leach forward with its next chapter of international growth. 

Managing director Richard Leach said, ‘A key part of our long-term strategy was to evaluate opportunities to build upon our reputation and legacy, on a global scale.’

With the financial backing of this global group, Leach is now able to turn its 16-hour per day operation into a 24-hour business. Mr Leach already has his sights set on further product development.

‘With the financial resources and international knowledge of the Chargeurs team – combined with our own – we have an even greater platform to launch new display products. By creating more of a closed loop business model with the supplier of our best-selling print material, we can also offer even sharper response times, which should give us a more distinct competitive edge in the marketplace,’ Mr Leach continued.

When asked if anything will change on a day-to-day basis, he concluded, ‘In truth, it’s business as normal at Leach’s West Yorkshire headquarters. We’re maintaining the same offices, the same team, and the same brand. What the acquisition does mean, however, is that we have better access to investment, and the global markets we wish to target.’

Leach was founded in 1891 by Richard Leach’s great-grandfather, only two miles down the road from its current headquarters. The company began life as a one-man photographic studio and has grown to become a 100-strong business with over 500 customers and an annual turnover of £11m.