LEADER GROUP has announced the acquisition of Canadian manufacturer MERCEDES TEXTILES, strengthening its presence in North America and expanding its range of firefighting and rescue solutions.
The acquisition comes as emergency operations become increasingly complex due to wildfires, industrial risks and extreme weather events, creating greater demand for equipment that is both more efficient and more complementary.
LEADER GROUP said the move reinforces its ambition to support fire and rescue professionals with an increasingly comprehensive, innovative and high-performance portfolio.
Continuing the Group’s transformation
Since its formation in 1986, LEADER GROUP has developed, designed and manufactured high-technology equipment for firefighters, rescue teams and civil protection organisations worldwide.
Over recent years, the business has evolved from a company focused on a limited number of product lines into an international group offering complementary expertise across a broad range of operational needs.
Its firefighting portfolio includes pumps, nozzles, monitors, diphasic extinguishing systems, proportioners, foam concentrates, thermal imaging cameras and ventilators.
The Group also manufactures rescue equipment including search cameras, search detectors, search scanners and protective equipment.
Since 2021, LEADER GROUP has doubled its revenue through strong organic growth and strategic acquisitions, including ZELUP in France and C.E.T. Fire Pumps in Canada.
Mercedes Textiles adds global expertise
Founded in Quebec in 1979, MERCEDES TEXTILES designs and manufactures fire hoses, fittings and portable pumps for municipal, military, industrial and wildland firefighting organisations.
The company exports its products to more than 50 countries through its three businesses: MERCEDES TEXTILES Ltd., HIGHWATER HOSE Inc. and HYDRO-WICK INDUSTRIES Ltd.
LEADER GROUP said the acquisition is built on strong industrial and commercial synergies and will strengthen its long-term presence in North America, expand its product range, particularly for wildland firefighting, and accelerate Mercedes Textiles’ international growth through the Group’s global distribution network.
Complete operational solutions
The acquisition further strengthens LEADER GROUP’s ability to provide solutions across the full operational chain, from fluorine-free foam concentrates, firefighting nozzles and monitors, ventilators and search and rescue equipment to portable pumps and high-performance fire hoses.
The company said it continues to build an international group capable of supporting fire and rescue professionals with an increasingly complete and innovative range of solutions and is now among the few manufacturers able to meet the essential operational needs of emergency services worldwide.
Miguel Ferreira, President & CEO of LEADER GROUP, said: “This operation marks a major milestone in the development of LEADER GROUP. With MERCEDES TEXTILES, we strengthen our presence in North America and expand our range of solutions dedicated to firefighting and rescue professionals.
“This complementarity enables us to support our customers with an ever more complete, innovative, and high‑performance offering, driven by a single mission: helping save lives.”
