As emergency operations become increasingly complex — wildfires, industrial risks, extreme weather events — fire and rescue services require equipment that is even more efficient and complementary.
In this context, LEADER GROUP announces the acquisition of MERCEDES TEXTILES, a Canadian company specialising in the manufacturing of fire hoses, fittings, and portable pumps.
This strategic move strengthens the Group’s presence in North America and reaffirms its ambition: to support fire and rescue professionals with an even more comprehensive, innovative, and high‑performance range of solutions.
A new milestone in the Group’s transformation
Since 1986, LEADER GROUP has been developing, designing, and manufacturing high-technology equipment for firefighters, rescue teams, and civil protection organisations worldwide.
Over the past years, the Group has undergone a profound evolution. From a company focused on a few product lines, it has become an international group built on complementary expertise covering a wide range of operational needs:
- pumps
- nozzles
- monitors
- diphasic extinguishing systems
- proportioners
- foam concentrates
- thermal imaging cameras
- ventilators
Since 2021, LEADER GROUP has doubled its revenue, driven by strong organic growth and several strategic acquisitions – including ZELUP in France and C.E.T. Fire Pumps in Canada.
Today, the Group continues its transformation with a clear ambition: to offer fire and rescue professionals solutions that are increasingly comprehensive and adapted to real-world operational challenges.
MERCEDES TEXTILES: internationally recognised expertise
Founded in Quebec in 1979, MERCEDES TEXTILES designs and manufactures fire hoses, fittings, and portable pumps for municipal, military, industrial, and wildland firefighting services.
Renowned for the quality of its equipment and industrial know‑how, the company exports its products to more than 50 countries through three entities: MERCEDES TEXTILES Ltd., HIGHWATER HOSE Inc., and HYDRO‑WICK INDUSTRIES Ltd.
Its integration into LEADER GROUP is based on strong industrial and commercial synergies. It will strengthen the Group’s long‑term presence in North America, expand its product offering, particularly for wildland firefighting, and accelerate
MERCEDES’ international development through the Group’s global distribution network.
A portfolio covering the essential operational needs: from pump to nozzle
With this acquisition, LEADER GROUP takes another step forward in building a comprehensive offering for fire and rescue services.
The Group can now provide solutions covering the entire operational chain: fluorine‑free foam concentrates, firefighting nozzles and monitors, ventilators, search and rescue equipment, portable pumps, and high‑performance fire hoses.
Through its acquisitions and the development of its expertise, LEADER GROUP confirms its international ambition and continues to build a group capable of supporting fire and rescue professionals with an increasingly complete and innovative range of solutions. Today, the Group is among the few manufacturers able to meet the essential operational needs of emergency services worldwide.
“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” Miguel Ferreira, President & CEO of LEADER GROUP
