Royal in town for big day

Oct 24 2008 by Gemma Castle, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

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The Duke of Kent was also on hand to present the Queen’s Award for Enterprise to Bradley-based print specialist Leach Colour Ltd when he spent a day in the town.

The company was a winner in the innovation category of the award for its STIK magnetic graphics display product, which is used extensively in retail stores, car showrooms, offices, museums and visitor centres in the UK and abroad.

During a two-hour visit to the firm, the Duke of Kent was given a guided tour of the business by managing director Richard Leach and met staff before presenting the award and having lunch with directors and invited guests.

He visited the production office, design studio and photographic laboratory as well as the main shopfloor and sales and accounts office.

The duke was accompanied by the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Karam Hussain, and Dr Ingrid Roscoe, Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

The visit was the second by a member of the royal family to the company. The Countess of Wessex officially opened the 30,000sq ft premises at Bradley Business Park in 2005 following the firm’s move to the purpose-built premises from Brighouse.

Leach Colour was founded in 1891 by Richard Leach’s great-grandfather. It employs 80 people at its purpose-built 30,000sq ft premises at Bradley Business Park.