LEC Refrigeration

Responsible for designing quality kitchen appliances, Lec appliance are affordable, simple and there’s something for every budget.

Appliance Manufacturer & Brand Information

Lec Refrigeration is a dedicated manufacturer of refrigeration established for over 60 years.

Lec aims to make efficient, well engineered products for Domestic, Marine, Medical, Commercial, Scientific and Technical markets in the UK and overseas.

In 1940 Charles and Frank Purley owned a fresh fish shop and, as obtaining ice was expensive they sought a cheap method of keeping the fish in good condition had to be found. In 1942 with partner Leslie Jull they purchased a small engineering workshop in Longford Road Bognor Regis and Longford Engineering Company (L.e.c) was born. Through the war years the workshop produced munitions as well as developing a refrigeration system.

The founders obtained some land from Farmer Munday at Shripney Road Bognor Regis for £125 in 1946. This was the base from which the factory grew. In the same year their first prototype fridge was made, and the company acquired its first airplane, which was used for urgent deliveries and repairs, yes it was seriously used to do service calls, it isn't a myth. The plane was also used for transporting executives on business trips.

By 1947 the factory at Shripney Road was in full production and about 200 workers were employed. During the 1940''s Lec concentrated on their foreign export market, due to the fact that steel was in short supply and available only for the overseas trade. As a result of this 90% of all fridges Britain exported to Canada in 1948 were made by Lec, and at times 80% of all Lec fridges were for export.

In 1954 the company was renamed Lec Refrigeration Ltd.

In 1964 Lec was floated on the stock market successfully. In the same year Lec expanded to Burnley, Oldham and Northern Ireland.

Charles Purley Founder and Chairman of the board of Directors was presented with an OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1986. In October of 1991 at the age of 81 Charles Purley gave up the Chairmanship of the board, he became life president but sadly died in the December.

Sime Darby of Malaysia purchased Lec and invested £34 million into a new factory in 1994.

Then in 2003 Lec officially close their old factory with a ceremony held for employees. Long service awards were given to those employees who had worked at the company for over 20 years.

March 2005 and Lec is acquired by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances a major manufacturer with brands such as Stoves, Belling and New World. Chief Executive, Denver Hewitt said, "We are pleased to have acquired Lec and plan to continue with the management's strategy, to accelerate its growth and regain its leading position in the UK refrigeration market. We have a strong track record in acquiring and rebuilding businesses in the domestic appliance industry."

Lec Commercial products continues to be managed from the site at Bognor Regis, and Lec Domestic is now managed from GDHA head office in Prescot, Merseyside.