In 1978, Motivair became part of the family-owned Leach-Lewis Group, growing to become one of the largest compressed air management companies in Europe. However, the roots of the company extend back to the end of World War II when founder Stuart Charles Baker, a serving Royal Engineer, left the army to manage Teddington Engineering at Elleray Hall.
In 1957, Stuart first introduced the name Motivair and, twenty years later, Robin Leach joined forces with him to create a joint venture, Motivair Leach. Ultimately, Robin acquired the renamed Motivair Compressors Limited from Stuart, who nonetheless remained pivotally involved until his retirement in 1986.
Under the umbrella of the Leach-Lewis Group, Motivair quickly developed into a national service provider through both organic growth and acquisition. The company also took the Motivair brand overseas in the 1980s, expanding its International Division rapidly into more than 80 countries. More recently, Motivair has launched its own range compressor range – The Motivair Opus Series – which complements the leading manufacturers’ brands which it has serviced since the very early days.The company continues to expand in the new century, with such well known names as LCC, Grant Pneumatics, APC, Multi-Pneumatics, CMRS, Airchannel and Duncan Rogers Compressor Service Division becoming part of the Motivair family.
Timeline
| 1952 |
Stuart Charles Baker leaves the army and establishes Teddington Engineering |
| 1957 |
The company registers new name Motive-Air Co., later renamed as Motivair Compressors .Ltd |
| 1978 |
Motivair Leach formed by Stuart Charles Baker and Robin Leach, with Motivair subsequently acquired fully by the family-owned Leach Lewis Group. |
| 1986 |
Founder Stuart Baker retires |
| 2006 |
Acquisition of London Compressor Centre, Air Power Centre and Grant Pneumatics. The Motivair Opus Series of compressors is launched |
| 2007 |
Acquisition of Multi Pneumatics |
| 2008 |
Acquisition of Economatics Pneumatics and CMRS
Motivair relocates to brand new head office facilities in Burntwood, Staffordshire, and opens a new National Distribution Centre close by in Brownhills. |
| 2009 |
Acquisition of Oscott Air |
| 2010 |
Acquisition of Airchannel Ltd |
| 2011 |
Acquisition of Duncan Rogers Compressor Service Division |