BOLTON-based coatings specialists Leighs Paints is celebrating 150 years of continuous family ownership.

What started as a small firm in 1860 now has a global impact with its specialist coatings used in marine and construction industries around the world.

Leighs Paints has a worldwide reputation for its fire retardant or intumescent coatings which protect underlying metal structures from fire.

This year the company is celebrating 150 years of continuous ownership by the Leigh and Leigh-Bramwell families. Set up by two brothers, William and Joshua Leigh, the company is believed to be one of the oldest in Bolton, based at its head office in Tower Works, Kestor Street.

Although the business is now famed for its world class coatings, paint manufacture remained a sideline until after the First World War, when Leighs Paints developed some of the first “ready for use” coatings for ships.

The famous “Leighs Marine White” was launched in 1924 under then chairman Herbert Leigh.

Herbert’s nephew Philip Leigh-Bramwell later took over the business, expanding the company both in the UK and internationally.

Today, under the chairmanship of the next generation of the Leigh family, Brian Leigh-Bramwell, Leighs Paints is known around the globe.

In 2006, exports accounted for eight per cent of the business but by 2009 it had grown to a quarter, while over the same period turnover had increased by 33 per cent.

With employees in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America, the Far East and Australasia, Leighs Paints knows the secret to its success is its people.

Chairman Brian Leigh-Bramwell said: “We are celebrating 150 years of continuous family ownership, of which we are extremely proud.

“To reach this significant milestone is a great achievement and one which my family and I celebrate with the team at Leighs Paints, whose passion and determination to be the best has never wavered.

“It is this passion which will continue to drive the business forward into what I believe to be a very bright future.”

Celebrations have included a family open day for colleagues past and present, tors.

Leighs Paint is calling on former staff members, or people who share knowledge of the company, to get in touch and share their stories and experiences of the firm.

Contact Lisa Hilton on 01204 521771 or email lisa.hilton@leighspaints.com