ABOUT US

From a modest beginning as a one-product company in 1919, LEACH® products have become the standard for the design and manufacture of electrical switches, aircraft relays, electrical relays and control devices for the aerospace and rail industries. Today’s broad range of products can trace its heritage back more than nine decades to the development of a single product in a small laboratory in San Francisco…

TIMELINE LEACH SINCE 1919

1919

As a radio operator in the Navy during World War I, Val Leach conceived the idea of a break-in relay to eliminate many of the frustrations he experienced with the erratic nature of early two-way radio communications. His automatic antenna switch and power relay became the first product of the Leach Relay Company, which he founded.

1929

Leach moved to Los Angeles, California, and hired his first employee, EK Neale.

1930

A period of strong growth for Leach :
- New relays added to the product range
- Staff increased to 20 employees
- First building and land purchased
- Plant expanded to twice its original capacity

1940

Leach grows to 20 employees and employs 125 production workers. In addition, three adjacent lots are purchased and a new building is under construction.

1941

Val Leach dies in an automobile accident in October.

1941

Attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941.
Relay demand grows exponentially.

1942

Mrs. Leach dies during surgery in August, leaving the Leach Relays Co. to her two minor children, Patricia and Bill, under the guardianship of attorney F. Paul Hornaday, administrator of the estate.

1949

After Val Leach's death in 1941, ownership of the company passed through several hands until it was acquired by GL Ohrstrom.

1952

The company is renamed Leach Corporation.

1962

Creation of LRE - Relay and Electronics Germany.
LEACH USA creates its European subsidiary LRE, which becomes independent a few years later, to better adapt to its territory : EUROPE.

1969

Creation of LRE France in Vittersbourg, France.
Activity of winding and manufacturing of ½ quartz relays.

1982

LRE-France is set up in Sarralbe, France.

1988

Acquisition of GEPE - Production sites in Boulogne and Niort, France.
Manufacturer of subminiature relays (AEM-GP / THOMSON-SODELMO).

1992

Acquisition of the company, LES MODELES FRANÇAIS, manufacturer of contactors, in Saint-Maur des Fossés, France.

1995

Transfer of the relay business from LRE Germany to Sarralbe, France.
Leach International becomes the oldest and largest supplier of aerospace relays and solid state switching devices in the world.
The European operations are moving to Sarralbe, France.

2004

LEACH INTERNATIONAL comes under the control of ESTERLINE.

2019

Change of ownership and takeover of the name LEACH INTERNATIONAL EUROPE.

Val Leach

The café-restaurant in Vittersbourg, serving as the first top-secret production workshop.

Operator in Vittersbourg.

Design office in Sarralbe.

Our team

Succeeding together

Discover our job offers

From day one, you’ll discover that you’re part of a motivated, high-performance team. We deliver industry solutions because we have the right ideas, the right skills and the right mindset. You can achieve great things on your own, but together we can do things smarter, faster and more excitingly.

Our
values

Our driving force

TEAM WORK

Our strength

COMMITMENT

Our goal

PERFORMANCE

Our story

PRODUCT

Our Sites

Discover our catalog

LIE SARRALBE, FRANCE

LIE NIORT, FRANCE

LIAP HONG-KONG, CHINA

key figures

> 100

Years of experience

> 500

Staff

Manufacturing plants

Leach can be found all over the world

Discover Leach's worldwide presence, symbolizing our dedication and innovation across the globe.

LIE SARRALBE, FRANCE

Leach International
Europe S.A.S.

2, Rue Goethe
C.S. 50004
F-57430 Sarralbe
France

Contact

+33 3 87 97 98 97

LIE NIORT, FRANCE

Leach International  
Europe S.A.S.

14, rue Sainte-Claire Déville
79000 Niort
Niort
France

Contact

+33 5 49 79 08 44

LIAP HONG-KONG, CHINA

Leach International
Asia Pacific

Units 602-603 6/F Lakeside 1
No.8 Science Park West Avenue
Phase Two, Hong Kong Science Park
Pak Shek Kok, Tai Po, N.T.
Hong Kong

Contact

(852) 2-191-3830

would you like to join us ?

By joining our company, you will become part of a major player in the global market for relays and contactors for harsh environments. We have a great responsibility towards our customers and suppliers, and must guarantee a high level of excellence. Don’t delay, join us now to take part in this exciting adventure and contribute to our commitment to excellence.

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