Lechler

LECHLER

COLOUR IS A LANGUAGE THAT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE powered by Inside Industry

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LECHLER

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PROFILE

For over 150 years, millions of customers have trusted Lechler’s various paints and coatings for applications ranging from home decor to marine and industrial uses. From humble beginnings to a company employing nearly 600 industry specialists, Lechler now has a global reach exporting to over 65 countries worldwide. As Jordan Yallop discovered, the company has got to where it is today through an emphasis on technology and innovation.

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echler, founded in Stuttgart, Germany in 1858, paints the picture of a company that has perfectly blended history and heritage with modern technology and a forward-thinking mentality – much to the benefit of the countless customers the world over who have applied, painted, dipped, rolled or sprayed Lechler products onto all manner of things.

Following the company’s continued growth in the early years, a subsidiary was opened close to Lake Como, Italy. The Italian branch became independent in 1910, after which three brave executives took over the branch after its closure. However, it could be argued that it was the entry of Dr Onnik Manoukian in 1924 that was the inception of the company’s modern ethos of research and development.

A family company still owned by the Manoukian family today, this almost-century-old dedication to R&D has since enabled

the brand to stand out from the crowd and differentiate itself on the market.

“I believe that the story of Lechler and its continuous evolution is what characterises the company’s depth,” stated Mannik Manoukian, Corporate Communications Specialist. “From that day till today, the Manoukian family has always believed in the values transmitted by the grandfather of the current generation.

“These values are what is leading the brand to export to 65 countries and to diversify. We entered the nautical sector with the purchase of the Stoppani brand in 2007 and following the purchase of the IVE brand in 2013, Lechler is also growing in the habitat sector.

A world of colour Today, Lechler, employing approximately 600 members of staff, operates across five sectors – Industry, Refinish, Decorative, Yachting and Habitat.

“Lechler's business has always been focused on and characterised by constant technological development,” stated Ms Manoukian. “The company is based on research, innovation and the consequent formulation of new painting products.”

The company is headquartered and operates three production sites in Italy – Foligno, Seregno and Como. The 120,000 sqm Como plant is solely dedicated to the production of all Lechler’s solvent-based paints with a production capacity measuring 20 million litres a year.

The Foligno facility is dedicated to the manufacture of the company’s water-based paints. Spanning 60,000 sqm, the site has a production capacity of 6 million litres a year. Finally, the 21,000 sqm Seregno plant produces the products for Lechler’s Habitat sector and has a production capacity of 4 million litres a year.

The company has four other European branches – in the UK, France, Spain and Inside Industry

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LECHLER

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PROFILE

Germany – and also has four further locations in Brazil, the largest of which is a production site in Rio Grande Do Sul which is spread over 30,000 sqm with a production capacity of 4 million litres a year.

“Each business has its most successful products that mark its history,” said Ms Manoukian. “In every sector we are careful to respond to the sudden changes in the market and in European legislation that push towards the formulation of sustainable and low-VOC products. Our core business is certainly allocated between Refinish and Industry.

“For Refinish we have just proposed new air, water and UV painting processes composed of innovative high-tech products that allow users to combine low emissions and significant energy savings. In line with the times, we have also formulated specific antibacterial additives based on innovative substances, designed 4

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for the release of highly functional silver ions for all artifacts and environments that require specific prevention and resistance to bacterial proliferation.”

Colourful ideas Two of Lechler’s ongoing stand-out projects are The Bodyshop of Everything and Natural Value.

The Bodyshop of Everything, so far launched in Italy and France, and soon to be in Spain, is described as a movement to get bodyshop painters out of their comfort zone. Recognising that the auto repair and bodyshop sector was not experiencing a very prosperous time even before the advent of Covid-19, Lechler promptly readjusted its programs and approach to the market.

“This is to convince the sector to enhance their importance and unique professionalism (which is represented by the ability to give maximum value to any sur-

face), through a high-quality painting process. Not limiting this professionalism only to the painting of cars, but also extending it to all those objects that need to be restored,” said Ms Manoukian.

Lechler has structured this into a uniquely branded program that is intended to support bodyshop painters from a commercial, marketing and colour consultancy perspective.

The other project, Natural Value, centres on the ability to use technological innovation with the ability to create what Lechler calls a “Culture of Colour”. Falling under the umbrella of the company’s Tech brand, Natural Value is a collection that uses nature as its inspiration by recalling its chromatic material schemes. The collection is divided into three categories: Simplemat, offering one-coat matt enamels with low visual impact; Soft Grain, a selection of gloss and textured enamels for a subtle finish; and Perfect Lacquer.

“Perfect Lacquer is a finish obtained by overlapping transparent and coloured layers interacting with each other. Manufactured items painted with Perfect Lacquer show supreme gloss and deep, iridescent and enigmatic gloss – saturated, appealing and seductive finishes,” said Ms Manoukian.

A greener future One of Lechler’s most recent and noteworthy investments is the Lechler Village renovation project. This is the planned renovation of the company’s Como headquarters, which will see its expansion, as well as the existing buildings being overhauled to increase sustainability and safety.

The company is also starting a project to digitise many of the company’s operations to ensure the integration of human resources, processes and technologies are in line with corporate strategies and objectives.

Adding to this, Lechler has always ensured a steady stream of investments through its Inside Industry

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Operations Department to help with sustainability goals. These investments are aimed at the improvement of safety standards, environmental protection and responsible resource consumption.

“Sustainability is certainly the trend the market must necessarily follow, both from a legislative and a moral standpoint,” said Ms Manoukian. “Lechler has always followed this path with projects aimed at lowering emissions, as well as reducing waste in all the sectors in which it operates.

Water-based systems and products have been included in all businesses and today represent a valid and technologically competitive proposal.”

The company actively seeks to collaborate with customers and partners who believe in sustainability. An example of which is Enessere, an Italian wind turbines manufacturer with whom a relationship was established due to mutual love for what Ms Manoukian described as “the highly technological, and beautiful to show.”

The company cited one of the biggest future challenges being the continued transition to a new model of sustainable development. As for the here and now,

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the company is still addressing the disastrous effects Covid had on the supply chain and the diminished availability of products due to world events. As such Lechler’s main objective was to guarantee the flow of supplies and shipment to customers – which was achieved with excellent results.

Concluding with a positive point on how the company has worked together to get through the tough times, Ms Manoukian said: “All the people threw their hearts over the obstacle demonstrating closeness and attachment to the company even in difficult times.” n

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