Originally started by Joy and Gordon Lennard in 1955, the company was created to sell shampoo sachets to the slipper baths which were attached to public swimming pools.

New technology had just been created which enabled plastic shampoo sachets to be easily opened with a specially designed tear off neck. Gordon Lennard felt that this innovation would be perfect for the UK and set about touring the country to sell his newfound innovation.

After time, the sachets were joined by swimming accessories when the Slipper Bath Manager - who also ran the attached swimming pool - began to ask for products such as armbands and goggles.

In line with the development of the leisure industry, further items were added to the company's portfolio. In the 1960's there were pool products, the 1970's saw the creation of more sports halls, the 1980's saw the rise of leisure pools with fitness centres, and the 1990's were a growth time for private sector leisure.

Lennards spotted these trends and aimed to cater for each market, leading to the wide product range that is on offer today and still being added to.

Gordon Lennard died in 1974 and the business was carried on by his wife, Joy and his son, Nigel, with David joining the business a few years later, both of whom still run the business today.

In the year of its fiftieth anniversary, the business has a purpose built 20,000 square foot warehouse in Rugby, a personnel team of 21 and offers a range of over 3,000 items from its 2005 catalogue.

The JP Lennard 2005 gold, 50th Anniversary catalogue will be available from March. Telephone 01788 544839 to receive your free copy.

leisure-kit keyword: JP Lennard