PRESS RELEASE
Octeville-sur-Mer, May 28, 2026
GENEO Capital Entrepreneur is reinvesting in Leader Group alongside the management team to support the acquisition of Mercedes Textiles in Canada and accelerate its international expansion
Leader Group, backed by GENEO Capital Entrepreneur since 2021, announces a new capital raise aimed at supporting its next phase of international expansion and financing the acquisition of Mercedes Textiles in Canada. GENEO Capital Entrepreneur, alongside Leader Group’s management, is making a significant reinvestment, with support from several families and entrepreneurs through a co-investment vehicle, as well as a pool of bank and financial lenders.
Founded in 1985 in Le Havre, Leader Group is a recognized international leader in the design and manufacture of technical firefighting and emergency rescue equipment, designed to protect and save lives and property. The group develops, in particular, firefighting equipment, rescue equipment, fans, foam generators, thermal imaging cameras, and innovative fire suppression technologies.
Since GENEO acquired a stake in the company in 2021, Leader Group has significantly accelerated its growth, driven by sustained organic growth and several strategic acquisitions, notably Zelup in France and C.E.T. Group in Canada. In four years, the group has more than doubled its revenue, while significantly strengthening its international footprint and diversifying its expertise and activities, exceeding the growth trajectory initially envisioned. The group is also committed to increasing its positive impact through the production of non-fluorinated foam concentrates via its subsidiary Bioex, and water-efficient fire nozzles via the two-phase nozzle developed by its subsidiary Zelup.
A new strategic acquisition in Canada
Based in Quebec, Mercedes Textiles has been designing and manufacturing fire hoses, couplings, and portable pumps for municipal, forest, military, and industrial fire departments since 1979. Renowned for its industrial expertise and the quality of its equipment, the company now exports its products to more than 50 countries.
The merger with Mercedes Textiles is based on strong industrial and commercial synergies. It will enable Leader Group to strengthen its foothold in North America, expand its product offering—particularly in equipment related to wildfires—and accelerate Mercedes’ international growth through the group’s global network.
This initiative is part of the strategy that has been in place for several years by Miguel Ferreira: to build a leading international player in technical solutions for firefighting and emergency response, by combining innovation, and international expansion.
With the acquisition of Mercedes Textiles, Leader Group has reached a decisive milestone and is taking its business to the next level: transitioning from an SME to a key global player in firefighting and emergency rescue, and building—acquisition by acquisition—a unique international platform. This trajectory fully illustrates the ambition driven by GENEO and its evergreen investment firm model: to build long-term “Growth Portfolios” and provide sustained support to entrepreneurial builders to foster the emergence of international champions that benefit the real economy.
Miguel Ferreira, CEO of Leader Group, said: “ This transaction marks a major milestone in Leader Group’s development. With Mercedes Textiles, we are significantly strengthening our presence in North America and expanding our range of technical solutions for the firefighting industry. This product synergy enables us to provide our customers with a complete system, from the fire truck to the nozzle carrier, allowing us to expand our expertise to help save lives and protect those who protect others.”
“Since 2021, GENEO’s support has played a key role in shaping the group, accelerating our international growth, and executing several strategic initiatives.”
Marc Dupuy, Partner at GENEO Capital Entrepreneur, comments: “ We are pleased to support this new strategic phase for the Leader Group and to continue the journey alongside Miguel Ferreira and his teams. Since 2021, the group has more than doubled in size, accelerated its international expansion, and built a unique platform driven by innovation, international development, and external growth. This new transaction cements the work carried out with management under the Carnet de Croissance program and fully illustrates the strengths of GENEO’s evergreen model: the ability to support visionary entrepreneurs over the long term, with high standards, trust, and a collective spirit, to turn our mid-sized companies into global leaders.”
The transaction is complemented by a Series C investment from “NCI Debt Private 1,” which is making its first investment through this deal. This vehicle is designed to offer non-dilutive, bullet-payment financing solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-market companies in the Northwest region to support their projects.
Speakers:
- Leader Group (Miguel Ferreira, Management)
- Financial investor: GENEO Capital Entrepreneur (Marc Dupuy, Ophélie Diss, Hugues Meynial)
- Lenders: CIC Nord Ouest Bank, Arkea Corporate and Institutional Banking, BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole Mutuel de Normandie Seine, Société Générale, NCI Private Debt, Bpifrance
- Financial advisory / financial due diligence: Forvis Mazars (Matthieu Boyé’s team in France, Philippe de Gaulle’s team in Canada)
- Legal and tax advice: SVZ (France), Degrandpré Chait (Canada)
About Leader Group
A major player in its market for several decades, LEADER GROUP develops, manufactures, and supplies high-value-added equipment for firefighting, search and rescue operations to locate buried victims, and fire training. The group supports firefighters, emergency response professionals, civil defense personnel, rescue and debris-clearance teams, maritime personnel, and training staff in their mission to protect people and property worldwide.
About GENEO Capital Entrepreneur
Through its “evergreen” investment firm, GENEO Capital Entrepreneur provides agile capital that adapts to the pace of each company with responsiveness and flexibility. As a business partner, it provides operational and human support for the execution of business plans through a “Growth Playbook” tailored to each company, as well as access to specialized “business partners” and a network of experts. Its community of over 260 families and entrepreneurs offers a unique platform for sharing experiences and a business network unparalleled in France.
For more information: www.geneocapitalentrepreneur.com
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