Behind an iconic UK hairspray brand

Established in 1967, LEC has developed into a major force in aerosol filling with its own brands – including Insette hairspray – as well as offering contract filling services. The company tells World Aerosols about how its origins shape its current approach
Pointing to the company’s beginnings, Debbie Dwyer, LEC’s office manager, noted that the company was the ‘baby’ of Larry and Eileen Clare – hence the name LEC.
“Eileen used to be a hairdresser and Larry a salesman,” continued Dwyer. “They met when Larry started to sell hairdressing products to her in her own shop. Initially they started to fill a bulk of hair setting lotion and hairspray at home and then sold this product to other hairdressers. This then became a hairdressing wholesale business.”
First ever hair mousse
The company has come on leaps and bounds since then. In the 1970s, hairspray utilised within hairdressing salons tended to be a trigger spray, Dwyer said. Larry had a vision and decided to develop an aerosol version in 800g cans. Insette became the LEC brand name that Larry and Eileen launched almost 50 years ago.
“He...