Founded in April 1986 by Andrew and Anne Leake, LiDR Contract Furniture Ltd was born from a desire to create sustainable, skilled jobs in a city with a rich manufacturing heritage.
Starting with early years furniture such as role play kitchens and bookboxes—reflecting the founders’ experience as young parents—the company has since grown into a leading manufacturer of bespoke furniture and CNC-machined components for clients across a wide range of sectors.
As LiDR approaches its 40th anniversary in 2026, it remains a proudly family-run business. Andrew Leake continues to serve as Managing Director, while his daughter Eleanor Owen has joined the leadership team as a Director. Alongside fellow Directors Darren Lowe and Leigh Emery, they form a close-knit senior team that combines strategic oversight with deep operational knowledge.
“We’re a team, but also a family business,” says Owen. “Many of our staff have been with us for 10, 20, even 30 years. That experience is a huge asset to both our quality and our culture.”
LiDR operates across two main service areas. The first is the full design, manufacture, and installation of contract furniture for sectors including education, hospitality, retail, and commercial spaces. The second is a precision CNC machining and cut-and-edge service, producing thousands of components annually—such as locker doors and desktops—for clients who complete final assembly themselves.
With seven CNC machines (including a five-axis model) and robotic board storage, LiDR can produce virtually any panel-based shape or form in materials such as MFC, MDF, SGL, and plywood. This manufacturing flexibility, supported by a UK-based supply chain and a “just in time” model, allows lead times as fast as 2-4 weeks for components and 4-8 weeks for furniture.
“Efficiency is at the heart of everything we do,” says Owen. “We optimise our panels to reduce waste, burn offcuts in our biomass heater, and source a high percentage of materials from UK suppliers. It’s how we maintain competitive pricing and deliver reliability, especially in a climate of rising energy, labour, and raw material costs.”
A recent standout project highlights LiDR’s capabilities: the bespoke joinery for the University of Oxford’s Life and Mind Building, delivered for Wates Construction. The project included reception desks, seating booths, planters, display units, and even custom Herbarium furniture.
“LiDR’s items were finished to a very high standard,” said Tony Lucey of Wates Construction. “It was a challenging project, but I would work with Eleanor and her team again.”
“The building’s ambitious design demanded new methods and materials,” adds Owen. “Our design and production teams rose to the challenge and delivered something we’re all incredibly proud of.”
Looking ahead, LiDR is preparing for a major upgrade to its manufacturing facility that will increase both capacity and sustainability—ensuring the business continues to grow while staying true to its values.
“As we near 40 years in business, we’re proud of our journey—but even more excited about what comes next,” says Owen.
