Gents' of Leicester, also known as Gents & Company Limited, was established in 1872 by John Thomas Gent and became well known for their electric clocks which were used in public buildings and railway stations across the world. The company also produced electric bells, fire alarm systems, telephones, radar equipment etc.

In 1981, the company was taken over by Chloride and was briefly renamed to Chloride Gent. Then in 1982, they were sold to the MK Electric Group, at which point the company became known as Gents Limited. In 1993, the company was acquired by Caradon/Novar, and then in 2005 were taken over by Hollywell, and have been known as Gent by Hollywell since. The company is still based in Leicester although now focuses on fire detection and alarm systems.