Expertly navigating the changing automation landscape, we learn more about Lippert EMEA’s innovative product portfolio and drive for diversification across the region with Lorenzo Manni, Managing Director of Caravanning.
PASSION FOR PREMIUM CARAVANNING
The European engineering and manufacturing industries are consistently navigating the challenges and benefits of a changing market.
In recent years, the landscape has experienced a strong push towards sustainability and digitalisation, marked by advancements in smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Moreover, despite the growing emphasis on green automation and sustainable practices driving transformation, the manufacturing sector across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) is still traversing the effects of a complex labour market alongside rising energy costs that have characterised the beginning of 2025.
Expertly tackling the evolving energy landscape, Lippert EMEA (Lippert) is focused on leveraging automation and innovation to enhance its product quality and consistency in the caravanning and marine sectors.
Solidifying its place in the region’s highly competitive manufacturing sphere, Lippert specialises in a vast range of products.
In order to meet the needs of the caravanning industry, it offers state-of-the-art entry doors and flyscreens, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) windows and blinds, systems for lifting bed bases and steps, as well as energy and battery management systems.
Meanwhile, in the marine sector, the company’s products include glass windows, winches, and hatches, whilst it also provides tables, glazing, and interior components for the rail industry.
As such, with an unmatched product portfolio, Lippert has a varied client base that ranges from caravan and marine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket players to train manufacturers and more.
“All of them rely on our innovative and high-quality components to enhance the desirability and functionality of their products,” opens Lorenzo Manni, Managing Director of Caravanning.
“Our renewed focus on quality and customer satisfaction ensures that we meet and exceed their expectations.”
“My journey with Lippert has been incredibly rewarding, marked by our expansion into new markets and the development of cutting-edge products, harbouring the company as one of the leading suppliers in the industry”
Lorenzo Manni, Managing Director of Caravanning, Lippert EMEA
CUSTOMER-CENTRIC ETHOS
Lippert’s commitment to innovation and continuous drive to put both OEMs and end consumers first is what truly distinguishes it in a highly competitive market.
In aid of this goal, the company has a dedicated in-house design and engineering team that works tirelessly to develop new products and improve existing ones.
Additionally, a customer-centric ethos is at the core of its corporate strategy and ensures Lippert is always in tune with the needs and expectations of its clients.
This is most aptly demonstrated by the company’s ability to overcome particularly challenging periods, keep production running efficiently, and double down on its efforts to prioritise quality and customer satisfaction.
Lippert owes this resilience to its robust corporate culture and committed workforce.
“We are extremely proud of our culture that is widening the moat with our competition,” Manni states.
Having taken on the Managing Director of Caravanning role in 2023, Manni has had the privilege of leading 900 team members across eight manufacturing sites in three EMEA countries.
Indeed, Lippert is recognised for fostering a unique and people-centred culture, cultivated by its focus on leadership and personal development and exemplified by a tailored leadership action plan (LAP) for each employee.
“We relentlessly strive to apply our core values to day-to-day working life and encourage all our team members to contribute and think outside of the box to make the company better.”
Furthermore, Lippert strongly believes in a “collective brain” and therefore created the Just Fix It programme, which encourages employees to propose solutions to problems that arise in key areas of the business including safety, sustainability, customer experience, quality, and innovation.
“Across EMEA in 2024, we recorded more than 1,800 proposals for improvements from our team members. This makes us really proud and helps us build a better, more efficient company thanks to everyone’s experiences,” Manni delights.
STRATEGIC AND ADVANTAGEOUS ACQUISITIONS
As part of the diversification of its revenue streams, Lippert has spent the last nine years focusing its attention and resources on the European caravanning market, acquiring some of the most successful companies in the industry.
Headquartered in Tuscany, Italy, Lippert expanded into the Netherlands by acquiring Dutch company Polyplastic, who specialises in producing window system solutions for the caravanning and equestrian industries alongside cooling door system solutions for the retail industry, now operated under the DoubleCOOL brand by Lippert.
More recently, German brand Schaudt rebranded as Lippert in 2023 after the company acquired the manufacturer of power management, battery chargers, and electronic control systems.
During this time, Lippert developed a series of new products that greatly expanded its market presence such as space-on-demand solutions, including the Belvedere and Vela pop-up roofs, as well as completing a number of existing product lines.
“Our focus now is on ensuring that every product we deliver meets the highest standards of quality and reliability whilst supporting the industry strive to reduce the overall cost of new units,” Manni states.
The company’s expansion targets are also complemented by exciting new launches, such as the Simply Trail entry door specifically developed for caravans.
“The Simply Trail entry door is a testament to our commitment to innovation and cost-efficiency. It combines high-quality materials and design with a streamlined manufacturing process to reduce costs without compromising on durability and aesthetics,” he highlights.
Lippert’s cutting-edge development in smart wedge technology, featuring the innovative LEVEL9 intuitive levelling system, promises to deliver exceptional stability and ease of use camper and van owners. Marketed under the Kyle Camping for Lippert brand, this advancement is set to significantly enhance the overall experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
Going forwards, the company has a number of notable projects in the pipeline, including the development of smart caravanning systems integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) technology for enhanced connectivity and convenience.
“Our focus now is on ensuring that every product we deliver meets the highest standards of quality and reliability whilst supporting the industry strive to reduce the overall cost of new units”
Lorenzo Manni, Managing Director of Caravanning, Lippert EMEA
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Alongside innovation and a customer-centric approach, corporate social responsibility (CSR) remains a cornerstone of Lippert, as its multitude of initiatives purposefully aim to give back to the communities where the company operates.
This ethos is so integral that it is imprinted into the company’s overall mission, which translates into many collaborative initiatives.
Indeed, Lippert is a key partner in the Casa Marta project in Tuscany, where the first paediatric hospice in the region is being built.
Elsewhere in the Netherlands, it is working with Road Trip for Life, a foundation that aims to build accessible vehicles for people with disabilities. On top of this, the company collaborated with the Eindhoven University of Technology to design the world’s first full electric autarchic recreational vehicle (RV) in 2022.
Lippert’s charitable activities extend to volunteering in local events across all its locations, providing support to those in areas that have suffered natural disasters, and having an overall positive impact on local communities.
On a broader scale, Lippert endeavours to participate in global industry events to showcase the company’s latest innovations, connect with peers, and gain valuable insights into market trends.
“We plan to continue our presence at key events like the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf and explore new opportunities to engage with our audience. These events are also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to being close to our customers and ensure they are well taken care of,” Manni shares.
Looking to the future, Lippert’s key priorities include strengthening its ability to remain cost-competitive in an increasingly saturated global manufacturing landscape.
This is set to be achieved thanks to the company’s automation capabilities, lean concepts, and well-consolidated manufacturing footprint.
In parallel, Lippert will continue expanding its product offerings to meet customers’ needs and innovate in response to market demands.
“We aim to strengthen our position as one of the leaders in the caravanning industry in EMEA,” Manni concludes.
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