Unity is strength

In recent years, thanks to a careful acquisitions strategy, the growth of the company has been rapid, and Lippert is now working to make its activities more efficient, especially in Europe, to translate its potential into high-quality solutions and products, greater operational efficiency, and an increasingly engaging user experience

Words Paolo Galvani

Lippert is an industrial organisation that, today, brings together over 140 production plants and sites dedicated to distribution scattered throughout North America, Africa and Europe.

Its growth in recent years has been dramatic, thanks to a careful acquisition policy that has expanded the scope of its activities. In our sector, it is known primarily for its solutions dedicated to recreational vehicles and prefabricated houses, but Lippert is actually involved in a much wider range of activities, including marine, buses, industrial vehicles and trains. In addition, there is its aftermarket activity dedicated to the caravan, automo- tive and marine industries.

A solid example: the problem was a support that was not effective in keeping the components in the correct position during assembly. This led to problems of ergonomics, quality, and compliance with production cycle times. The solution was to create quick fasteners with materials commonly found on the market: simple and effective, then used in other factories.

Such a large and varied range of activities, which have not grown organically, translate into great challenges as well as extraordinary opportunities. Lippert is, therefore, working to organise its activities better, especially in Europe, where the brand is much younger than in the United States, so it can translate its massive potential into high-quality solutions and products, greater operational efficiency, and an ever more engaging user experience.

This is achieved by the careful sharing of experience between production departments, by the launch of innovative products from the research & development departments, and from a complete revision of its multi-lingual website dedicated to end users and partners.

Just Fix It!

Lippert has launched an internal program called ‘Just Fix It’. This is a structured way to allow people who work in completely different production realities to share improvements that can have an impact on product quality, production efficiency, cost savings, or improvement of safety and working conditions.

Through its internal social platform, called ‘Lippert Life’, each employee or work team can illustrate their idea in a one-minute video to show how it has brought a benefit to internal processes, products, or the work environment.

“Especially in Europe, Lippert was born out of a series of small companies that came together under one umbrella,” explains Giovanni Casarini, Lean Manager of the Caravanning and Railway division for Italy and Tunisia.

“One of the main advantages of being part of a large group is having a lot of experience spread across our factories. With ‘Just Fix It’ we urge people who work with us to not hesitate to propose even minimal improvements, and to do

Meet Lippert

Lippert is not only about products and technology, but also a user experience worthy of the brand. For this reason, the company has decided to completely restructure its European website. The goal of the redesign was to put the end user at the centre, to allow them to have everything available to get to know the company, to find its solutions, and to learn more about its products.

The new Lippert website (www.lippertcomponents.eu) now highlights all the industries in which the company operates: caravanning, marine, rail, retail (which refers to the DoubleCool brand of Polyplastic), and Equestrian. In the Product section you can find all the Lippert offers divided by category, while in the Support section you can find the Dealer Locator and the so continuously. In this way, all the small improvements that everyone has made in their work place can be shared, instead of keeping it to themselves, with benefits that can be applied to different situations or in other parts of the world”.

An example of ‘Just Fix It’ includes the replacement a weld with an assembled reinforcement. With the same quality of the finished piece, the costs of a highly specialized operation such as welding have been saved. The assembled reinforcement can be made by anyone, as a skilled worker is not needed, and with this solution the risk of non-compliance is lower because it is much more difficult to damage the piece. There is, therefore, a saving of time, effort, and materials. “This is a symbolic case,” explains Casarini. “In itself, the concept of ‘Just Fix It’ is not so much the development of the page dedicated to the Platinum Circle Service Centre – the programme dedicated to Lippert partners. improvement that brings great profits in the face of large investments. Many of the ‘Just Fix It’ ideas are based on safety, without an immediate economic return, but of great corporate value.”

All Lippert employees and work teams can participate in the ‘Just Fix It’ programme, just as everyone can vote to choose the best practices. The winners get small gifts that stimulate active participation.

Innovation on doors and locks

If the process of sharing information and optimizing production processes are at the centre of the group’s internal strategies, the higher profile ones are the innovations that are frequently brought to the public and professionals. One of the main recent innovations is the new series of locks with twopoint locking that have been integrated into Lippert doors for some customers. In the future, the goal is to do this on all production and to also take advantage of the opportunity to restyle the doors. The new, two-point lock is available with and without an electric actuator, and consists of a catches and strikers locking system and a high-performance plastic activation disc. The product has passed strict quality and durability tests and is ECE R11 certified, while the external handle complies with the ECE R26 requirements for vehicle exterior parts. Thanks to a gasket that surrounds the external handle, the door lock assembly has achieved IPX5 waterproofing certification.

Ergonomics and functionality are also very important. Lippert has created a product with a simplified latch movement that helps prevent malfunctions, while the force required to open the door is the lowest on the market. Furthermore, even by applying improper twists or opening the door incorrectly, opening is always guaranteed. The locks are obviously customizable according to the customer’s needs.

“This is our first two-point lock developed entirely within the Lippert group as a consequence of integrating different small companies,” explains Emilio Gambineri, Director of Product Management Caravanning EMEA. “The division specializing in the processing of plastic components developed this lock in close communication with those who made the doors. It is therefore a synergistic product obtained from the collaboration between two compa- nies that were not previously within the same group. By exploiting internal skills, we have thus developed a component that we previously purchased from third parties”.

Safety first

Doors and locks are not the only area in which Lippert brings innovation. Safety, for example, is a fundamental element for recreational vehicles, both to protect the vehicle itself and the occupants.

The innovative Furrion Vision S line of cameras and wireless kits can eliminate blind spots during maneuvering and bring exterior-vehicle monitoring capabilities to RVs, trucks, specialty vehicles, trailers, and more. These systems

Refrigeration: 10 days are highly reliable, thanks to the use of a wireless digital signal that operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency, ensuring stability and also operating over long distances of up to 150 metres.

All the cameras offer sharp images, wide viewing angles and night vision, while the monitors are available in three sizes – 4.3, 5 and 7 inches – with the ability to display images from side, rear and/or side doors cameras. The smaller display only supports one camera, while the two larger ones can have up to four, shown individually or simultaneously.

A motion sensor makes the system activate automatically. The control monitor, available with both a suction cup and a table support (there is also the option of installing it on the wall), can be easily moved inside the motorhome or caravan habitation area, or even outside, as long as you have a 12 volt power supply. In this way, the situation outside the vehicle can be checked at any time. The image delay of the cameras is less than 0.2 seconds.

What has been discussed here is only a small part of what Lippert is undertaking to enrich its product portfolio and to increase efficiency and quality. It is on a path destined to lead the multinational to be increasingly prominent and successful in the caravanning sector, and beyond.

The Furrion eRove compressor cooler is one of the latest innovations from Lippert. Perfect for camping, boating, and all off-grid travel, it’s a high-tech solution to a problem that outdoor enthusiasts have always struggled with: keeping food and drinks safe and fresh without compromising time spent outdoors. With 46.1 litres capacity and best-inclass insulation technology, the eRove can keep ice from melting longer than any other device – up to 10 days. This means that eRove offers the best cooling performance available today. It is powered by 12V or 230V, and thanks to its optional rechargeable battery, the ePod - included in the Camping Pack and in the Adventure Pack kits, together with the trolley that allows for easier travel - guarantees up to 5 days of autonomy, even as a freezer.

The Adventure Pack includes a 100W photovoltaic module which allows it to be charged when there is no access to the electricity grid. This makes eRove one of the most versatile and effective portable compressor refrigerators on the market today.

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