memories on the move Niesmann + Bischoff

MEMoRIES on THE MovE

Much-loved motorhome brand Niesmann + Bischoff is justifiably proud of its high quality and finishing that is unrivalled in the luxury motorhome market. Emma-Jane Batey spoke to export manager Cécile Rouesné to learn more.

Luxury motorhome specialist Niesmann + Bischoff has been steadily growing, developing and expanding since it was first established in Germany in 1955. With brothers Elfriede and Hugo Niesmann initially focused on their successful travel agency, they gradually added high-end caravans to their offer, launching their first motorhome in 1981. This was the Clou, which has continued to be a much-loved part of the ever-growing Niesmann + Bischoff portfolio.

The tagline ‘What would you like to experience today?’ is a smart summary of the Niesmann + Bischoff approach – an adventurous spirit that is clearly evident in everything it creates. Export manager Cécile Rouesné told Industry Europe, “Niesmann + Bischoff is specialised in the luxury motorhome market. What makes our products unique is their innovative automotive design and first-class workmanship. We combine the finest craftsmanship with real flair, which together enable us to create the most comfortable motorhomes on the road.”

The heart of adventures

A subsidiary of the Erwin Hymer Group since 1996, Niesmann + Bischoff is located in Polch, Germany, which is just one hour from Frankfurt. Ms Rouesné said, “We have one plant which is the very

heart of our business. Both our headquarters and our production are based here and we have around 250 employees. In the last four years we have actually increased our production capacity by 50 per cent, but our intention is not to grow too quickly to ensure that we maintain our famous high quality and finishing.”

The focus of Niesmann + Bischoff has long been to keep creating ‘surprisingly clever features for lovers of luxury motorhomes’, and this aim is clearly evident in its new launches and upgrades. Ms Rouesné explained, “Our recent highlights include the development of a new safety concept on the IVECO 7 t. chassis and also our unique low profile model called ‘SMOVE’, which is a combination of the words ‘smart’ and ‘move’. We developed the SMOVE over three years and we are proud to say it is uncompromisingly sporty. It has all the features of a big motorhome but with the sporty dynamics of a car, making it compact enough for city trips and ideal for couples that love an adventure.”

Ready to SmoVe

The SMOVE certainly reflects Niesmann + Bischoff’s ongoing goal to ensure its customers feel fully at home on the road and can travel in maximum comfort. Ms Rouesné added, “We have a constant flow of new ideas that are dedicated to promoting and preserving the best possible travelling experience for our customers. Our target customers are from a very broad age range, from 45 to 70, but they all certainly have one thing in common; they appreciate comfort, high quality and design. Our customers are active and often retired people, but can also be people that use their motorhome as a professional base, including high level sportsmen, racing drivers and pop stars...this variety highlights the incredible capability and potential of a Niesmann + Bischoff motorhome, with the attractive lines and carefully thought-out features all combining to offer the best of life on the road.”

Well known across the luxury motorhome community, Niesmann + Bischoff’s most important markets are its domestic German market, followed by France, United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Benelux. Ms Rouesné explained how France’s appreciation of design makes it a good fit and that Scandinavia’s cold winters make it ideally suited to Niesmann + Bischoff’s vehicles thanks to their ‘winter resistant construction’. She added, “We like to say that Niesmann + Bischoff is with you wherever your journey takes you. Having been so carefully crafted to suit the very exacting needs of our customers, we know that our luxury motorhomes are the ideal travelling companion. The driving is great and the comfort is second-to-none, whether you’re sleeping after a long day’s adventures or stopping for a break to take in your beautiful surroundings.”

Adding extra

As Niesmann + Bischoff continues to develop and enhance its highly-respected offer of luxury motorhomes, working alongside its new supplier Estepe (www.estepe.nl) it is also pleased to announce that it has integrated airbags, pedal release systems and seatbelt tensioners in its Flair models and is also the sole manufacturer in the industry to be able to offer the airbag in the IVECO 7 t. chassis. Ms Rouesné concluded, “It’s wonderful to play such an important part in our customers’ happy life adventures. Niesmann + Bischoff is with them every mile of their journey, making them more comfortable and helping to create memories.”