Lippert Components Inc. (LCI) has set up their first ever UK subsidiary, called LCI Industries UK. Based at Warrington, in Cheshire, it will act as a distribution centre for Lippert products. This move is a reflection of the ever increasing demand for slide out systems for campers and RVs throughout Europe, in which Lippert is a market leader.
Caravan holidays and caravan ownership are becoming ever more popular. According to the UK National Caravan Council, it is a £6 billion pound industry. 2017 saw a 7.1% increase in the sale of new caravans and RV’s compared to the previous year, bringing the total number of vehicles on the road to around 555,00 touring caravans and 225,000 motorhomes. Visit England has estimated that around 50 million nights are now spent in caravans within the United Kingdom every year.
In view of this increasing caravan useage, people are looking for greater comfort and versatility in their vehicles. More space is regarded as highly desirable, especially if travelling with a family or disabled persons who need extra facilities for wheelchairs. As a result, slide out options are attracting considerable attention at every motorhome show in the UK or on the continent. The advantages are clear – it helps manufacturers place customers' requirements first, without having to compromise on interior design. It also offers scope for more space, yet remains within the constraints of vehicle size for the roads being used especially when it comes to the narrow, winding streets common in many country areas.
"Mercedes-Benz Equinox S van in European market with slide out system installed, quality work done by Lippert Components"
“Slide out systems of all kinds have been available in the UK for several years,” says Jarod Lippert, VP of Marketing & Public Relations. “We see LCI UK as a gateway for US products as the need arises. LCI is the largest manufacturer of this technology in the world with over 15,000 systems sold per week. We are also introducing several types of leveling and stabilizing systems for motorhomes, campers and caravans this year.”
Furthermore, in the US Lippert supplies over $2 billion worth of OE parts and accessories; most of these are available through LCI UK. Many products such as doors, steps, bed lifts and some slide outs will be manufactured in Italy and most of the others come from the US. “The exceptions are the products that may develop from our recent acquisition of Trend Marine in Norfolk, UK. Trend is primarily a supplier to the super yacht market but there are some items that will crossover to the motorhome [or RV] industry,” reports Jarod.
Customising caravans by adding a variety of accessories is popular, giving the caravans extra personal touches to suit individual taste. Accessories such as the Slide Out brolly are much sought after by keen caravanners. The brolly is particularly ideal to the UK with its very variable weather conditions which can include heavy rain even in the summer.
LCI believes that the new subsidiary will prove beneficial to Lippert customers on this side of the Atlantic pointing to the vast product assortment that is available, as well as the fact that the Warrington depot will provide a faster delivery time. It will also provide on-site training and technical support for UK customers. This will provide added customer service and quicker access to Lippert products.
“One of the many unique aspects of Lippert Components is that we are able to review the application that a manufacturer presents and then recommend a solution that fits that application. We have been designing and building slide out systems for 20 years and we have the most experienced people in the world supporting these designs, so when a company says describe the slide out system, we would ask ‘what experience are you trying to create for the consumer?” One way to categorise the systems would be how they interface with the caravan or motorhome. In other words, do they mount to the side wall, to the room, to the floor or to the chassis. Another way would be to describe how they are powered; manually, electrical or hydraulically. We do them all and within each category, there are many unique designs,” comments Jarod Lippert.
He continues, “LCI is in markets all around the world and no two markets are exactly the same. This is why we employ local people for local contact. In the UK, for example, the difference begins with the way caravans and motorhomes are used; the climate is rather unique, and the cultural differences cause the designs and expectations to be unlike any other. The one common denominator is that people like to travel simply (this usually means smaller, easy to handle) but have comfortable space when they stop. Which is why the concept of “space on demand” makes the slide out technology so appealing.”
Further expansion is likely in due course. Lippert says, “LCI continues to look for partners that share the same values and support customers with the same enthusiasm as with our current companies. When the opportunity is right, we will continue to expand through acquisition, partnership and greenfield development. Our companies in Italy (Project 2000, Metallarte, RV Doors and ST.LA) are already manufacturing and distributing these products in Europe.”
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