Lapp India : Partnering success through technology innovation
Mr. Marc Jarrault, Managing Director, Lapp India
Q. Please brief us about company’s Indian & global infrastructure?
Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, the Lapp Group is a leading supplier of integrated solutions and branded products in the field of cable and connection technology. The Group’s portfolio includes standard and highly flexible cables, industrial connectors and screw technology, customized system solutions, automation technology and robotics solutions for the intelligent factory of the future, as well as technical accessories. The Lapp Group’s core market is in the industrial machinery and plant engineering sector. Other key markets are in the food industry as well as the energy and the mobility sector.
Lapp currently employs approximately 3,200 people across the world, has 18 production sites and over 40 sales companies. It also works in cooperation with around 100 foreign representatives. The Lapp Group combines the structure of a global network of companies with the distinctive strengths of a family company.Lapp India is a 100% subsidiary of the LAPP GROUP which manufactures Cables, Connectors, Cable Glands, Conduits and Accessories. We are the pioneers in introducing the concept of “Total solutions in Electrical Connectivity” in India, with an unbeatable range of products. Lapp India started its India operations in 1996 with a manufacturing unit in Jigani, Bangalore.
Today, our Bangalore manufacturing unit is the third largest manufacturing facility of the Lapp Group, producing about 100,000 km of ÖLFLEX® connecting and control cables and insulated single cores each year. We have successfully completed the set-up of the Phase 1 of our second Indian manufacturing facility in Pilukhedi, Bhopal and currently it is operational. It has an existing capacity of 1,000 kms of single core cables daily, catering mainly to the Building Segment. We have grown to over 250 employees company and adding more to the LAPP family. Lapp India operates through 4 regional marketing units in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, , Bangalore and – with 23 sales offices and a strong network of 100+ dealers throughout the country.
Lapp India Head Office
Q. Please also highlight the latest initiatives in your industry domain?
As far as the electrical cables space in India is concerned, higher efficiency and productivity has been witnessed in the businesses. There is a strong focus on value engineering and quality product development. We are looking at offering customers high performance, quality cabling solutions to help them meet their manufacturing output and improve efficiency.
We are working by example, by implementing Lapp Operating System. (LOS) a global initiative taken by the parent company to enhance efficiency of operations in all its manufacturing plants and sales organisations of which India is a significant contributor. This methodology will enable the enterprises to manufacture products and services for the customers within shortest time, by eliminating redundant activities involved in manufacturing and support functions.
The Lapp Group has always backed patronizing research and development, Our R&D and Innovation centers back in Europe have been developing new compounds, deploying new raw materials and are looking at generating more efficient and advanced ways of transmitting energy. We are reorienting our business to diverse sectors to understand and cater to the customized needs Additionally, Lapp India’s focus is also on supplying innovative end-to-end harnessing solutions to give a constant value add to the services.
Q. What are the market opportunities for your company’s products in India?
We are a very strong brand. Lapp products are well recognized overseas, especially in Europe for the excellent German quality. As a manufacturer, we have acquired rich skills and knowledge on the cables sector which we have been successful in passing over to Lapp India as well. Lapp India has a premium perception, which is unique when compared to our competitors. Our products have defined the benchmark for safety, standards, product quality in the market.for unbeaten German quality in the local market.
Among customers as well as non customers Lapp India is being perceived as a high value brand. The cables that goes into various industries such as automotive, automation, pharma, projects etc.. requires being complaint to strict standards and should stand for quality and Lapp India definitely ranks high when it comes these attributes. Hence our esteemed consumers trust Lapp India, and are able to derive value for the amount they have paid.
Q. What is future prospect for your industry?
With the new Government we expect more new projects being undertaken, higher investment being pumped to develop and expand infrastructure which will help in fuelling the industry growth. The IEEMA Mission Plan 2012-2022 gives a good overview of the future of the industry. As stated by IEEMA there is immense scope for the Indian electrical products market to boost its exports. The global electricity equipments market stands at around $450 billion USD of which India’s share is barely $4 billion USD which is less than 1 per cent. As far as the cables industry is concerned, we can expect the market to grow between 5-10% in the next 2-3 years. However, I do hope that if the country is successful in improving the infrastructure facilities, the domestic cable industry will definitely witness an aggressive growth in the coming years.
Lapp India is definitely optimistic about the performance of the industry in the coming years. There is an increased growth in awareness in the market to differentiate between quality product and counterfeit products. Improved lifestyle affluence, demand for improved quality, better designed products and understanding of safety standards has made the customer expectations very clear.
Lapp India Quality
Q. Is there any plans for expansion & new investment in terms of product development or new technology adoption to cater the demand of the industry?
Further, expanding our operations in India has been a key focus for us, mainly due to promising growth opportunities presented by the country. We are closely observing the sector, be it rail, mining, telecom energy, utility, on the basis of which we are developing or procuring products that can serve the needs of respective sectors. Also we are increasing capacity to focus on verticals like renewable (solar and wind), Building Connectivity Solutions and instrumentation cables for process industries.
With the Government granting licenses for lot of megawatt of solar energy and with various states across India exploring deployment of solar power plants, there is a lot of potential for LAPP INDIA in the country. Further, with attractive subsidies for solar energy from the Indian Government, we expect a significant rise in business from this sector. We expect significant business from installations in India’s solar sector, mainly since cables form a critical component of solar panels and modules Compound research has occupied the most integral area of focus when it comes to developing new technologies. Developing compounds that are capable of surviving extreme conditions, last longer, compounds that are easily available, reusable, cheaper is of utmost importance to our research and development unit. We believe in delivering high efficiency in customer service.
We launched Experience Centre showcasing extensive range of products that Lapp India offers to help cater to 8 different industry verticals – Machine Tools, Automation, Automotive, Public Sector, Buildings, Projects business, Renewable Energy and Process, providing customers an opportunity to touch and feel the entire product portfolio enables us to enhance our customer buying experience. Lapp India has a strong focus on creating a wide retail presence in the building and panel building segment, hence we are appointing new retailers and distributors to achieve the milestone.
Q. What is the top line product range & Is there any plans to launch new products?
Lapp has a vast range of around 40,000 products which includes glands and connectors so that it is not just about cables but everything around them too. A pioneer in the concept of “Total solutions in electrical connectivity” in India we have an unbeatable range of products. Lapp India caters to manufacturing cables to address a variety of connectivity requirements for a number of verticals including – wind, solar, automation, automobile, building connectivity, machine tool, process, solar, and even the public sector.
A few of our flagship products are:
ÖLFLEX®, universal cable used in control applications – besides being the first multi core cable to be manufactured in the world, these cables are suitable for 3 axis rotation applications and also for applications with very high linear bending stress. ÖLFLEX®, FD cables can resist 8-10 million bending cycles of operation. ÖLFLEX® cables are the only choice when it comes to machine tool applications as these are oil and chemical resistant. Just to add on, this world renowned cable recently celebrated 50 great years of success.
UNITRONIC®, data transmission devices – is highly effective in avoiding leakage of signals during Data Transmission. This is achieved by using tinned copper braiding as a screening material against EMI interference. This is the brand of choice if you want fast, safe and forward-thinking solutions for transferring data. The range includes data cables for all electronic applications, from tiny cables in coffee machines to those transferring huge amounts of data in supercomputers.
HITRONIC® fibre optic cables are designed to transfer large volumes of data. Communications media via fibre optics are fast, efficient, and secure. Not even electromagnetic interference can affect HITRONIC® fibre optic cable. The HITRONIC® range of products includes cables for office communications, industrial applications, simplex, duplex, hybrid wiring, or cable chain applications.
ETHERLINE® Ethernet technology-based networks are playing an increasingly important role. We therefore offer reliable system solutions for network technology. The range includes products, software solutions and services for total security and availability.
SKINTOP® cable glands guarantee secure connections every time. Simply thread the cable and twist. That’s all! Your cables are perfectly centered, secured, hermetically sealed, and ready for action. Choose from a wide range of models in plastic or brass, for EX and EMC applications, halogen-free types or anti-kink protection, metric, PG or NPT. EPIC® connectors – are used in multiple terminations (no. of wires to be connected), can effectively withstand harsh and dusty environment. It can take up to 216 pins in one connector and has a configuration range of 4 -216 pins. You will find EPIC® rectangular or circular connectors in any machine and plant engineering or drive technology application used for measuring, control, regulation or drive. It is a flexible system consisting of casings, inserts, contacts and accessories which is perfectly suited to any requirement.
SILVYN® conduit and SKINTOP® gland – This universal range completely protects cables against dust, moisture and technical, thermal or chemical exposure. They are specially designed to suit underwater pressures at 5 bar with no seepage upto 50 meters below surface level. Further they are made of polyamide which is crush resistant, flame retardant and halogen free. In many applications cables have to be additionally protected against mechanical and chemical stress. For this type of application, Lapp Group can supply the universal SILVYN® protective cable conduit program. Cable conduits manufactured from metal or plastic material, which can be used with matching glands to form a perfect system connection. The complete system results in all round protection for cables in indoor and outdoor installations. With SILVYN® CHAIN, Lapp Group’s widely variable programme of power chains we offer both cable protection and guidance for highly dynamic applications.
FLEXIMARK® These sophisticated systems facilitate durable cable marking and ensure everything is clear and quick to identify. From simple inscriptions, to labelling and marking solutions for manual marking right through to FL SOFT software for electronic recognition, this range can meet your every need. This variant is suitable for a variety of applications for cable and individual core marking and control cabinet markings. It is available in a plastic or stainless steel finish. Additionally, it is also suitable for environments under chemical, thermal or mechanical stress. Significant quality of these systems is that they are transparent, elastic or halogen-free.
Our aim has been to further strengthen our position in the control cables segment and penetrate deeper into the market establishing a stronger brand image in the industry. We are strengthening our base in the single core wires segment as well to cater efficiently to growing customer demands in India. Our current focus is to establish the single core business for the building segment and control cabinet application. Lapp Group, recently added the latest innovation to its ÖLFLEX® brand: the ÖLFLEX® HEAT 125 SC the multitalented single core which not only has a broad temperature range, but also meets the most stringent fire protection requirements owing to its certified high flame retardance and low toxicity in case of fire.
Additionally, we have also added the EPIC® SOLAR PL008 and EPIC® SOLAR AL008 to applicable to the photovoltaic plants to our wide range of solutions for solar industry. Our aim has been to further strengthen our position in the control cables segment and penetrate deeper into the market establishing a stronger brand image in the industry. We are strengthening our base in the single core wires segment as well to cater efficiently to growing customer demands in India. Our current focus is to establish the single core business for the building segment and control cabinet application.
Q. What is your vision for your company?
Internationally, our long term goal is to double our size by 2020. And our global vision is to dominate the control cable business and lead the Indian market as the number one player in the control cables segment.
