Many people think of cables first when they think of LAPP. However, LAPP played a pioneering role in the field of connectors around 60 years ago. How did this business area come about?
It is obvious that some people primarily associate LAPP with cables. After all, cables are an essential part of our core business. The invention of ÖLFLEX®, the first industrial control cable, laid the foundation for today’s globally active group of companies and underlines this perception. At the same time, every cable needs a suitable interface, and this is where another important part of our portfolio comes in. We think of connection technology as a system: the cable is important, but it is the right connector that completes the application. That is why the connector business is a separate focus at LAPP.
Historically, this goes back to the beginnings of the company: in addition to ÖLFLEX®, Oskar Lapp also invented the first industrial rectangular connector. The connector business did not arise as a by-product of the cable, but from a need in industrial practice. Added to this was the inventive personality of Oskar Lapp, who thought of cables and connectors together from the very beginning. This early pioneering work continues to have an impact today – and explains why connectors are an integral part of our development.
LAPP thus combines two major areas of expertise under one roof: cables and connectors. How do your strategy and products differ from the competition?
LAPP does not think of connectivity technology as individual components, but as a holistic system. We are experts in cables, connectors, active network components and remote I/O technology. This means we cover large parts of the automation pyramid. For many applications, this means that the crucial interface is created in-house.
Our advantage is that we are equally proficient in cables and connectors. We know how a cable behaves under mechanical load and how a connector works electrically and thermally. This combination means that we can offer our customers a complete solution.
Our advantage is that we are equally proficient in cables and connectors. We know how a cable behaves under mechanical load and how a connector works electrically and thermally. This combination is rare in the market. As a result, we understand interfaces better than manufacturers who usually only cover one part and can look at connectivity solutions as a whole – from the sensor to the control cabinet.
In this way, we have evolved from a component supplier to a system provider. We work closely with machine builders and motor manufacturers to develop customised solutions for their individual requirements. Last but not least, this enables us to pass on technical innovations directly in both directions – from cable to connector and vice versa.
What specific added value does this dual expertise offer your customers?
Development becomes easier and safer for our customers. When cable and connector expertise are under one roof, interfaces can be skilfully optimised: mechanically, electrically and in cable management. Our teams then work together to develop a coherent solution instead of assembling two products later on. This shortens development times, reduces assembly costs and increases operational reliability. Added to this is our vertical range of manufacture. With LAPP Harnessing Solutions, we offer complete, customised systems, including cables, connectors, EMC concepts, labelling and quality testing. So, if you want, you can get not just individual parts, but a pre-assembled, tested connection system from a single source. For our customers, this means less work in design and procurement, as well as fewer sources of error in assembly. When connectors and cables come from a single source, this reduces errors, effort and costs.
Are there any examples where this combination of cable and connector expertise was crucial?
Yes, a machine tool manufacturer was looking for a compact solution for power, signal, data and pneumatics. Based on our modular EPIC® rectangular connector system, we developed a customisable connector that combines all the required features: less installation space, less assembly effort, higher system reliability.
Another example comes from the hygiene sector. The customer was looking for an easy-to-clean alternative to the classic cable chain, which often poses a challenge during cleaning due to its corners and edges. For this application, we developed a chain-free cable management system from ÖLFLEX®. A flat cable with an extruded support element limits movement so that it only bends in one direction – similar to a cable chain, but completely smooth and without edges or cavities. This makes the system hygienic to clean and requires less space in the installation area. At the same time, we designed a suitable connector that absorbs this movement and remains mechanically stable. This combination of cable and connector expertise has resulted not only in a new product solution, but also in a completely new concept of cable management. The solution has now been patented and is being tested in several pilot applications. Solutions like this can only be developed when cable and connector development work hand in hand. And that is the case at LAPP.
You have expanded your portfolio with the acquisition of a Chinese circular connector manufacturer. What were the decisive reasons behind the acquisition – and what role does China play in this?
The move had one main goal: we wanted to further expand our expertise in the field of sensor-actuator connectors. The focus was on two widely used standard products, EPIC® M8 and EPIC® M12. The Asian region is a leader in combining efficiency and quality in manufacturing, especially in overmoulding. In addition, the extensive portfolio and high level of engineering expertise in the field of circular connectors perfectly complement our range of industrial connectors. The merger will provide us with additional know-how and expand our research and development capabilities, our manufacturing capacities and our technical sales network in China and the Asia-Pacific region.
Are further acquisitions possible in the future?
At LAPP, we develop as much as possible in-house. We specifically examine acquisitions if they enable us to enter strategic markets more quickly or more broadly. The decisive factor is that the acquisitions complement our technology and solution portfolio in a meaningful way and expand our expertise globally. Our goal is to offer our customers the greatest added value as a full-service system supplier – worldwide.
What developments are currently driving the connector business the most?
The market is currently reorienting itself. After years of growth, many companies are looking for new ideas and, at the same time, more efficient solutions. Short development cycles, modular systems and sustainable product strategies are therefore in demand. We are seeing a clear trend towards ‘design-in’: this means that customers do not want off-the-shelf products, but specific solutions that fit into their overall system. One example of this is our new EPIC® M23 connector: we have redesigned it with the application in mind, with better workmanship, higher dielectric strength and a simplified modular system. Overall, the trend is clearly towards making existing systems even better, more flexible and more economical. Or, as we say at home in Bavaria: today more than ever, the “jack of all trades” is in demand
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important at LAPP. What specific impact does this have on the connector business – today and in the future?
That’s right, sustainability is playing an increasingly important role at LAPP overall. And precisely because we understand connection technology holistically, we also consider the use of resources in the connector business. For example, a new version of our EPIC® H-Q rectangular connector consists of 43 per cent renewable raw materials. This reduces the proportion of fossil raw materials without compromising technical performance and quality. At the same time, we are reducing the number of individual components through modular systems, which saves resources, simplifies logistics and reduces costs. This also shows what is important to us at LAPP: sustainability and economic efficiency are not mutually exclusive – on the contrary, they complement each other.
LAPP is now in its third generation of management and sees itself as a family business with a sense of responsibility. Looking into the crystal ball, what role should these values play in the connector business in the future – and what would you like customers and partners to associate with the LAPP name?
As a family business, we think long-term and do not have to meet short-term return targets. Instead, we invest strategically in future technologies, such as high-voltage connectors with a dielektric strength of up to 1000 volts. Today, they are still niche products, but tomorrow they could already be standard. One example from the cable sector is the ÖLFLEX® hybrid cable with zeroCM® technology, which combines power and control cables in a single solution. In a few years, this could become indispensable. This foresight sets us apart from other companies. Decisions are made more quickly, distances are shorter, and cooperation is more accessible. This creates trust both internally and externally and gives us the freedom to pursue even unconventional ideas.
It is precisely this attitude that will continue to shape our business in the coming years. We want to combine technical excellence with responsible action and offer our customers holistic connectivity solutions that are convincing in the long term. Our goal will be achieved when LAPP is perceived internationally as a reliable system partner that brings together innovation and responsibility.
Thank you very much for talking to us!