35 years of managing the LAPP Group – that’s a long time. What are your most formative memories?
Siegbert: I have always had the most fun building new plants – whether in Asia, America or Europe. There are some personal highlights where I was able to realize myself. At the very beginning of my career was the establishment of our cable plant in Forbach, France, in 1990. Those were very intense, but also fulfilling months. Thanks to the strong local team and numerous modernizations, Forbach is still the largest plant in the LAPP Group today.
I also think back very fondly to the construction and inauguration of our plant in Bangalore, India, in 1998 – a great city, which today is rightly called „India’s Silicon Valley“.
Andreas: And the inauguration in India was really an experience – very visual, with the traditional Hindu customs and dances. I was already a fan of India before, but the experiences I had during these months definitely increased my enthusiasm! I also have fond memories of many different celebrations and events: spending time with our employees and customers around the world has always been a great pleasure.
Another very important milestone for LAPP was the 2016/17 fiscal year: Here we cracked one billion euros in sales for the first time! A huge success, which we of course duly celebrated. In 2016, Barack Obama also visited our stand at the Hannover Messe together with Angela Merkel and we had the opportunity to present our solutions to him. And these are just a few examples – after 35 years, there are more formative memories than I can list here.
How did you come to the decision to retire from the company now?
Siegbert: Andreas and I have always been aware that it is our task and privilege to manage LAPP in a fiduciary capacity – always with the aim of handing over a healthy company to the next generation. And after thorough preparation, now is the right time to do so. But the truth is also that our time at the helm of LAPP was very successful and fulfilling, but of course also demanding. A lot of responsibility, a lot of travel and everything that goes with such an entrepreneurial life. Now we are looking forward to taking it easy in retirement.
Andreas: In recent decades, globalization has swept over our world like a wave and has brought about many good things. LAPP has been riding this wave of international networking. But times are changing, there are new challenges and opportunities for our company. We have all felt the risks of global, closely timed supply chains firsthand. Megatrends such as digitalization and sustainability are shaping the economy, and no company can escape them. We are certain: These tasks are in the best hands with our children.
What are your hopes and expectations for the third generation?
Siegbert: The ways and means change, but our goal always remains the same: to make our customers happy! This complete customer orientation was already the top maxim of our parents, Oskar and Ursula Ida Lapp, and my wish for Matthias and Katharina is that they carry this vision in their hearts. That they continue to develop the LAPP Group and lead it courageously into the future. That they continue to develop new business models and fields, and that they always find innovative solutions to the problems of our customers.
Andreas: And I expect them to succeed! Matthias and Katharina grew up with the company, were already at events as little tots and gained their first professional experience early on during vacation work and internships. LAPP is part of their DNA, they have been preparing for these jobs all their lives and have proven that they are ready. They have everything they need to be successful.
What would you like to pass on to your children?
Andreas: There are a few things that our parents Oskar and Ursula already suggested to us. For one thing: Value people – employees, but also customers and suppliers! Second: Carry our strong brands into the future! There are thousands of cable manufacturers, but LAPP, our quality standards and service only exist once. And last but not least: Do everything to make it easy for the customers, offer them everything they need – keyword „One-Stop-Shop“.
Siegbert: And very important: Be innovative! Think big, always look beyond the end of your nose and trust in yourselves and your abilities. Trust in your teams, too: You have big tasks ahead of you, but you also have outstanding people at your side – on the Board of Management, the Supervisory Board and throughout the Group. In the same way, I want you to know that you can always count on Andreas and me as mentors, and Alexander will also be helping to lead the Group again in the foreseeable future.
What are you particularly looking forward to in the coming period?
Andreas: First and foremost, I’m looking forward to spending time with my children and, as a mentor, passing on one or two parts of my wealth of experience to the third generation. And as many people know, in addition to the subcontinent of India, the continent of Africa is also very close to my heart – this is where I would like to continue my involvement. In the future, I will be able to spend more time on projects close to my heart, such as my honorary post as Honorary Consul for the Republic of India or the Collège Andreas Lapp, a school on the Ivory Coast.
Siegbert: I want to enjoy the next years as much as possible – and I will definitely not get bored: I’m a diver, I love riding my motorcycle and I’m looking forward to great trips together with my wife. I’m sure we will also visit one or the other LAPP location – because of course Andreas and I will remain closely connected to the company in the future.
Video: © LAPP: Generation transition at LAPP
