LAPP celebrates three decades in India as the country emerges as its largest market after Germany
LAPP, global leader in cable and connectivity
solutions, has celebrated 30 years of operations in India recently. For the
family-owned company headquartered in Germany, this marks the culmination of a
long journey that grew India into LAPP's largest market after its home country.
LAPP's commitment to India began at a time when much
of the global business community was directing its attention to other markets
in Asia. Guided by the conviction of founder Ursula Ida Lapp and her sons
Siegbert and Andreas, LAPP recognized India's long-term potential early.
“When my grandmother, my father and my uncle came to
India in the 1980s, they saw something that many others overlooked”, says Matthias Lapp, third-generation CEO of LAPP
Group. “At the time, most westerners had a very shallow impression of
India, seeing mostly hardships and
challenges. My family saw something different. They saw the energy of the
people, the richness of India's culture, the democratic institutions, and the
extraordinary economic potential. They chose to invest in the country’s future.”
After working with local partners for several years,
LAPP established its India headquarters in Bangalore in 1996. The first cable
production opened in 1998 in the close-by Jigani industrial area.
Since, LAPP has continuously invested in local
manufacturing and talent development. With three manufacturing facilities,
three warehouses, two harnessing plants, and nine regional sales offices,
operations span the entire country. Most recently, the company expanded its
plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, which has become the largest manufacturing
facility in LAPP’s global production network. India houses some of LAPP's most
advanced manufacturing capabilities worldwide.
“Localisation is
important”, says Matthias
Lapp. “We develop and manufacture in India for the Indian
market. At the same time, we draw on the LAPP Group’s global network: product
managers in Germany work alongside materials experts in Switzerland and Indian
engineers to develop the best possible solutions for our customers.”
As a result, LAPP India has evolved into one of the
country's leading cable and connectivity providers, employing about 500 people
today. They serve customers across industrial automation, manufacturing,
infrastructure, rail, renewable energy, oil and gas, food and beverage,
e-mobility and many other sectors.
Matthias Lapp: "India
combines strong economic growth, rapid industrialization, infrastructure
development, and energy transition. These megatrends closely align with the
industries LAPP serves. And that is exactly why India will continue to play a
central role in our global growth strategy. Not merely as a manufacturing base,
but as a core strategic market.”
The relationship between the Lapp family and India
extends far beyond business. Even in his childhood, Matthias Lapp travelled the
country during regular family vacations. Former CEO Andreas Lapp serves as
Honorary Consul of the Republic of India in two German states since 2000. He
also hosts the annual "Stuttgart meets Mumbai Wine Fest", which has
become a pillar of Indo-German dialogue.
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