Integrated cable and connection provider The Lapp Group, has entered a partnership in Australia with Hamilton-based ECS.
Headquartered in Germany and founded by Oskar Lapp (who invented the world's first industrially manufactured control cable in 1958) the company now has branches worldwide moving into Australia in February 2018 at a site in Eastern Creek, Sydney.
ECS NZ was founded in 1983 to design and manufacture automated machinery for a variety of sectors, including production systems for the dairy and construction industries. The company’s need for top-quality cables and products led it to LAPP and the company became New Zealand’s exclusive distributor, a sole proprietorship it has had for the past 30 years. The company also distributes Wieland Electric, MOXA Networking and ABB products.
ECS managing director Terry Rayner, who is now managing director of LAPP in both Australia and New Zealand with regional managers supporting him, says the partnership was a natural progression especially given that ECS ‘tends to punch above our weight given our market size here”.
Seven ECS staff who’s daily roles involve supporting the Australian operation with purchasing, accounts, IT, website and graphic design requirements recently attended the LAPP Australia inauguration party at the Sydney Opera House.
The gala event hosted by comedian, TV and radio personality Merrick Watts, featured a welcome to country by indigenous elder Allen Madden, speeches from the LAPP family, a speech from the Hon. Damien Tudehope, NSW Minister for Finance and Small Business, as well as entertainment from the Sydney Youth Orchestra and INXS cover band Don’t Change.
“The gala event was arranged to thank all our customers for their support through our first years in Australia, and show the LAPP family that Australia is a strong and expanding market where LAPP’s quality products and outstanding customer service are genuinely appreciated,” said Simon Pullinger, general manager, LAPP Australia.
“Since establishing [the Australian branch], our range of locally available LAPP products has risen to 1,800 locally stocked parts, as well as access through the LAPP Australia website to more than 20,000 products, from LAPP’s extensive global range, with real-time stock checking from global and local warehouses for fast delivery times,” said Pullinger.
The Lapp family is strong on social and community responsibility, which gala attendees found out first hand. During his address the Hon. Damien Tudehope made reference to the courage and dedication of the fire crews currently fighting Australia’s devastating fires. This information so moved Andreas Lapp that he made an immediate off the cuff donation to Rural Fire Service of AUD50,000. This lead from the top is indicative of LAPP, said Rayner.
