Lippert’s Jim Menefee has been promoted to group president over the company’s European operations.
Menefee was hired in 2016 as a regional operations manager, and most recently held the VP of operations position in Europe.
In his new role, the company said he will oversee all operational decisions in Lippert’s European RV, marine and railway divisions based in Italy, Ireland and the Netherlands, along with segments in the United Kingdom, India and Africa.
“Europe is becoming an increasingly important part of Lippert’s overall growth strategy, and we are excited that Jim is guiding the company into these new markets,” President and CEO Jason Lippert said. “As we embark on the next chapter of growth for Lippert, Europe, and all regions outside of North America for that matter, will be a key part of our diversification strategy.”
Lippert’s international divisions service customers in North America, Europe, Australia, China and the Middle East, the company stated. Lippert has more than 1,400 team members within the divisions and produces annual sales reaching $230 million.
Menefee spent the last several years in Europe developing new business with Lippert’s Caravan divisions and opened new railway operations in Italy and India. The new railway operations expanded the company’s rolling stock window and rail interior businesses.
“Jim’s prior international business and manufacturing experience are great assets for Lippert,” Jason Lippert said. “He is a phenomenal leader and has highly effective business unit CEOs in each of the three markets, which make implementation of our synergies, continuous improvement, and leadership and culture initiatives easier as we work toward building great European component supply businesses.”
Menefee also led the company in seven strategic acquisitions in Europe the past three years, Lippert stated, and he will continue to lead the company’s mergers and acquisitions strategy going forward.
“I am excited to see the growth that our European teams have been experiencing,” Menefee said. “Over the past several years, the European leadership teams have been focusing on building great teams and a great culture within our caravan, rail and marine divisions in Europe. I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to grow this part of Lippert’s business and to help our teams learn, grow and most importantly, take care of our company family. This is what sets Lippert’s culture apart from the rest.”
