History
Introduction & The Beginnings
"From QuickLock fastener to Europe-wide standard: Find out how Kurt Linnepe revolutionised the world of vehicle supports in 1969."
It all began in Gevelsberg in April 1969. With the founding of Kurt Linnepe Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH, company founder Kurt Linnepe set a milestone for an industry that was still in its infancy at the time. Initially, the young company concentrated on specialised support systems for caravans and presentation vehicles. But the real breakthrough was not long in coming: at the beginning of the 1970s, the innovative quick-release fastener - now known worldwide as QuickLock - revolutionised the market for vehicle supports. This development was so successful that the QuickLift support became probably the most widely used vehicle support on the entire European motorhome market by the late 1990s.
Partnerships
Partnerships & technical milestones
In the 1970s, the caravanning world was still small and closely networked. At the legendary DCC club meetings, two visionaries met whose collaboration would have a lasting impact on the industry: Kurt Linnepe and Erwin Hymer. It quickly became clear that their expertise complemented each other perfectly. While Hymer built the vehicles, Linnepe supplied the customised technical solutions. In the 1980s, Kurt Linnepe developed the first underride guard for motorhomes, which could even be converted into a towbar. This inventive spirit laid the foundation for deep partnerships with renowned manufacturers, which still form the basis of our success today.
Innovation
Safety through innovation
“True safety comes from experience. Read how, together with partners such as Hymer and ContiTech, we have redefined ride comfort for motorhomes.”
Spurred on by the boom of the 1980s
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Linnepe expanded its focus to include driving safety. In close cooperation with ContiTech, the first auxiliary air suspension for the Fiat Ducato was developed – a system that took ride comfort to a whole new level. Even today, ContiTech manufactures these exclusive air bellows bearing the Linnepe logo in accordance with our strict specifications. But Linnepe kept thinking ahead: In 1982, we presented the first central-tube chassis with an air-suspended rear axle and optimised weight distribution. We proved that we are also pioneers in electronics and safety as early as 1999 with the first anaesthetic gas alarm. Today’s TriGas Alarm is the direct successor to this pioneering work and is now one of the leading safety systems across Europe.
Linnepe today
Tradition meets modernity
“Tradition that moves. Discover the story behind the Linnepe brand and find out why we are regarded today as an innovative think tank for mobile freedom.”
Over the decades
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Linnepe has developed from a small workshop into a modern, innovative think tank. Today’s product portfolio reflects this evolution and offers solutions for motorhomes, commercial vehicles, as well as for industry and trade. Whether state-of-the-art load carriers, hydraulic levelling jacks or intelligent gas detectors – for over 50 years, the name Linnepe has stood for uncompromising “Made in Germany” quality. Shaped by the Linnepe family, this long-established company is now led by a young, dynamic team that combines the values of its early days with the technologies of tomorrow.