Back in the 1950s, the “Sauerland" was already a popular holiday destination. Including for two men from Warendorf who regularly spent their holidays there, motor biking, paddle boating and camping. One exceptionally rainy night as the water streamed through their tent, Austermann the designer and Hartmann the coachbuilder had an idea: they devised, designed, drew – and finally developed – their first caravan: the Falter I..
The question of who would own the rights to the design was resolved randomly by playing a game. After the game, the Falter I was renamed the Hartmann. That was in 1952. As Mr Austermann wanted to have his own motorhome, however, he quickly built one for himself. Which led to the creation of the legendary "Knospe" in 1955. Due to the strong demand, he started production of the "Knospe" and manufactured it in various designs with 15 employees until the mid-1960s.
In 1966, Wilhelm Saure from Herdecke acquired Austermann in Sassenberg, which had since enjoyed success with its legendary Knospe. “Wilhelm Saure KG” was founded. Until 1970, the expansion of operations on Drostenstraße in Sassenberg resulted in further growth.
Due to the rapid growth in orders until 1974, much of the production was handled in cooperation with Karmann in Rheine. Model ranges: Lord, Münsterland. In 1976, the 10,000th caravan leaves production. In 1978, additional facilities were built in Warendorf in order to produce motorhomes.
In 1981, the production facilities on Rudolf-Diesel-Straße in Sassenberg were extended. Followed by the establishment of a new company, LMC Lord Münsterland Caravan GmbH and the involvement of new shareholders. 1985 saw widespread success with the Münsterland, Luxus, Münsterland-Dominant, Lord and Lord Exquisit model ranges. Exports increased. From 1986, the first motorhomes of the "Liberty" series roll off the production line.
In 1991, the company was acquired by Erwin Hymer. LMC-Caravan GmbH continued its successful growth. From 1993, LMC built caravans for T.E.C.
In 1995, T.E.C. relocated from Mühlheim to a new building in Sassenberg. The turn of the century was marked by investments in a new customer service centre and a new production and logistics hall, as well as in machinery and systems. In 2005, LMC started making alcoves and semi-integrated motorhomes on the Ford Transit chassis.
In 2015, LMC Caravan GmbH & Co. KG celebrates “60 years of passion for caravanning" at the factory site in Sassenberg and launches an attractive special model each as a caravan and motorhome.
The new production plant opens in 2018 and doubles production capacity. LMC sets a milestone in the company's history with the latest technology.
The strategic direction of the LMC brand, with its strong, consistent focus on its target customers, required a brand relaunch.. This is based on sustainable positioning, the company’s performance and its revamped models, whose exterior and interior designs are heavily geared towards the values and requirements of its target customers.
LMC celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2020 and looks to the future with great expectations. The Style 493 K anniversary caravan model is being launched to celebrate the event. Camper vans enter LMC production in 2021 - initially on a Fiat basis, the Innovan has also been available on Ford since 2022.
