In a warehouse building in a quiet town in Northern Ireland, a robot arm is tirelessly opening and closing an airplane meal table over and over again. This mundane task, repeated 28,000 times, day and night, for over a week, is part of the rigorous testing process carried out by Thompson Aero Seating in Banbridge.
Thompson specializes in manufacturing first class and business class seats for passenger aircraft, with luxurious features like privacy-simulating enclosures, built-in entertainment systems, and ample legroom. The company has invested in state-of-the-art testing facilities, including a £7.5m facility where crash test dummies are strapped to seats and shot down a track at high speeds to ensure passenger safety.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Thompson is determined to increase its production output and meet the growing demand for aircraft seats. With over 650 employees working at its sites in Northern Ireland, the company is actively recruiting skilled workers to expand its operations.
Thompson’s vice president of corporate accounts, Colm McEvoy, explains that the company is strategically managing its customer needs and aims to multiply its annual output of seats in the next five years. The highly skilled workers at Thompson spend around 100 hours assembling the most complex seats, which cost “tens of thousands” to make.
Eoin Murray, operations manager at Thompson, is focused on improving production efficiency on the factory floor. With innovative tools and working practices, the company aims to increase the rate of seat production and meet the demands of the aviation industry.
Despite supply chain challenges, seat manufacturers in Northern Ireland are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for high-quality aircraft seats. With a focus on innovation and meeting industry requirements, these companies are poised to thrive in the competitive aviation market.
