Cobra UK's hi-tech seating on show at expo
A manufacturer will show off the world's lightest aircraft seat when it exhibits its revolutionary product in Germany from today.
A manufacturer will show off the world's lightest aircraft seat when it exhibits its revolutionary product in Germany from today.
Cobra UK, which employs 120 people across sites in Whitchurch, Welshpool, Wrexham and Wolverhampton will use its first appearance at Aircraft Interiors Expo to showcase its breakthrough product that will cut carbon emissions by 1,500 tonnes and fuel costs by £850,000 per aeroplane.
It is hoped that the seat, made using Cobra's patented technology which chemically metalises a range of high-strength polymers to provide enhanced comfort and 15 per cent weight reductions, will lead to a business boom for the company.
It has already been independently verified on a number of test flights and the company is hoping to build on initial interest from the airlines by sealing its first order at the show.
Managing director Gary Seale said: "We genuinely believe this new seating system could be the most important innovation to hit the aerospace sector in years and it's all been designed and manufactured in the UK.
"Using principals honed in the automotive sector, our engineering team has adopted a total-cost solution to reducing the weight of aircraft seats and believe we have come up with the world's lightest option for the Boeing 737."
He added: "The technology we have created basically provides a metal finish for coating strong polymers, ensuring a lighter option (21kg for a trio of seats) that doesn't compromise strength and durability.
"Aircraft Interior Expo is a major show for us and will feature all of the big Tier 1 suppliers and attracts buyers from all over the world. If we can seal that first order, it could realistically lead to £50 million of sales within five years."
The Queen's Award winner is also applying the world's lightest seat belt and a new lightweight galley trolley, which are also based on the company's technology, supported by the Manufacturing Advisory Service and UKTI.
It marks the latest stage in Cobra's rapid development that has seen it grow from just £300,000 after the MG Rover closure to an estimated £19 million in sales for the next financial year.
More than 50 jobs have been created through this expansion and a recent move to a state-of-the-art production facility in Wrexham will further strengthen its ability to provide engineering solutions in electric sun blinds, interior lighting, loadfloors, load space covers and safety restraint systems.
Mr Seale said: "R&D is a massive part of our business and we are continually looking at ways where we can meet industry's growing desire for greener, lighter components.
"Investment in the latest design software, laser scanning system and high speed CNC machining centres give us the capability to handle the most complex projects and we can see openings in markets where we previously haven't been involved in."
The three-day exhibition runs until Thursday.
By Thom Kennedy
