A Welsh automotive parts maker has made a real impact in the aviation industry with its plans to create an economy-class seat weighing 5.2kg, fully dressed. Cobra UK, based on the Wales/England border at Welshpool, displayed its new seat this year at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, and the MAKS Airshow in Moscow.
Managing director Gary Seale has been overwhelmed by the response, which includes interest from two of Russia’s largest aircraft makers, Chinese organisations, a major OEM and leading seat buyers.
Seale claims the Superlight Economy Seat will save the industry millions. “As well as the financial aspect there is also a huge reduction in carbon output, because of our advanced ecological manufacturing processes,” he says.
“Take a B737 with 180 seats and you have an average fuel saving of £840,000 per year. Add that to the fact that the seats will be cheaper to buy as well and it is little wonder that everyone wants to know about this new product.”
The company says there is currently strong interest from China, which is keen to fit the fleets of its rapidly expanding domestic airlines. “The Chinese have expressed a desire to sign Cobra to a joint manufacturing venture in China, but we would like to retain as much manufacturing as possible in Wales, having secured a consolidation loan offer of £500,000 from Finance Wales to help expand the business,” says Seale. “They have identified a requirement for 225,000 seats and I will be flying out to hold more talks with them. We are also exploring the possibility of setting up joint ventures with other companies in the UK to sell seats for land, sea and rail transport as well as aircraft.”
Seale says Cobra has used advanced materials and manufacturing processes to limit the effect on the environment, whilst not compromising on passenger comfort and cabin aesthetics. “Intelligent engineering and design has enabled us to create a seat that is both comfortable and stylish, weighing only 5.2kg and containing only 39 parts,” says Seale. “We have used carbon hybrid polymer technology, which in essence encapsulates carbon components in plastic.”
The fixed-recline seat enables 31in of legroom on a 28in pitch and is designed for the short- and medium-haul market. “This will be a huge leap forward for airlines, with massive fuel savings as well as greatly reduced maintenance and part count costs,” says Seale. “Considered use of materials and simplified seat assembly will help redefine standards within the industry.”
Cobra has not limited itself to seats. The company has already produced a new lightweight seatbelt and can offer various cabin finishes, such as chrome, precious metals, and limitless colours for seat accessories.
Cobra built its reputation in the automotive sector making sunblinds and load floors for MG Rover, Volvo, Audi, Bentley, Volkswagen, Ford and General Motors. When the downturn struck Seale went looking for alternative markets. “We were an automotive parts firm going through the pains of recession so we decided to look at where our core skills led us,” he says. “The aviation industry can learn much from the advances made by the automotive sector.”