Groundbreaking for new Recaro plant in China

Following the conclusion of an investment agreement with the Chinese authorities on February 22, 2012, the way was paved for the establishment of Recaro’s Chinese subsidiary and the new facility in Qingdao. The new plant, custom-built to meet the aircraft seating manufacturer’s needs, is being erected in Qingdao’s high-tech zone. In addition to a Recaro delegation headed by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Hiller and Manfred Buechner, General Manager of the future Recaro plant, the groundbreaking on December 12, 2012 was attended by highranking representatives of the Chinese government and the city of Qingdao, including Zhao Xing Shu, Director Qingdao National High-tech Industrial Development Zone, and Zhang Weiping, Vice Director Qingdao National High-tech Industrial Development Zone.

Recaro Aircraft Seating is the first international supplier of aircraft seats to establish a local production facility in China. “With this groundbreaking, we have now reached an important milestone in this project,” explains Manfred Buechner. Dr. Mark Hiller adds, “This means that we will have manufacturing facilities in each of the key aviation markets in Asia, Europe, and America. With the new plant in Qingdao, we are expanding our capacity for the Chinese market. We are already engaged in first discussions with local customers. According to our current plans, we expect that the Chinese facility will deliver its first seats by the end of 2013.”

The move to China is strategically important for Recaro Aircraft Seating. As Dr. Mark Hiller puts it, “Asia will be the world’s largest market for aircraft seats in the future. Studies indicate that Chinese airlines alone will need about 5,000 new aircraft in the next twenty years.”