Recaro premium quality offers airlines ecological and economic advantages

Aircraft seats from Recaro Aircraft Seating are characterized by high quality, ergonomic comfort, light weight and innovative design. The focus here is on the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the products – throughout the entire product life cycle of the seats. “By reducing the weight of the seats, using state-of-the-art materials and ingenious designs, the company supports airlines in their efforts to operate more economical, environmentally friendly flights,” explains Dr. Mark Hiller, Chief Executive Officer of Recaro Aircraft Seating. Using the life cycle assessment, the company scientifically evaluates the effects of its products on the environment. With this assessment process, Recaro can objectively prove how environmentally friendly its products are.

Products for short- to ultra-long-range flights
Recaro Aircraft Seating offers airlines the ideal product for every purpose and all cabins in the economy class – from short-range to ultra-long-range flights. This year, the company is unveiling its new CL3710 model for long-range flights that will set new standards in terms of weight, comfort and design. The aircraft seat developer and manufacturer also offers outstanding expertise in the business class segment: At the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2013, the company is presenting a new concept seat in an exclusive design which combines a seat with a lying surface inviting passengers to relax and enjoy their journey.

Innovation coupled with tradition
This globally operating company, which has more than a century of experience in mobile seating, has been producing premium aircraft seats for more than 40 years. Today, Recaro Aircraft Seating ranks among the world’s top three aircraft seat manufacturers. In the area of economy class seats, Recaro is the global market leader: In 2012 one out of every three new economy class seats worldwide came from Recaro Aircraft Seating. The BL3520 economy class seat has developed into a bestseller. Since its market launch at the end of 2010, international airlines have ordered more than 150,000 units of the seat that has won several prestigious awards, including the red dot award 2012. The seat is available in various configurations to meet different regional needs. In 2013, a new version will be introduced for the Asian region: the production of the BL3520-RAC is planned to start this year at the Chinese plant in Qingdao.

Expansion of worldwide capacities
In response to market developments and the growing demand for Recaro products, the company is expanding capacities at its plants around the world. In 2012, Recaro Aircraft Seating completed the expansion of the plants in Germany, Poland and South Africa. This was followed in early 2013 by the official opening of the expansion of the Dallas/Fort Worth plant in the USA, where a new building more than doubled the available area from 10,000 to 23,000 square meters. Recaro is also building a new plant in Qingdao in China. As of 2013, Recaro Aircraft Seating will be the first international aircraft seat supplier to produce seats for the local market.

On course for growth
Approximately 1,600 employees are currently developing, manufacturing and marketing seats for passenger aircraft by Airbus and Boeing, as well as for all leading airlines worldwide. In 2011 the German company achieved sales of 304 million Euros. By the year 2017, the international workforce will grow to roughly 2,200, with an annual sales target of 500 million Euros.