Written by Jonny Williamson
Appearing at the event for the first time, the Midlands manufacturer will showcase their cutting-edge aircraft seat at the ‘Aircraft Interiors Expo’ in Hamburg, 27-29 March. Employing 120 people across three sites in Whitchurch, Wrexham and Wolverhampton, Cobra UK have developed an innovative method of cutting carbon emissions by 1500 tonnes and fuel costs by £850,000 per aeroplane.
The craft features Cobra’s new seat system which utilizes the company’s patented technology, which chemically metalizes a range of high strength polymers to provide enhanced comfort and reduces weight by 15 percent, compared to current ‘Gen III’ seating.
The company aims to build on initial interest for the technology and secure its first order at the exhibition. Cobra’s patented new seats are made by coating strong polymers with a metal finish, enabling a lighter option that doesn’t compromise on strength or durability.
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Hopes are high for Germany as Gary Seale, Managing Director, explained:
“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 Boeing 737.”
Cobra, who has already won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, will also be exhibiting the world’s lightest seat belt and a new lightweight galley trolley, alongside their innovative new seating system.
Cobra hopes their 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 restraints systems.
The recent expansions, backed by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and UK Trade & Investment UKTI), are expected to increase the available markets for the company’s pioneering products. Currently Cobra’s wares are used by some of the world’s largest car manufacturers, including Aston Martin, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo and Audi.
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