Boeing will acquire US seat and galley manufacturer EnCore Group as part of a strategy to reduce reliance on external equipment suppliers.
The airframer expects the acquisition to "strengthen internal capabilities and increase innovation within its cabin vertical" and result in "improved capacity and availability" of interior equipment.
It adds: "Boeing's cabin vertical is one of a series of targeted vertical-integration efforts to provide more options and value to customers by developing and building in-house capabilities in key areas."
Boeing had previously partnered the supplier's "Lift by EnCore" division for the development of a 737 economy seat.
Separately, the airframer last year established a joint venture with automotive seat manufacturer Adient for the production of aircraft seats.
The proposed EnCore acquisition spans the target's entire operation – including its interior, international and Lift by EnCore divisions – and is scheduled to be completed by the end of June, subject to regulatory approval.
Based in Huntington Beach, near Los Angeles, EnCore employs a staff of around 700 across facilities in California and Mexico.
The company has since its establishment in 2011 been a Boeing supplier.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
