Recaro has started in-house production of seat covers at a new facility in Poland and gained a contract from the country’s flag carrier LOT to supply seats for its Boeing 737 fleet.
The German manufacturer says that the seat cover sewing facility – dubbed “cut2dress” – is located in close proximity to its seat production facility in Swiebodzin.
While Recaro will continue using seat covers from external suppliers, the company says that the new facility enables it to set its “own standards in terms of workmanship”, will provide higher flexibility and shorten supply chain lead times.
Operating an owned sewing facility “increases [the manufacturer’s] influence on the visual quality and craftsmanship of the dress covers”, Recaro says.
Chief executive Mark Hiller states that the facility will generate additional growth and represents a step toward “better supporting our customers”.
LOT has ordered seats for nine 737s, with the first aircraft scheduled to be fitted with the new equipment during the first quarter of 2019.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that LOT has six 737-800s, four Max 8s – with a further eight on order – and three 737-400s.
“The site in Poland was crucial for us to have Recaro produce the seats for our 737 aircraft,” states LOT chief executive Rafal Milczarski.
The contract is LOT’s first seat-supply deal with Recaro.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
