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B/E Aerospace
 

The story began at Walton on Thames in 1954.under the management of Shepards Ltd.

The Ministry of Defence for aircraft seating awarded them a contract and this commenced the company’s venture into the aerospace industry.

As time progressed Warwick Engineering Investment Ltd. (WEIL) developed a requirement for a machine shop. WEIL decided to expand the business and searched for new premises.  They discovered an idyllic setting, available with good work ethics and had the benefit of the Industrial Development Board’s (IDB) grant aiding for inward investment.  This led to the creation of the Kilkeel facility.

Initially the Kilkeel branch was only 12,500sq.ft. Of space.  Soon this was doubled and enabled the Kilkeel factory to secure the British Airways and the Malaysia Airlines economy class seats contract at which stage final assembly also transferred from the English branch to Kilkeel

In 1984 additional premises were leased to accommodate further expansion of the business into premium class seating.  The first business class contracts built in Kilkeel were for British Airways Club Class and Cathay Pacific Business class seats.  The next few years saw many different owners and in 1988 it was in the hands of Boustead plc. This brought stability to the company and decided to relocate the engineering department from England to Kilkeel.  The company expanded again.  1993 Boustead plc decided that aircraft seating did not fit into their business plan and sold out to BE Aerospace.  For the first time in the history of the Kilkeel Factory it belonged to a corporation operating within the aerospace industry. Now the company was able to show its expertise, industrial knowledge and high profile to the business.

In 1996 the Seating Products Group was formed within the corporation and they had decided to close the Kilkeel site down. Still the team at Kilkeel maintained its professionalism and continued to provide customers with a high level of service and remained profitable throughout.  This attitude was rewarded by a reversal of the closure and the recognition of Kilkeel’s exceptional quality of workmanship and knowledge in the business class seats.

Kilkeel was awarded the Japan Airlines contract and has gone from strength to strength. Their R& D department are continually striving to improve what is already good.

The Kilkeel site is identified as a high level of quality workmanship and consistent on time delivery and customer focused methodology.  As a result B/E Aerospace, Kilkeel is now the “Centre of excellence” for premium class seating products within the Seating Products Group.

The Business Class Seats have adjustable lumbar cushions, legrests, footrests and in flight entertainment systems. The first Class seats are designed with ultimate passenger comfort in mind being fully reclinable “SLEEPER” seats. The features include full electric operation of all functions, privacy screens and fully automated landing, recline and sleep positions.

Customers

American airlines (International Business Class and Domestic first Class)
Aer Lingus ( variable Geometry Seat : VGS)
Air China  (Business and First Class)
British Airways  ( Club World and Club VGS)
Cathay Pacific ( Business Class)
China Airlines  (Business Class)
Delta Airlines (Business Elite)
Japan Airlines  (Business Class)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Business Class)
Malaysia Airlines (Business Class)
Midwest Express (Domestic first class)
Singapore Airlines (Business Class)
Swissair  (First Class)
United Airlines (International Business Class and Domestic First Class)
US Airways  (Domestic First Class)

The Kilkeel’s work ethic has proved itself to be very successful over the years. It is there to ensure customer satisfaction, make a profit and enjoy the business environment. The team approach has won many awards with its seating. “Best long haul Business Class” for 1997 and also “Best Asian Business airline”

1998 Kilkeel was presented with the” Northern Ireland Exporter of the year “ award.

United Airlines and Delta Airlines have presented Kilkeel with awards in recognition of its excellent delivery performance, customer support, quality of product and personal service rendered. In one year the output increased approximately from $30M to over $80M. BE Aerospace recognises the need to expand the Kilkeel’s capacity.

Here we have a real success story on our doorstep due to hard work, commitment and good use of technology. At Kilkeel they continue to involve the customer at every stage of the seat manufacturing and development process to ensure the ongoing delivery of a unique high quality, low maintance product tailored to meet each customers exacting specification on time and to any part of the world

BE Aerospace has a mission statement that sums up the commitment. Be the world’s No. 1 quality supplier of aircraft cabin interior products and services.

It is significant to note that in a place like Kilkeel , unknown to most places in the world, that 45% of the world’s airline seats are actually made. This speaks volumes for the workmanship of the area of Mourne.  Kilkeel has no good roads. The main road stops at Warrenpoint on one side and Newcastle on the other. The dollar is now quite weak and the Americans find it difficult to buy in the products for the factory but they cannot deny that the factory has always produced the goods on time and of a very high standard.

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