Thompson Aero Seating announces new test facility

Thompson Aero Seating has announced plans to create a Dynamic Test Facility in Northern Ireland. This is a £7.5 million investment in a facility that will catapult Thompson into a new era of development and innovation.

Construction works are underway to expand the Thompson brownfield site, County Down, for the DTF. They will be completed in Spring 2023. Testing equipment will be installed in the Summer.

Parallel to the construction works, there will be testing engineering positions available. This is a great opportunity to help shape the future of the business and contribute to the design of the next generation aircraft interior products.

Thompson will be able to use the DTF to enhance his ability to certify new products for their airworthiness, as well as to conduct research and development work without ever leaving the factory. Thompson had to send products to Europe and North America to test the DTF.

Neil Taggart, CEO of Thompson Aero Seating, says: “Having our own Dynamic Test Facility will give us a huge opportunity to save on lead times in the development of our new seats and improve sustainability – which have to be positives for our airline customers.”

Thompson will have greater innovation opportunities and can optimise designs, which will reduce weight and therefore lower the carbon footprint of seats in flight. Thompson will be able to use a more robust in-house dynamic testing facility. Testing onsite is also a positive thing for the environment.

Engineers can simulate the dynamic conditions of a full scale crash event using sled testing. The installed reverse accelerator sled can generate accelerations of up to 100g.

Taggart says: “The majority of the funding for the project has come from Thompson’s shareholder, with Invest Northern Ireland is part-funding the project. This is a great opportunity for Thompson Aero Seating. It will enable us to push the boundaries of design and bring further innovation to the aircraft interiors industry.”

Support has also been received from local MPs, Councillors, business leaders from the Makers Alliance, from ADS the national trade body for Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space and our Sharing In Growth business transformation coaches.

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