Acro Aircraft Seating

About Acro Aircraft Seating

Acro Aircraft Seating, established in 2006 by founders Chris Brady, Andy Lawler, and David Starkey, operates as a manufacturer of passenger seats for the global commercial airline industry. The company's business is centered on the design, production, and certification of lightweight and low-maintenance aircraft seating for a range of aircraft, including those from Airbus, Boeing, Saab, and ATR. Acro serves a diverse client base that includes low-cost carriers like Jet2 and Pegasus Airlines, as well as major international airlines such as Air New Zealand and Chinese carriers. Revenue is generated through the sale of these seating products and related services to airlines and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition in 2017 by Zhejiang Science and Technology Investment Company (ZTC) for £55 million. This acquisition was a strategic move for ZTC's subsidiary, Tiancheng Controls, a vehicle seat manufacturer, to enter the aviation market and provided Acro with substantial capital for international growth, particularly in the Asian market. Following the acquisition, Acro has maintained its operational base in the UK, relocating in late 2020 to a new 100,000 sq ft headquarters in Crick, Northamptonshire, to expand its design, development, and production capabilities. The company has also established a second production facility in Shanghai to directly supply the Asian aviation market.

Acro's product portfolio includes economy class, premium economy, and regional business class seating. A key design feature across its products is the 'Extra-Spatial Design', which incorporates a highly curved composite seatback to increase passenger space, particularly at knee level. Their Series 9 seat, for example, is noted for being lightweight at 7.5 kg per passenger and having a recyclability rate of 98.83%. Products like the Series 6 offer variants for long-haul and low-cost carrier configurations, while the Series 7 provides a modular design for business class. The company recently entered the premium economy segment with its INNOVARES platform, which features a combination of a pivoting seat back and an articulated seat pan to create a 'cradle' effect for enhanced comfort. Acro is an approved line-fit supplier for Airbus and also supports Boeing customers.