Sitting pretty down under

Sitting Comfortably For A Trip Down Under

Specialist expertise in the engineering of aerospace thermoplastic composite materials has again secured a substantial order for Crewkerne-based W & J Tod (TODS).

Air New Zealand is the latest international carrier to order more than 530 seats for First Class passenger areas aboard its Boeing 747 and new 777-200 aircraft fleet from Contour Premium Aircraft Seating. These seats specify structural plinths in thermoplastic materials, to be manufactured by TODS.

TODS have recently completed the manufacture of a similar version of the seating plinths in premium accommodation on the entire Virgin Atlantic 747 fleet.

The contract adds to a diverse portfolio of flooring plinths, seat components and privacy screens for premium class bed-seats and business class seats for long distant jumbo and wide-bodied aircraft, which are currently being supplied by TODS to a number of seating manufacturers.

This new contract brings to well over 10,000 the total number of seats in-service incorporating TODS components for many major European, Middle Eastern and international carriers.

On announcing the latest £1 million contract, Tom Hitchings, Aerospace Business Director of W & J Tod Limited said: “TODS have been innovative in the development and testing of the latest high strength composite materials and coatings to enable the optimum life to be achieved by one of the most used, and often abused, components in an aircraft – the seat.

This order further reinforces the recognition by the aircraft operators that these materials offer superior life expectancy and lower maintenance costs. Just as important is a potential weight saving of up to 30% over previously available materials, which is now the primary consideration by a weight conscious aerospace industry.”