Thompson Aero Seating will build a world-class dynamic testing facility

Thompson Aero Seating today announces its plans to establish a world-class Dynamic Test Facility (DTF) in Northern Ireland. It is a £7.5 million investment in the facility that will catapult Thompson into a new era of development and innovation.

Construction work to expand the DTF facilities at Thompson’s home site in Banbridge, County Down has already begun and is scheduled for completion in Spring 2023, with test equipment installed in the summer and trials commencing in Autumn 2023.

In parallel with the construction work, there will be recruitment for several test engineer positions, which represent an exciting opportunity to shape new business opportunities and become an integral part of the development of the next generation of world-class aircraft interiors.

The DTF will give Thompson enhanced capabilities to certify new products for airworthiness and to conduct research and development without even leaving the factory. There is currently no DTF on the island of Ireland, and Thompson had no choice but to send products and team members to test facilities in Europe and North America.

Neil Taggart, CEO of Thompson Aero Seating, says: “Having our own dynamic test center will give us a huge opportunity to save time on the development of our new seats and improve durability, which should be a positive for our airline customers. »

Expanding its in-house dynamic testing capabilities will give Thompson more room for innovation and allow it to optimize designs, reducing weight and therefore reducing the carbon footprint of the seats during flight. Also, on-site testing will be positive for the environment.

Sled testing allows engineers to reproduce the dynamic conditions of a full-scale failure in a controlled environment. The installed reverse accelerator sled can produce acceleration up to 100g.

Neil Taggart says: “Most of the funding for the project has come from shareholder Thompson, with Invest Northern Ireland part-funding the project. This is a very exciting opportunity for Thompson Aero Seating. This will allow us to push the boundaries of design and bring further innovation to the aircraft interiors industry.”

Support was also provided by local MPs, councillors, business leaders from the Makers Alliance, ADS, the national trade body for the aerospace, defense, security and space industry, and our Sharing In Growth business transformation coaches.