ONE of the area’s largest employers
has received a £16m investment.
US aerospace company Collins Aerospace will
use the multi-million-pound package to develop
passenger seating products for wide-body and
twin-aisle aircraft at its Kilkeel facility, which
employs more than 800 people.
The research and development (R&D)
investment by Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of
the RTX Corporation, was announced last week
by Joe Kennedy III, US Special Envoy to
Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, and came
just months after he visited the Mourne
premises whilst leading a senior US business
delegation to Northern Ireland.
Announcing the investment, Mr Kennedy said
the local factory’s workforce “contributed” to a
“thriving aerospace sector” and that the money
will be used to design and manufacture a new
line of passenger seats.
“Over the last 50 years in the global aviation
seating market, RTX, through its Collins
Aerospace business in Kilkeel, has contributed to
Northern Ireland’s thriving aerospace sector,”
he said.
“It was a pleasure to visit the company and
see first-hand its research and innovation.
“This new investment will see it design and
manufacture its new line of passenger seats
which will help further its export growth
ambitions.
“Following a US business delegation visit and
having spoken with many top US executives, I
am convinced that there is a real eagerness to
explore what Northern Ireland has to offer,” Mr
Kennedy added.
Alan Henning, managing director of
operations for Collins Aerospace’s Kilkeel site,
said: “As a renowned leader in the design and
manufacture of interior aircraft solutions, Collins
Aerospace continually seeks to elevate levels of
comfort for airline customers.
“This R&D investment aimed to create the
most efficient production system for a new,
innovative and highly complex aircraft seat that
is far superior to anything else currently on the
market.
“Our team in Kilkeel have a strong reputation
for R&D and innovation excellence and were well
positioned to undertake this challenging project.”
The new investment has been supported by
business support agency, Invest Northern
Ireland.
Its interim chief executive, Mel Chittock,
acknowledged the skillset possessed by those
employed at the local site.
“The decision to locate this significant R&D
project in Collins Aerospace’s Kilkeel facility
reflects the confidence that the company has in
the team there and in Northern Ireland’s
advanced engineering capability.
“Invest NI has supported the growth and
development of the team over a number of years,
providing assistance with skills improvement,
research and development, and smart
manufacturing approaches,” he said.
Northern Ireland currently manufactures 30
per cent of the global demand for aircraft seats
and the industry is an important part of the
region’s Advanced Manufacturing and
Engineering sector.
