There's No Sitting Down on the Job For Seat Designers at B/E Aerospace

Though the company's commercial business has taken a hit in the post-September 11 environment, B/E Aerospace expects its business jet-related business to somewhat offset declining orders on the commercial side.

"Several key factors will help us to manage our way through the difficult operating environment that lies ahead," said B/E Aerospace president and CEO Robert Khoury. "Over 60 percent of our costs are variable, providing substantial financial flexibility. Our publicly traded debt requires no principal payments until 2008.

"Our new cockpit security product and cabin reconfiguration work may mitigate some of the reduced demand for our other offerings. Prospects for our Business Jet Group remain positive," he said.

Those positive prospects were highlighted by two recent business-aircraft-related developments that have come the company's way. Under several contracts, B/E Aerospace was selected to provide a "substantial number of passenger seats" for the Boeing Business Jet. The company has begun delivering seats for a Lufthansa Technik completion project for as many as 30 BBJs destined for fractional ownership. B/E products for that program include seats with track and swivel capability, as well as three-seat divans-all upholstered by B/E and all certified under 16g dynamic testing requirements.

In related news, B/E said it was selected by two other BBJ outfitters--Associated Air Center and Ozark Aircraft Systems--to provide as many as 90 passenger seats for the Boeing airplane. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, and most of the seats will be fully upholstered.

Included in the contracts are four-way adjustable head rests, a recliner leg rest, in-seat computer power and in-arm video.

In other news, B/E has introduced an integrated interior lighting system for business and commercial aircraft based on its LED technology. The system includes both a flexible reading light and indirect wash lighting.