DeCrane Launches Seating Unit

DeCrane aircraft is launching its new DeCrane Aircraft Seating Company at NBAA this year, having successfully consolidated the facilities, operations and personnel of various seating and component manufacturers it has acquired over the past few years.

DASC's home is a newly renovated 110,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Peshtigo, Wis. There, DeCrane technicians craft executive seating, divans, special mission seating, tables, beds and cabinetry hardware. DeCrane customers include such OEMs as Agusta, Bell, Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Embraer, Pilatus and Raytheon. The completions areas of Associated Air Center and Jet Aviation also use DeCrane seating.

According to DASC CEO Tom Beatty, the new facility will provide "a one-location product source regardless of a customer's technology preference." As important as the addition of a new sales and product support team and changes at the physical plant, says Beatty, are "significant changes we have made in our operating processes that have enhanced our professionalism."

Changes such as the introduction of lean design and manufacturing techniques, upgraded training and quality programs, and the introduction of elements of Six Sigma have helped DASC to "reduce lead, delivery, product development and certification times." The company is also better able to customize products for customers-even "deep into the manufacturing process, without disruption of labor, material flow or delivery times."

DeCrane says it will continue to support such well-respected DeCrane brands including Dettmers linear bearing technology and Omniglide-both formerly part of ERDA-as well as adding entirely new product lines. DASC will introduce new seating products for midsize, super-midsize and larger aircraft at the convention this year. Visit DeCrane Aircraft Seating at Booth 1133 on the convention floor.