Auto firm diversifies into sports and aerospace sector
A MIDLANDS automotive components supplier is diversifying with the launch of new products for the sports stadium and aerospace sectors.
Cobra UK, which employs more than 70 people at bases in Whitchurch and a new facility in Welshpool, has based its business on supplying electric sun blinds, interior lighting, tread plates and load space covers to the automotive industry.
Using its knowledge of the car industry, the firm has diversified into manufacturing stadium seating for Birmingham City, Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers – currently redeveloping the North Bank stand at its Molineux ground.
The Shropshire firm has also enlisted the help of the Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands for the development of a new lightweight airline seat.
Gary Seale, managing director of Cobra UK, said: “We’re currently in the advanced stages of testing new airline seats that utilise low mass technology.
“By combining engineering grade polymer with a unique metal coating, we are able to produce a trio of seats that weigh just 21kg, half the total of current seating solutions. We’ve also used our design skills to create more legroom for passengers.”
Following comprehensive testing, Cobra believes the new technology could save up to £850,000 on fuel costs on a low cost carrier aircraft and nearly 1,500 tonnes of carbon emissions. The statistics will be reinforced in September when a major airline will be trialling six of the seats on one of its aircraft.
“This is a massive victory for UK innovation and shows what can be achieved if you invest in R&D and have conviction in your ideas,” added Mr Seale.
The automotive supplier is also expanding its core business and recently announced plans to take on an additional 50 workers to meet orders worth more than £20m for its new low mass load floor, again developed in collaboration with MAS-WM.
Roy Pulley, project manager, MAS-WM, said: “Only a small percentage of innovative ideas actually make it to commercialisation stage and that is exactly what my team are trying to overcome.
“We’ve worked with Cobra since 2006; initially on the load floor and more recently on the next generation of aircraft seats. These are world class innovations and one is already reaping dividends with a multi-million pound order.”
The MAS New Product Development programme, which has already assisted 50 companies in the region, gives manufacturers access to key areas of support, including structured process and methodology to mitigate technical and commercial risk, one-to-one mentoring and funding towards prototyping, market research and securing patents.
Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), MAS-WM has assisted more than 6,000 firms, adding £250m to the economic performance of industry.
