ZIM Aircraft Seating announces the acquisition of HAECO Cabin Solutions from HAECO Group and will operate under the name ZIM Group in the future. HAECO Cabin Solutions is a business unit of HAECO Group that manufactures Economy and Premium Economy passenger seats, performs a full range of reconfiguration programs through its ODA, and has a broad array of manufactured products including a full range of galleys, lavatories, Wi-Fi adapter plates and stowage products. Cabin Solutions products are known for their reliability and lightweight construction that contribute to operational cost savings for airlines.

ZIM Aircraft Seating GmbH is the global leader in developing and manufacturing Premium Economy seats paired with a full range of value-add Economy and Business Class seats for commercial passenger aircrafts, which are sold to valued and renowned international airlines. The firm seeks to create a superior travel experience for air travellers by integrating unique features that increase living space and seating comfort in the personal space of every single passenger. The headquarter is in Immenstaad on Lake Constance in Germany, with production in nearby Markdorf. Since the end of February 2020, the company is majority owned by the AURELIUS Group.

"We are delighted to welcome HAECO Cabin Solutions and its excellent and dedicated team into the ZIM Group," said Sven Achilles, CEO. "This acquisition is a game-changer. It will strengthen our international market position and allows us to leverage the strengths of both companies: The expertise and passion to deliver unparalleled Economy and Premium Economy seating solutions. Joining forces and creating a dynamic future-oriented thinking organization will drive excellent service and innovative passenger seating solutions for the benefit of all our customers. Finally, the advantage of risk mitigation by gaining access to another pool of highly skilled employees that will also benefit from this merger and to a broader supplier base are topped by the integration of a fully equipped testing facility and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Organisation Designation Authorisation (ODA) approval which will significantly help us speed up new product development and focus on the Zero Emission Cabin effort of OEMs in the future”, adds Sven Achilles.

“The combination of ZIM Aircraft Seating and HAECO Cabin Solutions (HCS) is highly synergistic leveraging the strengths of both organizations,” said Doug Rasmussen, President of HCS. “The new organization will have market leading products in every category where it competes. Rarely does an acquisition yield such obvious strategic benefits,” adds Doug Rasmussen.

After the acquisition, ZIM Aircraft Seating and HAECO Cabin Solutions will trade as ZIM Group and work collaboratively, leveraging their resources and expertise to drive innovation and deliver superior seating solutions. The shared vision of both companies promises exciting developments and a future filled with enhanced product offerings and impactful collaborations.

"With the takeover of HAECO Cabin Solutions, ZIM Group becomes the world's fourth-largest aircraft seat manufacturer with a significantly expanded product portfolio as well as customer base”, says Raffael Rogg, Operating Partner at AURELIUS and Executive Board Member of ZIM Group.

The strategic rationale behind the consolidation of both companies was obvious and ZIM Group placed strong emphasis on presenting a plan that satisfies all stakeholders. Supported by AURELIUS´ operational specialists, ZIM Group is well-positioned to capture the growth opportunities available by successfully executing the defined growth strategy. With a bright outlook in the global aviation market including the recovery to travel levels seen before the pandemic, ZIM Group is ready to leverage its various competitive advantages.