Thompson Aero Seating has opened a dynamic test facility in Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland. This provides extensive opportunity for research, design, development, testing and verification in a new, purpose-built facility on Thompson's existing site.

Part of the new Thompson Engineering Centre, the Dynamic Test Facility itself represents an investment of over andpound;7.5 million. The facility will give Thompson enhanced capability to certify new products for airworthiness at its own premises (testing that until now has had to be carried out in the US or Europe) and to carry out research and development work.

It allows engineers to reproduce the dynamic conditions of a full-scale crash event in a controlled environment. Having this facility on site gives Thompson an advantage in the industry, enabling the engineers to continue exploring innovative, lightweight and market-disruptive seating solutions.

The new facilities will enable Thompson's designs to be optimised, reducing weight and, therefore, reducing the carbon footprint of the seats in flight. With the nearest alternative facilities being overseas, this onsite Dynamic Test Facility makes the whole process more environmentally sustainable for Thompson.

Keith Anderson, CEO, Thompson Aero Seating, says: “We are delighted that our new Dynamic Test Facility is officially open and operating. The significance of this new state-of-the-art facility cannot be over emphasised in terms of the opportunities it provides. Our orderbook is very strong and the growth trajectory we have over the coming years will be underpinned and supported by our new in-house capability. We are very grateful to Jayne Brady [Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service], an engineer at heart, for taking time out of her busy schedule to attend the opening as our esteemed guest and speaker.”

The majority of the backing for the project has come from Thompson's shareholder, with Invest Northern Ireland part-funding the project. Support has also been received from local MPs; Councillors; business leaders; the Makers Alliance; ADS - the national trade body for Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space; and Sharing in Growth's business transformation coaches.

Jeremy Fitch, Executive Director of Business Growth Group, Invest NI, said: “This investment in engineering and business capability represents an important and ambitious milestone in Thompson's Northern Ireland story. It is a great example of the Department for the Economy's 10X in action, enabling the company to continue its ethos of innovation with an investment which will also boost economic growth in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council area.”

Anderson concludes: “We are looking forward to sharing with our airline customers the positive benefits that will be achieved in terms of innovation, lead times, and sustainability.”