Collins Aerospace’s aircraft seating manufacturing site in Kilkeel has been recognised in three separate industry awards for its innovative products, processes and excellence.

The company was awarded the Automotive, Aerospace and Rail award at the recent Insider Media Made in Northern Ireland Awards, where it was shortlisted in four categories. The judges noted Collins’ commitment to using the local Northern Ireland supply chain as being an important part of its success.

The Made in Northern Ireland Awards, which were held at Titanic Hotel in Belfast, showcased the high quality and excellence of the region’s manufacturing and engineering businesses, and recognised the resilience of the companies operating within the sectors.

The company has also been announced as a finalist in the respected Crystal Cabin Awards for 2022, which recognise and award excellence in aircraft interior innovation. It has been shortlisted in the ‘New Cabin Concepts’ category for the innovation shown in the design and manufacture of the Finnair AirLounge seat, which was one of this year’s most widely discussed entries.

Manufactured by the team in Kilkeel, the AirLounge business class seat was created in cooperation with Finnair, PriestmanGoode and Tangerine. It has been described as “more like a piece of classic Nordic furniture than a simple airline seat” for its features, which include a contoured shell design that provides passengers with more living space and freedom to relax, as well as offering added privacy.

The winners of the Crystal Cabin Awards will be announced at the upcoming Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg on 14^th June.

Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel, part of Raytheon Technologies (RTX), which has over 300 sites globally, was also recently announced as the winner of the RTX/Collins Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Award for Large Site Excellence.

The award recognised the Kilkeel facility for demonstrating excellence in EH&S management over the preceding two-year period through significant performance improvement or long-term sustained performance excellence.

Managing director of Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel, Stuart McKee said: “Our facility in Kilkeel has evolved in recent times and our employee health and safety is paramount to the company, so to be given the award for Large Site Excellence across all of the sites is fantastic, and I’m delighted that Andrew has been recognised for his contribution to the company. Being selected as winner out of all Collins’ sites is a great achievement for him. I’m really proud of our team for the culture that has been created within the facility and the progress that has been made.”

www.collinsaerospace.com