'Delighted to showcase our people, products and expertise': Portadown aviation seating specialist highlights engineering excellence to visiting chinese enterprises

Portadown aviation seating specialist Thompson Aero Seating (TAS) welcomed a distinguished delegation of Chinese business and government representatives to its facilities as part of the China – Northern Ireland Economic, Trade, and Collaboration Forum.

The forum, which attracted more than 120 Chinese firms to Northern Ireland this week, aimed to strengthen trade and investment links between China and Northern Ireland. Delegates represented some of China’s largest enterprises, including Bank of China, Huawei, BYD, China Telecom and China Merchants Bank, reflecting wide-ranging interest in Northern Ireland’s advanced manufacturing, technology, and

financial sectors.

As part of the event, the delegation toured TAS’ facilities in Portadown and Banbridge, gaining an insight into one of the region’s most advanced aerospace manufacturing operations. The visitors were shown the company’s end-to-end capabilities in design, production, and certification testing, including a live demonstration at the company’s state-of-the-art dynamic test facility - one of the most advanced of its kind in the UK and Ireland.

The demonstration showcased the rigorous safety and certification processes involved in aircraft seat development, providing delegates with a rare behind-the-scenes look at the engineering excellence behind TAS’ world-class products to major global airlines.

Following the tour, delegates engaged with the TAS senior leadership team to explore future opportunities for collaboration and investment. Discussions centred around shared goals in engineering innovation, sustainability, and high-value manufacturing.

Keith Anderson, CEO of Thompson Aero Seating, said: “We were delighted to welcome our guests from China and to have the opportunity to showcase our people, products and expertise.

"It was a privilege to contribute to this wider initiative and to demonstrate the innovation, quality, and capability that Northern Ireland offers on the global stage. We look forward to building on the connections made through this visit to drive meaningful future collaboration.”

TAS continues to invest in its manufacturing capabilities and innovation facilities, with its Banbridge site housing one of the most advanced dynamic test centres in the UK and Ireland. The company’s ongoing growth reflects both its global reputation for engineering excellence and its commitment to supporting high-value advanced manufacturing in Northern Ireland.