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Our history

Founded in 1960 and now in its third generation of family ownership. Here are just some of our highlights.

1960

Industrial Precision Equipment (now Ipeco) is founded by Allan Johnson as a sub-contract machining and fabrication company.

1960

One of IPE’s initial contracts with his former employer, Aviation Traders, to supply forward-fuselage and tail components for the new Carvair aircraft.

1970

Following a report which cited a problem with pilot fatigue caused by uncomfortable seating, the Company seizes the opportunity to diversify into the design and manufacture of aircraft crew seats.


1972

Ipeco develop a it's first pilot seat. The first seats went onto a Fokker F28, some of which are still flying.

1974

Ipeco is awarded a contract to retrofit pilot seats for Lufthansa B707 / B727 fleet.

1978

Ipeco is selected by Gulfstream to provide pilot seats for the GII aircraft.


1981

Boeing selects Ipeco to provide pilot seats for the new Boeing 757-200. The first airline to take delivery is Eastern Airways.

1984

Lockheed Martin chooses Ipeco crew seats for its C-130 programme.

1985

Ipeco is the chosen supplier for pilot seats on all Boeing commercial aircraft platforms.


1985

Ipeco acquires Benson Lund (cabin interiors).

1986

Ipeco is awarded its first Queen's Award for export achievement.

1986

Ipeco form new company Polymeric, to take the group firmly into the market for advanced composites products.


1986

Ipeco Incorporated launched.

1986

The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

1988

Ipeco is selected to supply pilot and observer seating for the B747-400 aircraft.


1992

Ipeco acquires Pulse Electronics.

1995

Ipeco acquires AMC (galley inserts).

1997

Ipeco is brought back into family ownership. Steve Johnson, the grandson of Allan and the son of Chris, took over the position of CEO.


2003

Ipeco develops executive jet passenger seating for business aircraft. Cessna becomes the launch customer, shortly followed by Hawker Beechcraft.

2003

Ipeco is selected to provide pilot seats for the Boeing C-17 programme and continues to supply crew seating for Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft variants.

2006

Ipeco is selected to supply pilot and observer seating for the B787 aircraft.


2006

Ipeco is selected by Bombardier to supply executive jet passenger seating for the CL300 business jet.

2008

Training apprentices has been on the rise since the 1960s, leading Ipeco to launch its own dedicated training center in Southend.

2008

Ipeco is selected as one of three suppliers for the A350XWB programme and develops a new product portfolio.


2012

Ipeco continues to provide executive passenger seating to Bombardier for the new CL350 aircraft.

2013

Ipeco is selected to supply pilot, observer and flight attendant crew seating for the new Embraer E-Jet E2 family of jet airliners.

2014

Ipeco establish a new distribution centre in Hong Kong.


2015

The Ipeco ARINC size 4 microwave is selected by Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.

2016

Awarded 777-9 seating contract by Boeing to supply pilot, observer seats and High Comfort Attendant Seat for its new family of aircraft.

2017

Ipeco Singapore Pte Ltd established as a new customer service base for South- East Asia, Australasia and the Pacific Islands.


2018

Airbus select High-Comfort Cabin Attendant Seat (HCCAS) for A321neo, 330neo and 350neo aircraft.

2018

Ipeco announces expansion programme with a new 130,000 ft2 facility on Southend Airport Business Park.

2019

Ipeco acquires hs2 engineering in Germany.


2019

Qatar Airways selects the new Ipeco microwave oven and fridge for Boeing 787-9 and 777-9 fleets.

2019

Bombardier extends executive jet passenger seating contract.

2020

Ipeco Inc. secures new premises in Kent, Washington, to further strengthen support to the Boeing final assembly lines at Renton and Everett.


2020

The Royal Canadian Air Force has taken delivery of its first Airbus C295 FWSAR Aircraft. The aircraft features Ipeco pilot, operator and crew station seating.

2020

Ipeco receives an award from Airbus for Excellent Customer Support.

2020

Ipeco receives the Supplier of the Year award from Embraer.


2020

A significant milestone is achieved with the manufacture of Ipeco seat serial no.100,000

2020

Ipeco delivers first executive passenger seats for the King Air 350.

2020

Ipeco delivers first executive passenger seats for the CJ4 aircraft.


2020

Ipeco selected by Antonov for pilot and operator seats to be installed on five of their An124-100 and An225 Mryia (the heaviest aircraft ever built with the largest wingspan).

2020

Ipeco awarded contract to develop new passenger seats for the Dornier Seastar.

2020

High Comfort Attendant Seat (HCAS) secures Boeing 777-9 certification.


2021

Textron extends executive jet seating contract.

2021

Ipeco acquire OTM Servo Mechanism Ltd ('OTM').

2021

Ipeco establish a new customer service centre in Beijing.


2021

Ipeco received the keys to its brand-new 130,000ft2 manufacturing facility, located on Southend Airport Business Park.

2022

Starlux takes delivery of its first Airbus A330neo aircraft, complete with Ipeco microwave ovens.

2023

Ipeco delivers first executive passenger seats for the Bombardier CL3500 aircraft.


2023

New ARINC size 1 Beverage Maker achieves Airbus Certification.

2023

Ipeco proudly sponsor and support Havens Hospices with the logistics for their 2023 ‘Herd in the City’ fundraising art trail.

2023

Ipeco announce expansion plans to build a second state-of-the-art facility on the new Airport Business Park. Due for completion 2024.


2024

Ipeco receives King's Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category

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