Scotland-based aviation leather supplier, Muirhead, has expanded its operations into the global aircraft seat cover business, with the goal of disrupting traditional airline seating supply chains with a unique, vertically integrated service model.
Muirhead says this strategic move positions the company – known for its expertise in sustainable leather production – as a fully certified service provider offering a streamlined, ‘one-stop shop’ seat cover option for airlines and seating OEMs.
The new Muirhead Seat Cover Service integrates every aspect of the production process – from initial design and fit checks, to testing, authority certification, material production and seat cover manufacturing. This end-to-end approach eliminates the need to coordinate with multiple suppliers, reducing complexity, lead times and overall costs, while enhancing quality control and accountability.
Nicholas Muirhead, CEO of Muirhead’s parent company, Scottish Leather Group, said of the expansion: “This marks a significant milestone for Muirhead. Our entry into the seat cover market builds on over a century of leather expertise, and we’re bringing that same commitment to quality and innovation to a new frontier. By integrating every stage of the seat cover production process, we’re offering airlines a seamless service that ensures absolute accountability and delivers superior value.”
The Scottish manufacturer’s vertically integrated approach is designed to disrupt the conventional supply chain by eliminating an intermediary stage, which reduces margin stacking and ensures complete traceability from farm to fit.
Martin Longden, head of cabin engineering at Muirhead, added: “Unlike fabrics or synthetics, leather demands specialised craftsmanship and technical expertise to achieve the fit and performance required in aviation – expertise often missing in traditional supply chains. At Muirhead, we’re proud to have integrated every step of this process under one roof – ensuring airlines benefit from a seamless, accountable solution and the unrivalled quality that only comes from working with a dedicated leather specialist.”
