There have been big changes at Jamco Corporation, as the Japan-based manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior equipment has announced a new leadership team. The company says the appointments mark ‘a new chapter’ for Jamco after its acquisition by Bain Capital (following a tender offer in January) and its delisting from the Tokyo Stock Exchange earlier this year.
A key figure in the new leadership team is executive chair Kate Schaefer, who is currently a senior advisor to Bain Capital and has over 30 years of leadership experience in commercial aerospace, most recently as a senior vice president at Boeing Global Services, with previous senior executive roles at Moog, Heico Aerospace, and AAR.
Another key appointment is chief executive Masaru Morimoto, who previously served as CEO of Showa Aircraft Industrial, a Bain Capital portfolio company and Jamco shareholder. Prior to that role, Morimoto was CEO of Delta Airlines Japan.
Sanjeev Sen will join from Collins Aerospace as chief operating officer, working with the heads of HR and IT to strengthen Jamco’s global capabilities.
Koichi Tsunematsu, who will continue leading Jamco’s transformation as executive vice president, said of the changes, “Over the past few years, Jamco has implemented management reforms to persevere through the pandemic as well as post-pandemic supply chain disruption facing the aerospace industry globally. With the support of our new partners at Bain Capital, we can move Jamco from defence to offence and become the industry’s leader in the production of high-quality cabin interiors.”
Plans for growth in cabins and seating
Jamco intends to leverage Bain Capital’s global network and resources to increase its growth and scale. Specific growth initiatives include expanding Jamco’s engineering and manufacturing capacity for widebody galley and lavatory production, and increasing its presence in the aftermarket sector, including cabin retrofits.
Jamco also intends to re-launch its business-class seating business unit, focusing on the Venture seat as a readily available solution as the aviation sector deals with lead time and supply challenges. Venture is flying with airlines such as KLM.
With the support of Bain Capital and the new leadership team, Jamco also plans to expand its product portfolio through acquisitions and partnerships.
Kate Schaefer, Executive Chair of Jamco explained, “We see great potential to transform Jamco into a platform through future acquisitions in widebody cabin interiors. By expanding the product portfolio, we can create deeper relationships with airline customers while accelerating new product innovation and re-imagining the passenger experience of long-haul travel.”
Masaru Morimoto, CEO of Jamco, added “Together with the new leadership team, Aircraft Interiors Group, Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing Group, Corporate Group, as well as group companies such as Jamco America and Jamco Aircraft Interiors united as one, we will continue this transformation journey while pursuing bold new growth opportunities to unlock Jamco’s full potential.”
