Geven, an Italian manufacturer of aircraft seating and interiors, is located in Nola, just 20 km from Naples. The company’s journey began several decades ago in the automotive industry, specializing in custom upholstery. This expertise then extended to seating for trains and marine vessels, eventually leading to a natural progression into the aviation sector, where Geven successfully met the higher standards required. By the late 1990s, the company secured its first orders for aircraft seats, affirming its reputation for quality products and services.
Geven’s entry into the aircraft seating market started with retrofit projects on existing aircraft, a crucial step towards becoming an approved vendor for airframe manufacturers. With the addition of a new production facility adjacent to its main site, Geven now operates over a total area of 110,000 square meters. 40 years later, Geven is among the top global players in aircraft interiors. The result of their expertise and dedication is flying on major airlines across the globe, and now the company is reliable supplier to top OEMs.
Interview with Pasquale Rapullini, Sales & Business Development Manager at Geven.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Pasquale Rapullini: At Geven, we focus on two main areas: aircraft seating and aircraft monuments. Our range of passenger seating products spans from wide to narrow body up to business, premium, and economy class. Each product is designed with a passenger-centric philosophy, ensuring high reliability standards, high functionality, ease of maintenance, and low cost of ownership, all while showcasing the typical elegance of Italian taste.
SkyTecno – a division of the Geven Group – specializes in manufacturing aircraft interiors, including compact galleys, lavatories, and wardrobes, as well as VIP capsule components. This division also features specialized subdivisions for thermo-acoustic insulation blankets and aircraft cabin flooring.
E.E: What’s the news about new products/services?
P.R: Geven is always looking ahead and continuously invests in research and development of new technologies, innovation, and sustainability solutions to provide products that are increasingly lightweight and environmentally friendly. Our seats are becoming more comfortable, beautiful, and elegant, enhanced with features designed to accompany and satisfy passengers on any type of journey.
E.E: What are the ranges of products/services?
P.R: The Passenger Seating division boasts years of expertise and offers a comprehensive range of products tailored to various seating classes within the aircraft cabin, including business, premium economy, and economy class. Geven’s after-sales support is a cornerstone of our service, reflecting our commitment to building long-lasting partnerships with our customers. We strive to ensure optimal performance throughout the entire product lifecycle.
E.E: What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
P.R: The post-pandemic era, following a forced halt, has witnessed an explosion in the aerospace market. The demand in the market has significantly increased, and we have prepared ourselves with a portfolio of offerings that can meet the needs of airlines and OEMs, without losing sight of the craftsmanship that sets us apart.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
P.R: The aerospace market trend, particularly in the interiors sector, is moving towards increasingly lightweight and sustainable products. These products need to be made from waste and recycled materials and are designed to minimize costs and environmental impact.
Furthermore, passengers have developed a greater sensitivity towards sustainability and increased awareness regarding the products and type of flight experience they pursue.
E.E: What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
P.R: Elemento for sure, our economy class seat part of the next generation family seats, that is set to make its debut with major airlines in Europe and worldwide in 2024. Elemento is characterized by innovative features that enhance passenger comfort, offering maximum airline customization and granting seamless integration into both wide and narrow-body aircraft. Elemento boasts a modular design, making it easier to install and integrate the latest In-flight entertainment devices and portable electronic device holders. The design language is the result of the joint effort of Geven and Priestman Goode and is driven by key attributes: functionality, timeless elegance, clean and sculptural contours, and a and design. These are Elemento’s amazing features:
- The lightest in weight.
- Adjustable Privacy Headrest: Provides passengers with extra head support and comfort, enhancing the overall flight experience.
- Enhanced Comfort Solutions: The patented wave system ensures an unforgettable flight experience with maximum comfort.
- Adjustable PED Holders: Designed to accommodate all possible variants of personal electronic devices carried on board.
- Quick Installation Fitting: Facilitates ease of maintenance operations when needed.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2024?
P.R: We aim to further reinforce our presence in the market and increase our market share. For now, we cannot disclose too much…but stay tuned!
