Scottish Leather Group, parent company of Muirhead, the global leader in high-performance, low-carbon aviation leather, today announces the strategic acquisition of Aerotech Systems Limited.

This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Muirhead’s mission to provide a truly vertically integrated, end-to-end solution for the global aviation industry.

By bringing Aerotech Systems Limited, a specialist in UK-CAA Part 21G Production Organisation Approval (POA), into the group, Muirhead significantly enhances its in-house certification and production capabilities. This move allows Muirhead to streamline the delivery of fully certified aircraft interior components, reducing lead times and complexity for airlines and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Key Highlights of the Acquisition:

• Enhanced Certification: Integration of Aerotech’s Part 21G POA status ensures all products meet the most stringent Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) standards directly from the source.
• Vertical Integration: Muirhead now controls every stage of the process, from 100% traceable raw hides to final certified seat cover production and assembly.
• Innovation & Sustainability: Muirhead already makes the lowest carbon leather and is a leader in circular manufacturing, this acquisition further underscores its commitments.
• Expanded Capacity: Strengthens Muirhead’s ability to deliver its integrated seat cover service, which combines luxury aesthetics with world-class engineering.

This increased offering to the aviation sector is complemented by Muirhead’s launch of BioPRO® Foam, the world’s first naturally fire-resistant, lightweight, protein-based comfort seating solution for the aviation and mass transportation industries.

Developed over five years of research, BioPRO is a revolutionary, patented innovation which utilises hydrolysed collagen — a natural by-product of Muirhead’s own circular leather manufacturing process — to create a high-performance sustainable seating solution that sets a new industry benchmark for sustainability and safety.

A Cleaner, Safer Standard for Cabin Interiors

Unlike traditional synthetic foams that rely on chemical additives to meet strict fire standards, BioPRO features a 20% functional protein content that is chemically bonded into the foam structure. This unique property allows the foam to naturally resist fire, eliminating the need for harmful substances typically found in aviation and mass transportation seating, including:

• Melamine
• Bromine
• Titanium Phosphate
• Graphite
• PFAS (forever chemicals)

Precision Engineering and Vertical Integration

The launch of BioPRO allows Muirhead to provide a truly integrated seating solution. By combining its world-renowned low-carbon leather and other textile seat covers with custom-moulded bio-protein cushions, Muirhead offers airlines and OEMs a seamless, one-stop shop that simplifies supply chains and ensures flawless aesthetic consistency across cabin interiors.

Stephen Ritchie, Sales Director Aviation–Muirhead, said, “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Aerotech Systems Limited by our parent company, Scottish Leather Group. This is a pivotal milestone for the business as we continue to push the boundaries of aviation interiors. By bringing Part 21G approval alongside our product offerings, we can certify and deliver compliant aircraft interior components directly to our customers, providing assurance, flexibility, and a shorter route to market.

Alongside our leather manufacturing, integrated seat cover capability, and patented BioPRO foams, this acquisition enables us to deliver a fully certified, high-performance seating solution tailored for our customers in the aviation market”.

Muirhead

Muirhead, established in 1840, is a Scottish Leather Group business and a trusted supplier of high-performance leather solutions to leading aviation, passenger transport, furniture, and luxury brands. Its reputation is built on a legacy of technical excellence, unmatched durability, and sustainable innovation, including its latest innovation, BioPRO® Foam, a next-generation foam with 20% bio-protein content, natural fire resistance, and proven compliance with international safety standards, providing a smarter, more sustainable alternative to traditional, synthetic foams.

Scottish Leather Group

Scottish Leather Group is the UK’s largest leather manufacturer. Its businesses innovate leather solutions for some of the best-known brands in automotive, aviation, mass transit, upholstery, luxury, and more. The company leads the industry in excelling in sustainability, technical excellence, and customer-centricity.

Within the group, Bridge of Weir Leather is an expert in automotive leather, supplying the world’s most prestigious motoring brands. Lang is an innovative modern tannery that also supplies leather co-products to other industries. Muirhead is an expert in high-performance leather, engineered seat covers and sustainable foams, catering to demanding industries like aviation, mass transport, upholstery, and luxury goods.

Featured image credited to Scottish Leather Group