Can you brief us about your 2 decades of business journey to our readers?
Soisa embarked on its journey in 1949 as a jeans manufacturing company. However, the company underwent a major strategic shift in 2006, following the rise of formidable competition from foreign businesses importing jeans into Mexico without incurring taxes. That year, Soisa earned the AS9100 certification, signalling its transformation into an aerospace company.
Merely 17 years ago, Soisa played a minor role in the aviation sector, manufacturing aircraft canopies through a modest sewing process. Fast forward to 2023, and our evolution has been nothing short of remarkable. We have advanced into a comprehensive one-stop shop, assisting our clients through an entire spectrum of services. From development to engineering, design, certification, manufacturing, and seamless integration. Soisa offers an extensive array of products and services tailored for different aircraft interiors.
What aesthetic trends have become more prevalent recently?
In terms of design, we haven’t seen a lot of risk-taking in recent years. Conventional shapes, colors and materials continue to dominate popular designs, highlighting a lack of daring innovation. To demonstrate this point, our investment in a cutting-edge CNC stitching machine, capable of accommodating all sorts of intricate and unique designs, hasn’t had many opportunities for full utilization. Nonetheless, our skilled team continue to craft a diverse range of designs.
Although there have been sporadic instances of less common colors such as yellow, orange and red, significant departures from traditional color schemes are infrequent. As for cushions and foams, the industry can do more to move in an environmentally friendly direction. The incorporation of adhesives and fire retardants, while important for safety and compliance, can make recycling and reusing these materials very challenging.
What new technologies are you being asked to integrate in your aircraft designs?
With regard to traditional aircraft dress cover designs, the progression has been somewhat limited in recent years. However, we are currently engaged in the development of urban air mobility tools, such as eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft). These revolutionary aircraft demand an entirely new approach, emphasizing comfort and lightweight design, setting them apart from conventional airplanes and jets.
What are the key findings from your research on passenger experience and trends in the aviation industry?
Airline customers are increasingly prioritizing cost-effective strategies with a view to reducing their supply chain and logistic costs. Carriers are also looking to reduce turnaround times by purchasing directly from the supplier as opposed to third parties. Soisa’s nearshoring strategy and Dubai expansion are key business developments to better position us within this evolving landscape.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have been shortening their supply chain base and seeking options to manufacture parts as close as possible to their clients. Soisa’s presence in Dubai positions us as an ideal destination for OEMs and airlines to assemble parts that they deliver in the UAE, Asia or Europe, reducing costs in every aspect of the supply chain and workforce.
What other trends are you seeing emerge?
The aerospace industry is experiencing a significant shift towards sustainability across all avenues. Many companies are actively seeking sustainable products and processes, aimed at reducing carbon footprints. This encompasses efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle materials. We’ve seen that companies are increasingly showing greater enthusiasm to partner with environmentally conscious suppliers committed to positive change and making a meaningful impact on the environment.
What will you be looking out for at Dubai Air Show 2023?
2023 will mark Soisa’s first participation in the Dubai Airshow, a significant milestone as we already boast an established manufacturing facility in the region. Our primary objective revolves around forging new connections with potential clients, with a view to fostering mutual understanding and building lasting relationships. We are confident that our Dubai facility can significantly assist airlines in speeding their products to market, and we look forward to exploring these opportunities at the event.
