What MGR Foamtex does

MGR Foamtex Ltd designs and manufactures advanced passenger upholstery systems for commercial aircraft interiors, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Thame, Oxfordshire, UK. The company's core technology stack centers on lightweight foam-based wall and seat covering solutions, anchored by MGRSoftWall® — described as the world's first padded vertical wall surface covering meeting all heat release and smoke density requirements — and its 50%-lighter successor, MGRSoftWall® NextGen. The portfolio also includes MGRSafeWall™ (an aircraft interior anti-microbial system tested effective against SARS-CoV-2), MPSHybrid (a premium foam system for seating), MGRStyleCover® (a patented embossed fabric-foam bonding process), Extrême Style Covers (deep curved seam-free shaping), and TUS2000® (a quick-change cover system enabling under-one-minute per-passenger cover swaps for mid-life cabin refreshes). Bespoke finishing services — leather trim, large field embroidery, perforation, debossing, embossing, laser cutting, and leather printing — and a Build-to-Print service round out the integrated design-and-supply matrix.

The business operates as a B2B manufacturer and direct supplier to seat manufacturers, airlines, and aircraft interior design agencies, selling engineered, certification-ready components rather than commoditized foam. Revenue is generated through product sales and bespoke project work, with quote-based pricing tailored per program; no standard list pricing is published. Distribution is direct via a global direct-sales motion, supplemented by participation in the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg. Airworthiness certifications — CAA/EASA Part 21J Design (UK.21J.0180) and Part 21G Production (UK.21G.2273) — allow MGR to deliver fully certified cabin interior solutions without secondary authority oversight. Headcount is in the 251–500 range, and in April 2025 the company was acquired by Insperial Group, retaining its existing leadership under Managing Director David Howgego and board member Les Simpson.

Name

MGR Foamtex

Legal name

MGR Foamtex Ltd

Website

https://mgrfoamtex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

MGR Foamtex designs and manufactures advanced lightweight passenger upholstery systems — including padded wall coverings, antimicrobial protection, embossed seat covers, and quick-change trim — for aircraft seat manufacturers, airlines, and interior design agencies globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Cabin Interior Upholstery

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Plastics Foam Products (3086)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerospace Interior Materials & Components (Cabin) (IMABANAI)

Keywords

• Aircraft upholstery systems
• Aerospace interior components
• Passenger seating solutions
• Aircraft foam manufacturing
• Cabin interior products

Headquarters

HQ city

Thame

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Upholstery Systems: MGR Foamtex manufactures and supplies advanced passenger upholstery systems including MGRSoftWall®, MGRSoftWall® NextGen, MPSHybrid, and related products to seat manufacturers, airlines, and design agencies in the aerospace industry. Revenue is generated through product sales with capabilities including bespoke finishing services, leather trimming, large field embroidery, perforation, debossing, embossing, laser cutting, and leather printing

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MGR Foamtex designs and manufactures advanced passenger upholstery systems for aircraft interiors, supplying padded vertical wall coverings, foam-based seating systems, anti-microbial cabin protection, embossed seat covers and quick-change cover systems to seat manufacturers, airlines, and design agencies. The company also provides leather trim, bespoke finishing (embroidery, perforation, debossing, embossing, laser cutting, leather printing) and build-to-print manufacturing services under CAA/EASA Part 21J and Part 21G certifications.

Product overview

MGR Foamtex is a manufacturer of advanced aircraft passenger upholstery systems, operating as a single-product company with multiple integrated product lines. The core portfolio includes MGRSoftWall® (the original padded wall covering meeting fire safety requirements), MGRSoftWall® NextGen (a 50% lighter version), MGRSafeWall™ (antimicrobial protection system), MPSHybrid (premium foam system), and MGRStyleCover® (embossed seat covers including Extrême variant and TUS2000® quick-change system). These products form an Integrated Design and Supply matrix where MGRSoftWall® serves as the cornerstone, with StyleCover and other finishing services providing customization options. Bespoke Finishing services (leather trim, embroidery, printing) complement the product suite alongside Build-to-Print manufacturing services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MGRSoftWall®: World's first padded vertical wall surface covering capable of meeting all heat release and smoke density requirements for aircraft interiors.
• MGRSoftWall® NextGen
• MGRSafeWall™
• MPSHybrid
• MGRStyleCover®
• TUS2000®
• MPS Hybrid
• SoftWall NextGen

Products and services

• MGRSoftWall® Padded vertical wall surface covering for aircraft interiors, claimed as the world's first meeting all heat release and smoke density requirements for aircraft cabins; supplied to seat manufacturers, airlines and design agencies.
• MGRSoftWall® NextGen Latest-generation padded vertical wall covering for aircraft interiors, 50% lighter than the original MGRSoftWall®, for weight-sensitive cabin programmes.
• MGRSafeWall™ Aircraft interior anti-microbial protection system shown to be active against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), extended to pilot seating, crew rest areas and cabin attendant seating.
• MPSHybrid Premium foam seating system for aircraft applications positioned as affordable yet super-premium, available for new and retrofit seat programmes.
• MGRStyleCover® Embossed seat cover system that simultaneously presses design into both fabric and foam substrate, bonding them permanently; suitable for new build and retrofit programmes, with high dry-clean durability.
• Extrême Style Covers Patented variant of the StyleCover process that enables deep curved shapes without stitched seams for complex aircraft seat designs.
• TUS2000® Quick-change Cover System Quick-release aircraft seat cover system enabling cabin interior refresh with sub-1-minute per passenger change-out for mid-life cabin programmes.
• Leather Trim Service Leather trimming service for aircraft interior products, delivering high-quality leather work to exacting aviation standards as part of MGR's bespoke finishing suite.
• Bespoke Finishing Service Bespoke finishing service for aircraft interior upholstery, offering large field embroidery, perforation, debossing, embossing, laser cutting and leather printing.
• Build to Print Service Build-to-print manufacturing service that produces aircraft interior components to customer drawings, with optional design support, material and supply chain management, and structural elements delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• MGRSoftWall® NextGen is 50% lighter than previous versions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Insperial GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2025Insperial Group announced acquisition of UK-based MGR Foamtex in April 2025. This strategic move strengthens Insperial's aviation portfolio and expands market presence. MGR Foamtex will continue operating under its current leadership with David Howgego as Managing Director and Les Simpson remaining on the board.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Diehl Aviation: Major Tier-1 supplier of aircraft interior systems including cabin monuments, linings, and passenger seating. Direct overlap with MGR Foamtex in aircraft interior components, but operates at significantly larger scale with a broader portfolio.
• HAECO Special Services: Major aircraft MRO and interior solutions provider with cabin refurbishment capabilities. Comparable in serving airline cabin interior needs, though broader in scope including heavy maintenance.
• B/E Aerospace (now part of Rockwell Collins/Collins Aerospace): Major aircraft interior systems supplier (acquired by United Technologies/Collins Aerospace). Comparable as a broad portfolio supplier of aircraft cabin interior products including seating, galleys, and lighting.
• Stelia Aerospace (now Airbus Atlantic): Aerostructure subsidiary of Airbus producing aircraft seats and aerostructures. Overlaps with MGR Foamtex as a major seat manufacturer serving Airbus programs.
• Zodiac Aerospace (now Safran Cabin): Previously independent Tier-1 aircraft interior supplier now part of Safran. Significant overlap with MGR Foamtex in cabin interior products including seating, linings, and passenger comfort systems.

Direct peers

• Recaro Aircraft Seating: Specialist aircraft seating manufacturer supplying economy and business class seats globally. Comparable as an aerospace seating specialist with similar B2B go-to-market to airlines and OEMs, though focused on full seats rather than upholstery subsystems.
• Geven: Italian manufacturer of aircraft passenger seating and cabin interior components. Comparable niche specialist in aircraft seating interiors with similar customer base of airlines and seat integrators.
• Thompson Aero Seating: Premium aircraft seating supplier (Vantage suite) with strong business and first class presence. Directly comparable as a focused aerospace seating/interior specialist serving the same airline and OEM customer base as MGR Foamtex.
• AIM Altitude: Designs and manufactures aircraft interior monuments, galleys, and stowage. Overlaps with MGR Foamtex in delivering integrated cabin interior solutions to airlines and OEMs.

Regional players

• Aviator (formerly Satair/Aviator Aerospace): European-based aerospace interior refurbishment and component supplier serving Northern European airline operators. Comparable as a smaller aerospace cabin interior specialist, though geographically focused on Nordic region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mgrfoamtex
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Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MGR Foamtex