Contour Aerospace are a United Kingdom-based aircraft seat manufacturer.
Founded in 1933 by Louis Arthur Rumbold as LA Rumbold in Acton, West London, the company supplied various aircraft components. As the industry and diversity of UK-based manufacturers consolidated, the company began to specialise in the supply of OEM catering and kitchen equipment.[1]
In 1960, the company expanded using the Contour brand into airline seat manufacture, supplying British Airways and British Caledonian with their first products. By 1970 they had outgrown their premises, and opened a new facility in Camberley, Surrey, which is today the firms headquarters.[1]
In 1996 the Rumbold family sold the business to Britax, who renamed the business Britax International. This enabled the company to develop its R&D facility, producing:[1]
In 2000, the company opened a new facility in Cwmbran, South Wales and invested in a new short-run facility at its Camberley HQ. This enabled the development of the fore-aft seat for British Airways business class in the same year, and in 2004 the development of the premium mini-suite for both Emirates and Air France.[1]
In 2004, the company was purchased through a management buyout, and added to a facility in the United States, changed its name to Heath Tecna. The name was changed again to Contour, to reflect its key product.[1]
In late 2011, the company was subject of an agreed buyout from its main rival, Zodiac Aerospace of France.[2]