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Recaro Holding, as the parent company of the Recaro Group, owns the Recaro brand and the independently operating companies Recaro Aircraft Seating (aircraft seats) based in Schwäbisch Hall and Recaro eGaming (gaming seats) based in Stuttgart, Germany. The business areas Recaro Automotive Seating and Recaro Kids are operated by licensees.

Key Information

History

[edit]
Recaro sports seat, 1969
Recaro Headquarter in Stuttgart
Recaro Aircraft seats, 2018
Recaro sports seats in a Gemballa GTR 600 Evo

The company was founded on 1 October 1906 by Wilhelm Reutter as Stuttgarter Carosserie und Radfabrik.[1][2][3] In 1909, Wilhelm's brother Albert Reutter joined the company as a partner and commercial manager. There was a change of name to "Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co.", owner W. & A. Reutter.[4] On 24 July 1909, the patent for a "folding roof with canopy, especially for motor vehicles" was filed.[5] This so-called "reform body" was a constructive forerunner of the convertible.[5] The result was bodies including interior fittings for almost all well-known manufacturers of the time, in particular Daimler-Benz (and predecessor) as well as the Chemnitzer Wanderer-Werke.[5] In 1919, the gradual conversion from individual production to mass production took place. During the 1920s, the company became known for building limousine bodies.[1] 1930, Reutter entered into a partnership with the Porsche design office. From 1931, Reutter manufactured the first bodies for Porsche types 7, 8, 9, 12 and 32. In 1936, after the capacity limit of the main plant in Augustenstraße had been reached, a second plant was built in Zuffenhausen. A year later in 1937, Reutter received the order to produce the Volkswagen prototype pre-series VW 303. A couple years later in 1939, the company had around 900 employees. In 1944, the main factory in Augustenstraße was severely damaged in an air raid. The workforce shrunk to 94 people. In 1949, Porsche began engaging the company to build their Porsche 356 sports car bodies.[1][6][7][8]

In 1953, the company registered a patent for "a hinge fitting for upholstered seats with adjustable backrest", the Reutter reclining seat fitting. Following completion of the 5,000th body for the Porsche 356 in 1954, the "Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co. GmbH" celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1956. That same year the 10,000th Porsche body left the factory, which by then employed 900 people.[5]

In 1963, Porsche acquired the car body factory.[1] What remained was renamed to Recaro (REutter-CAROsserie), and focus was shifted to high-end seats.[1] The company began producing both OEM seats for Porsche, and a separate line of after-market seats.[1] In 1965, Recaro presented the first Recaro sports seat at the Frankfurt Motor Show.[3] In 1967, Recaro started the construction of a production facility in Schwäbisch Hall.[9] Economic problems led the Reutter family to sell the business in 1969 to three companies, Keiper, Huber & Wagner, and Metzeler. In 1971, Recaro produced the first aircraft seats under the name Recaro Aircomfort under license of the American manufacturer Hardman Aerospace. Shortly afterwards, Recaro launched its first aircraft seat, the so-called Recaro 2020, and sold it to Lufthansa, among others. In 1974, the first motorsport seat was based on the Recaro professional full shell seat.[10] In 1983, Keiper purchased all shares in Recaro and established Keiper Recaro in Kirchheim.[1][8]

After restructuring in 1997, Recaro became an independent company again.[11] This resulted in four legally and economically independent companies, including Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG.[11] A year later, in 1998, Recaro introduced the first ever-growing child seat.[11] In 2004, Recaro bought the traditional company "Storchenmühle", which concentrates on the production of child seats. In 2006, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary. In June 2011, Recaro sold the automotive seating division to Johnson Controls, a U.S.-based automotive supplier.[2] The acquisition granted Johnson Controls to be a licensee of the RECARO brand in the automotive industry, as well as the exclusive, unlimited right to market Recaro seats for cars and commercial vehicles.[2] All other brand companies now belong to RECARO Group Stuttgart, which is the brand owner and licensor of RECARO Automotive Seating.[12][13]

In 2013, after restructuring, Recaro Holding relocated its registered office back to Stuttgart, Germany.[14] After it spun off from Johnson Controls in 2016, Recaro Automotive Seating is now owned by automotive supplier Adient. The Recaro Group continues to act as licensor. In 2018, Recaro Child Safety ceased business operations (including Storchenmühle),[15] and Recaro Holding entered into a global licensing agreement with Artsana Group, which, following the cessation of Recaro Child Safety's operations (including Storchenmühle), will continue to develop, manufacture, and distribute premium child seats and strollers under the Recaro Kids brand name.[16] Also in 2018, Recaro established a division called Recaro eGaming, which markets gaming chairs. In 2019, Recaro Gaming Seats became available for purchase.

In July 2024, news reports surfaced that Recaro Automotive GmbH (Germany) had filed for bankruptcy and was subsequently approved for self-administration by a German court.[17] The insolvency proceedings affect RECARO Automotive GmbH (Germany) exclusively and not any of the other automotive or commercial vehicle units such as RECARO Automotive North America, RECARO Automotive Japan and Joint Ventures in China. The bankruptcy also doesn't affect the aircraft, train and gaming chair divisions.

Recaro Group

[edit]

The Recaro Group comprises the divisions Recaro Aircraft Seating, Recaro eGaming, Recaro Rail and Recaro Holding itself.[18]

Recaro Holding

[edit]

Recaro Holding acts as the holding company of the Recaro Group and comprises the areas of strategy, finance, human resources and law as well as design, brand, communication and innovation management. The headquarter of Recaro Holding has been located in Stuttgart since May 2013.[19]

Recaro Aircraft Seating

[edit]

Recaro Aircraft Seating is a developer and manufacturer of aircraft seats.[7][20] The Aircraft seat production began in 1971 under license under the name Recaro Aircomfort, initially in Stuttgart. From 1983 the entire production takes place in Schwäbisch Hall.[7] Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG also has production plants in Poland, South Africa, the USA and China in addition to its headquarter in Schwäbisch Hall.[7] Recaro is the producer of the Recaro CL3710, one of the most renowned and popular long haul economy-class seat used on more than 50 airlines worldwide.

In 2004, Recaro Aircraft Seating took over the majority of AAT Composites in South Africa - a company that manufactures products for the aviation industry from fibre composites.[7][21]

Recaro Gaming

[edit]

Since the beginning of 2018, Recaro Gaming GmbH & Co. KG, based in Stuttgart, has been part of the Recaro Group.[22] The company presented the first gaming seat prototype at Gamescom 2018 in Cologne.[23]

Recaro as Licensor

[edit]

Recaro Automotive Seating

[edit]

The Recaro Automotive Seating division, a manufacturer of car seats, was sold to US automotive supplier Johnson Controls in 2011.[7] In 2016, Recaro Automotive Seating evolved to ownership under automotive supplier Adient following the spin-off from Johnson Controls. In 2020, Adient sold RECARO Automotive to Raven Acquisitions LLC and is headquartered in Clinton Township, MI, USA.[24]

Recaro Kids

[edit]

The Recaro Child Safety GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Marktleugast, which merged with the long-established Storchenmühle company in 2004, ended its business operations on 31 July 2018.[7][25] At the end of October 2018, Recaro Holding and Artsana Group signed a global license agreement. The agreement covers the development, production and distribution of premium children's seats and prams under the Recaro Kids brand name.[7][16]

Products

[edit]

Long-haul business class seating

[edit]

R7

[edit]

First introduced in 2020 as CL6720, it is a fully-flat mini-suite form business class seating designed for long-haul wide-body aircraft.

On January 10th, 2023, it entered commercial service with an Airbus A350-900 operated by Air China on the Beijing-Chengdu route.[26]

CL6710

[edit]

First introduced in 2014, it is a fully-flat business class seating designed for long-haul wide-body aircraft.

It entered commercial service with Boeing 787 Dreamliners of El Al Israel Airlines.

Premium economy class seating

[edit]

R4

[edit]

First introduced on the AIX 2023 as PL3810, the R4 is the latest premium economy class seating product.[27] It is 10% lighter compared to its predecessor PL3530 by using composite materials.[28]

In 2026, All Nippon Airways will launch the R4 with their latest batch of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.[29]

Long-haul economy class seating

[edit]

R3

[edit]
RECARO R3 with Panasonic Astrova IFE on display at AIX 2023, Hamburg

First introduced on the AIX 2022, the RECARO R3 is the latest generation of the company’s long-haul economy seating product. It has a 10% or 1.9kg weight reduction compared to the previous generation product CL3710.[30]

On November 6th, 2024, IAG subsidiary Iberia launched the R3 on their A321XLR.[31]

CL3710

[edit]
RECARO CL3710 on AIX 2018, Hamburg

Launched in 2014 with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on their Boeing 777-300ER.[32] It weights less than 12kg per seat.[32]

Customers

[edit]
Low-cost Economy Short-haul Economy Long-haul Economy Premium Economy Short-haul Business Long-haul Business
R1 SL3510 R2 BL3530 BL3520 BL3510 R3 CL3710 CL3620 CL3520 CL3510 R4 PL3530 R5 CL5710 CL4400 R7 CL6710
Aeroflot A320[33]

A321[33]

A320[33]

A321[33]

AF-KLM Group A20N[34]

A21N[34] B738[35] E190[35] E295[35]

A318

A320

A20N[34]

A21N[34] B738[35] E190[35] E295[35]

A332

B772[32] B77W[32] B789 B78X

airBaltic BCS3[36]
Air China Group A320[37]

B38M[38][39]

B738[39] A359[40] A359[40] A320[37]

B38M[38]

B38M[41] A359[40]
Air Europa B789
Air India A359[42]

A35K[42] B789[42]

A35K[42]

B77W[42] B788[42] B789[43]

B77W[42]

B788[42] B789[43]

Air Premia B789[44] B789[44]
Alaska Airlines B738[45]

B38M[45] B39M[46]

B738[45]

B38M[45] B39M[46]

ANA Holdings A320[47]

A20N[47] A21N[47]

B789[48] B789[48]
Atlantic Airways A20N[49]
Avianca B788[50]
Azul A330[51] A330[51]
Cathay Group A21N B773

B77W

Cebu Pacific A21N[52]

A339[53]

China Southern Holdings A359[54] A333[55]

A359[56]

A359[56] A359[56]
Condor A20N[57]

A21N[57]

A20N[57]

A21N[57]

Delta Air Lines A359[58]
easyJet Holdings A319[59]

A320[59] A20N[59] A21N[59]

El Al B788[60]

B789[60]

B788[60]

B789[60]

B788[60]

B789[60]

Etihad A35K[61]
Emirates A359[62]

A388[62] B77W[62]

Finnair E190[63] E190[63] A321 A321
flydubai B38M[64] B738
Frontier Airlines A20N[65]

A21N[65]

GOL B738[66]

B38M[66]

Gulf Air A20N[67]

A21N[68] B789[67]

A320

A321

HNA Aviation A333[69]

B789[70]

IAG A320

A20N[71] A21N[71]

A21N[72][73] A332

A333 A359[74] A35K B772 B77W B788 B78X

A388

B788 B789

A359[74]

B789

A359[74]
Indigo A20N[75]

A21N[75]

A21N[76]
JAL Group A359[77]
JetSMART A21N[78]
Juneyao Airlines A20N[79]

A21N[79]

B789[79] A20N[79]

A21N[79]

LATAM B788[80]

B789[80]

B788[81]

B789[81]

LOT Polish B38M[82] B788[83] B788[83] B788[83]
Lufthansa Group A319

A320 A321

A333[84]

B748[84]

A343

A359[84] B789[84]

B744[85]

B748[85]

A343

A388[86]

Luxair E295[87]
Malaysia Airlines A339[88]
MEA A21N[89] A21N[89]
Philippine Airlines A320[90]
Qantas A35K[91] B789[77]
Qatar Airways A21N[92] A359

A35K A388 B77L B77W

A333

A359[93] B788[93]

SAS A319[94]

A320[94] A20N[94]

Sichuan Airlines A19N[95]
Singapore Airlines A359[96]

A388[96] B78X[97]

Skymark B738[98]
Southwest B38M[99]
SpiceJet B38M[100]
Starlux A339[101]
TAP Air Portugal A20N[102]

A21N[102]

A20N[102]

A21N[102]

A339[103] A339[103]
Thai Airways A21N[104]
Tibet Airlines A19N[105]
Tigerair Taiwan A20N[106]
Volaris A20N[107]

A21N[107]

WestJet B38M[108] B789[108] B38M[108]
Wizz Air A21N[109]
Wow air A20N[110]

A21N[110]

Literature

[edit]
  • Frank Jung: Porsche 356 - made by Reutter. Delius Klasing, Bielefeld 2011, ISBN 978-3-7688-3270-0.
  • Uta & Helmut Jung: Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter ‒ von der Reform-Karosserie zum Porsche 356. Delius Klasing, Bielefeld 2006, ISBN 3-7688-1829-2.
  • Frank Jung: RECARO: Seating in Motion. Delius Klasing, 2016, ISBN 978-3-667-10313-0.


References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Recaro

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
RECARO is a German renowned for designing and manufacturing premium seating solutions, primarily for the automotive, , rail, and gaming industries, emphasizing , safety, and performance. Founded in 1906 in by master saddler Wilhelm Reutter as the Stuttgarter Karosserie- und Radfabrik (Stuttgart Body and Wheel Factory), the company initially focused on coachbuilding and automotive body production before pivoting to specialized seating in 1963, when the name RECARO—derived from "Reutter" and "Carosserie"—was adopted following the sale of its body division to . Over its more than a century of operation, RECARO has pioneered numerous innovations in seating technology, including the introduction of the first foam-padded sports seat with lateral supports in 1965, the RECARO Profi full-shell motorsport seat in 1974, and the world's lightest production automotive seat (weighing 10.3 kg) for the Porsche Carrera GT in 2003. The company expanded into aircraft seating in 1971, establishing RECARO Aircraft Seating as a key player in commercial aviation with early customers including Korean Air and Lufthansa. In 2011, its automotive seating business was acquired by Johnson Controls, but RECARO later re-entered the market independently, while diversifying into child safety seats (e.g., the RECARO start in 1998), truck driver seats, train seating through a 2022 investment in Growag, and gaming chairs via RECARO Gaming launched in 2018. In 2024, the licensed Recaro Automotive GmbH faced insolvency but was acquired by Italian investor Proma Group, maintaining operations. Today, RECARO operates as a family-owned enterprise with a global presence, headquartered in , and continues to prioritize lightweight materials, such as composite shells and aluminum structures, to enhance comfort and reduce weight across its product lines, serving major clients in , commercial airlines, and . As of 2025, the RECARO Group reported €588 million in revenue for 2024 with a positive outlook. In 2023, the company celebrated 60 years of dedicated seating , underscoring its evolution from a regional to a worldwide leader in mobility solutions.

History

Founding and Early Development (1906–1930)

Recaro traces its origins to October 1, 1906, when 32-year-old master saddler Wilhelm Reutter established the Stuttgarter Karosserie- und Lederwarenfabrik in , , initially specializing in saddlery, leather goods, and custom coachwork for the emerging automotive sector. The firm quickly adapted to the growing demand for motorized vehicles, expanding into the production of vehicle bodies and wheels, which led to a name change to Stuttgarter Carosserie- u. Radfabrik. Reutter's brother, Albert, soon joined the management, solidifying the family-owned structure that would guide the company's early trajectory. By 1909, the company had renamed itself Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co. and achieved its first significant innovation with the patenting of the "Reform Karosserie," a folding mechanism (patent no. 225555, filed July 24, 1909) designed for open-top vehicles, enabling easier conversion between enclosed and open configurations. This "reform body" represented an early advancement in , allowing for standardized yet adaptable coachwork that appealed to manufacturers. Early products focused on bespoke bodies for high-end chassis from brands such as Daimler, Benz, and Wanderer, establishing Reutter as a preferred for custom luxury vehicles in . Post-war, in 1919, Reutter shifted toward serial production of automotive bodies for both private and commercial clients, including ongoing work with Daimler and Wanderer, reflecting a transition to more scalable operations. By the late , the company had risen in prominence in the German automotive industry under the continued family leadership of the Reutter brothers and their heirs. This foundational period positioned Reutter for key partnerships, such as its emerging collaboration with the Porsche engineering office in the early 1930s.

Porsche Partnership and Expansion (1930–1965)

In 1930, the Stuttgarter Karosserie- und Wagenbauanstalt Reutter, founded in 1906 as a coachbuilding firm, established a close collaboration with the newly formed engineering office, becoming a preferred supplier for bodies and prototypes. This partnership intensified in 1931 when outsourced the majority of its bodywork to Reutter, including prototypes for various clients such as , for whom Reutter crafted luxurious convertible bodies in the pre-war years. By the late 1930s, Reutter was producing prototypes of the under 's direction, including 40 units displayed at the 1939 International Automobile Exhibition in . World War II severely disrupted Reutter's operations from 1939 to 1945, as the company shifted to wartime production and relied on forced labor starting in 1943, while Allied bombings damaged facilities in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Postwar Allied restrictions initially limited German automotive manufacturing, but by 1949, Reutter resumed civilian production, beginning with components for the and securing a pivotal contract from for 500 bodies and frames for the 356 , including interiors and final assembly. This marked the start of large-scale body production for , with the first 356 delivered in April 1950 after Porsche leased space in Reutter's factory. By 1953, as Porsche relocated its operations, Reutter fully consolidated its production in Zuffenhausen and assumed greater responsibility for Porsche vehicle assembly, ultimately crafting bodies for approximately 78,000 Porsche 356 units through 1963, establishing the firm as a cornerstone of Porsche's early success. The partnership reached a turning point in 1963 when Porsche acquired Reutter's bodybuilding division and its 1,000 employees, allowing the remaining seating and components operation—with 250 staff—to rebrand as Recaro GmbH & Co., shifting focus exclusively to innovative vehicle interiors. This separation enabled Recaro to evolve independently while honoring its coachbuilding heritage tied to Porsche.

Innovation in Seating and Diversification (1965–2010)

Following its independence from the partnership, Recaro shifted focus toward specialized seating solutions, beginning with the launch of the world's first adjustable sports seat, known as the Sportsitz model, in 1965. This innovative design featured revolutionary foam upholstery and distinctive side bolsters that provided enhanced lateral support, prioritizing driver and during high-performance driving. The Sportsitz was engineered as a retrofit option compatible with various vehicles, marking a departure from standard bench seats and setting new standards for comfort and stability in automotive interiors. In 1971, Recaro diversified into the aviation sector by entering the aircraft seating market, producing economy-class seats under the Aircomfort brand for major airlines including Lufthansa and Korean Air. These initial offerings emphasized lightweight construction and durability to meet the demands of commercial air travel, with subsequent developments introducing business-class innovations such as improved recline mechanisms and integrated entertainment features to enhance passenger experience. This expansion leveraged Recaro's expertise in ergonomic design, adapting automotive principles to airborne environments and establishing the company as a key supplier in global aviation. Recaro further broadened its portfolio in 1998 with the introduction of its first child car seats, starting with the RECARO start model, which incorporated an innovative aluminum structure and was designed to "grow" with the child through adjustable components. These seats complied with stringent European safety standards, including ECE regulations, and focused on superior impact protection and ventilation for young passengers. By 2006, Recaro had evolved into a full-range provider of child safety seats, covering all relevant age groups and ECE categories with models emphasizing crash-tested harness systems and ergonomic fit. During this period, Recaro secured numerous patents for advancements in seat adjustment mechanisms, such as multi-position recliners and quick-release systems, as well as lightweight materials like fiberglass-reinforced plastics and Kevlar-carbon composites, exemplified by the 2003 development of the world's lightest standard automotive seat at 10.3 kg for the . These innovations not only reduced but also improved and safety across automotive, aircraft, and child seating applications.

Ownership Changes and Challenges (2011–present)

In 2011, the automotive seating division of Recaro was sold to as part of a larger acquisition that included the Keiper business, with the combined deal valued at approximately $1.2 billion; this transaction allowed Recaro Holding to retain control over its aircraft seating, commercial vehicle seating, and other non-automotive operations. The sale, announced in December 2010 and closed in June 2011, granted an exclusive worldwide to use the Recaro for automotive seats while preserving the brand's integrity in other sectors under Recaro Holding. Following ' strategic restructuring, the automotive experience business—including the Recaro automotive seating operations—was spun off to form plc in October 2016, transferring ownership of those assets to the newly independent entity focused on automotive seating and interiors. This separation positioned as a standalone global leader in vehicle seating, with Recaro's premium and specialty automotive seats integrated into its portfolio, while Recaro Holding continued to manage its diversified businesses outside the automotive sector. In January 2020, sold its Recaro Automotive Seating business to Raven Acquisitions LLC, a Detroit-based private investment firm, establishing Recaro Automotive as an independent entity with approximately 425 employees and annual revenue of around $150 million at the time. The transaction aimed to enable Recaro Automotive to concentrate on its core expertise in high-performance and luxury vehicle seats, separate from 's broader operations. Recaro Automotive GmbH encountered significant financial pressures in the ensuing years, exacerbated by global disruptions, rising material costs, and reduced demand in the premium automotive segment, leading to an filing on July 27, 2024, under self-administration to restructure while continuing operations. In December 2024, Italian automotive supplier Proma Group acquired Recaro Automotive through an investment agreement, stabilizing the company and enabling the resumption of full production in 2025. has since been relocated to Proma's facilities near , with the entity now operating as Recaro Automotive . As of February 2025, the company forecasts €70 million in revenue for the year, with approximately two-thirds derived from seats for the , , and models. This acquisition has preserved the Recaro brand's legacy in automotive seating amid ongoing market challenges. In 2022, Recaro Holding invested in Growag to expand into seating, further diversifying its portfolio.

Recaro Group

Recaro Holding GmbH

Recaro Holding GmbH, headquartered at Jahnstraße 1 in , , functions as the central entity overseeing the strategic direction, , , legal affairs, , and for the Recaro Group. Following the sale of the automotive seating division to in mid-2011, the holding company was restructured to concentrate on these core functions, managing the brand rights and licensing while supporting independent subsidiaries in seating, gaming, and related sectors. The holding is owned by the Putsch family, which has maintained control over the group for decades, with Martin Putsch serving as a principal and CEO until early 2022, alongside Hartmut Schürg as Managing Director responsible for brand and design. In 2022, Dr. Mark Hiller assumed the role of CEO, continuing to guide the group's expansion and innovation. This leadership structure ensures coordinated oversight of the Recaro brand's global presence and licensing agreements. In May 2025, RECARO Aircraft Seating received the Best Managed Companies Award, recognizing the group's management practices. Recaro Holding coordinates group-wide initiatives centered on , emphasizing comfort, safety, and performance through advanced materials and design innovations. It also spearheads efforts across the organization, including the adoption of lightweight, recyclable components and lifecycle assessments to reduce environmental impact, with a commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. As of 2024, the holding provides essential administrative support to over 3,000 employees operating across nine countries in its subsidiaries. The Recaro legacy originates from the founding of the original company in in 1906 by Wilhelm Reutter.

Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG

Recaro Aircraft Seating & Co. KG was established in 2011 as a dedicated entity within the Recaro Group following the sale of its automotive division, focusing exclusively on aviation seating solutions. The company produces premium economy, business, and first-class seats tailored for major airlines, including customized designs for Group's economy and premium cabins as well as luxury premium economy seats for Emirates' fleet. These products emphasize , passenger comfort, and integration of systems to meet diverse requirements. Key innovations from Recaro Aircraft Seating include slimline seats designed for high-density configurations, such as the CL3810 model, which enables efficient cabin layouts while prioritizing and . The company has also advanced sustainable materials and design practices, achieving up to 15% weight reduction in seats like the CL3810 compared to predecessors through lightweight composites and optimized structures, contributing to lower consumption and emissions for airlines. These developments align with broader industry goals for eco-friendly , as seen in the R Sphere concept incorporating recyclable and reduced-impact materials. In 2024, Recaro Holding reported revenue of €588 million, with RECARO Aircraft Seating contributing the majority and achieving double-digit growth. The company maintains a positive outlook for , anticipating continued expansion fueled by post-pandemic passenger volume increases and a record exceeding €2 billion. In November 2025, the company projected double-digit production growth for the year, planning to produce around 150,000 seats amid challenges. With over 2,900 employees worldwide, Recaro Aircraft Seating operates global facilities including its in , ; production sites in Fort Worth, ; Qingdao, ; and Świebodzin, ; serving a wide array of more than 200 types across narrowbody and widebody platforms. This entry into the market traces back to , when the Recaro Group began producing seats under license.

Recaro Gaming GmbH

RECARO Gaming , a of the RECARO Group based in , , was established in 2018 as Recaro eGaming to enter the gaming peripherals market, with its first products launching in 2019. Initially focused on high-performance seating solutions drawing from the company's longstanding automotive expertise, the division specializes in ergonomic chairs designed for gamers, professionals, and enthusiasts, emphasizing comfort during extended sessions. The brand later transitioned to operating as RECARO Gaming, continuing to develop products that integrate advanced for both competitive and recreational use. A flagship offering is the RECARO Pro SIM Star racing seat, engineered specifically for simulator setups with features like an anatomically contoured shell, adjustable lumbar support, and integration of haptic feedback technology that converts in-game audio cues into vibrations for enhanced immersion. This seat, along with models like the RECARO series, prioritizes durability through robust construction suitable for prolonged, intensive use—backed by a five-year —and offers customizable options such as materials and color schemes to match individual setups. These designs support optimal posture, reducing strain during long gaming or racing sessions, and reflect RECARO's heritage in automotive seating innovation. The company has forged partnerships with prominent esports organizations and simulator collaborators to promote its products in professional environments. Notable collaborations include a strategic alliance with , announced in April 2025, to equip athletes with premium seating for training and competitions, and a joint venture with for limited-edition gaming chairs that blend motorsport aesthetics with functionality. Earlier ties, such as with PENTA Sports under the eGaming banner, underscore a commitment to the esports ecosystem, focusing on equipment that withstands 24/7 operational demands in team facilities. In recent years, RECARO Gaming has expanded its portfolio into office , introducing chairs like the RECARO Aer and RECARO Nxt optimized for and hybrid work scenarios, featuring breathable backs, adjustable armrests, and support to promote during daily professional tasks. In February 2025, the RECARO Aer and Nxt won the German Design Award in the "Excellent " category. This diversification builds on the core gaming lineup while addressing broader demands for versatile, high-end seating solutions.

Licensed Brands

Recaro Automotive GmbH

Recaro Automotive operates as an independent entity under a brand license from Recaro Holding , following its acquisition by Raven Acquisitions LLC from in January 2020. The company specializes in producing high-performance and racing seats supplied to premium automotive brands, including and , for both (OEM) integrations and aftermarket applications. This licensing arrangement allows Recaro Automotive to leverage the iconic Recaro brand, originally pioneered with the of the modern sports seat in 1965, while maintaining operational autonomy. The company's core product lineup emphasizes ergonomic design, safety, and performance for and street driving. The Sportster CS model features a lightweight shell with integrated headrest and enhanced lateral support, holding FIA for use in professional racing series. Complementing this, the Pole Position series targets everyday road use with models like the ABE, which includes HANS-compatible headrests for improved neck protection during impacts and is certified for European street-legal compliance. Recaro Automotive seats are available with various upholstery options, including genuine leather (such as exclusive seat leather or Nappa leather in certain OEM applications), synthetic leather (e.g., Ambla), and combinations with fabrics like suede (such as Dinamica) or Pepita (a houndstooth pattern). These materials are commonly featured in the Classic line, Sport seats, and aftermarket models, though some configurations use fabric or other materials depending on the specific seat and intended use. In July 2024, Recaro Automotive GmbH filed for insolvency at the Local Court of Esslingen, citing surging raw material costs, delays in OEM projects, and a challenging market environment as primary factors. The situation was resolved in December 2024 when Italian automotive supplier Proma Group acquired the company, retaining several key employees in Germany and transferring OEM production to Italy, with aftermarket seats resuming availability in January 2025. As of 2025, the company operates as RECARO Automotive Italy S.r.l. under Proma Group ownership, with production based in Italy and serving clients including Ineos and Porsche. Headquartered in Caselette, , Recaro Automotive maintains a strong emphasis on premium aftermarket seats and OEM partnerships, ensuring continued innovation in automotive seating solutions.

RECARO Kids

RECARO Kids operates as a standalone licensed entity under the Artsana Group, the parent company of , following a global, long-term exclusive license agreement signed with Recaro Holding in October 2018. This arrangement came after Recaro Child Safety ceased direct operations, allowing Artsana to take over the existing product portfolio, know-how, and brand rights for the development, production, and worldwide distribution of premium child seats and strollers. As a result, RECARO Kids srl functions independently from Recaro Holding, focusing exclusively on child safety products without ongoing operational ties to the parent holding company. The brand's product range includes -compatible car seats designed for children from infancy through booster age, all meeting the stringent ECE R129 (i-Size) safety standards, which emphasize height-based classification, mandatory side-impact protection, and rear-facing travel for extended periods. A representative example is the RECARO Zero.1, a versatile seat suitable from birth to approximately 105 cm (up to 4 years), featuring an integrated 5-point harness for secure restraint, advanced side impact protection with energy-absorbing materials and fold-out wings, and a 360-degree mechanism for simplified access and installation. This model, along with others like the Salia series, incorporates intuitive anchorage and support legs to ensure stable vehicle fitment, prioritizing both crash safety and parental convenience. RECARO Kids targets primary markets in and the , where products are distributed through specialty retail outlets, major baby stores, and online platforms for broad accessibility. The brand places strong emphasis on crash-test performance, routinely achieving high marks in independent evaluations such as "Good" (2.1–2.3) ratings from and Stiftung Warentest for models like the Salia, which assess frontal and side impacts, , and pollutant levels. Ease of installation is a core focus, with features like color-coded indicators and compact designs facilitating quick setup in compatible vehicles, supporting the brand's commitment to practical child safety solutions.

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