Bain's Japanese Plane Seat Maker Sees US Hub as Shelter From Trump's Tariffs, Sees Opportunity in Supply Chain Issues

Jamco Corp, a Japanese airplane seat maker acquired by Bain Capital, plans to capitalize on US tariffs to gain an advantage in the market. The company will focus on higher-margin first-class and business seats, which can cost up to $160,000 each, and aims to deliver products in as little as six months. Jamco's main production line is near Boeing's largest assembly line in Everett, Washington, and the company plans to fill the supply chain gaps caused by wait times for cabin fittings, which have blown out to three years. Jamco aims to pursue an initial public offering in five years and is actively looking for smaller acquisitions to expand its line of work.

Jamco Corp., a Japanese airplane seat maker acquired by Bain Capital, is positioning itself to capitalize on the current trade environment. The company plans to focus on higher-margin first-class and business seats, which can cost up to $160,000 each, and aims to deliver products in as little as six months [1]. Jamco's main production line is located near Boeing's largest assembly line in Everett, Washington, which could provide a strategic advantage amidst the global supply chain disruptions.

The company is aiming to fill the supply chain gaps caused by extended wait times for cabin fittings, which have reached up to three years. This presents an opportunity for Jamco to capture market share from rivals such as RTX Corp.'s Collins Aerospace and Safran SA [1]. Jamco's Executive Chair Kate Schaefer noted that the US-based manufacturing hub could offer a competitive edge under President Donald Trump's tariff regime [1].

Jamco's new management is rebooting its aircraft seat business and plans to pursue acquisitions globally to expand its product offerings. The company is particularly interested in premium cabin products for Airbus and Boeing wide-body airliners [2]. This strategy aligns with the growing demand for retrofits of aging planes due to the global shortage of new jets [2].

Jamco was bought by Bain in a $700 million deal earlier this year and is expected to pursue an initial public offering within five years [1]. Bain's Tokyo-based leadership, Masa Suekane and Nick Gattas, sees Jamco as a strategic investment in the aviation industry, with the potential to capitalize on the decade-long waitlist for new planes [1].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-05/bain-s-japanese-plane-seat-maker-sees-us-hub-as-shelter-from-trump-s-tariffs
[2] https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/bain-owned-japanese-plane-cabin-000416171.html