Immenstaad/Greensboro, March 15, 2024 – ZIM Aircraft Seating Group has restructured the leadership of its US business following the closing of the HAECO Cabin Solutions acquisition. Yvonne McConachie takes on the position of Chief Executive Officer, Brett Held that of Chief Financial Officer. The Greensboro site is thereby established as an independently managed unit with local decision-making authority.
Two experienced executives for the US business
Yvonne McConachie brings more than two decades of experience from the aerospace supply and cabin interiors industry. Her career includes ten years at Franklin Products, five years at Recaro, two years at Weber Aircraft and seven years at Airbase Services. She therefore knows the seating and interiors business from both the OEM and the service-provider perspective.
Brett Held is responsible for financial management, controlling and reporting of the US business. He spent seven years at Gilbarco Veeder-Root and five years at Jacobus Energy. His career is founded on eight years at the audit and advisory firm Baker Tilly. He completed his studies in accounting at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Decisions where production happens
Greensboro is more than a production site: with the FAA ODA and a fully equipped test facility, it houses its own certification and engineering capability. An independently managed unit with local decision-making authority is the prerequisite for making these capabilities available to customers quickly.
Collaboration with the site in Germany is close across time zones, underpinned by a shared product and growth agenda.
Statement by Yvonne McConachie, CEO ZIM USA
“Greensboro brings engineering, certification and manufacturing together in one place. That combination is rare in the seating industry,” says Yvonne McConachie. “My job is to turn that into speed for our customers: short decision paths on site, coordinated with our colleagues in Germany.”
