Boeing 737 plane

BE Aerospace has won an $800m contract from Boeing to manufacture the modular lavatory systems for Boeing’s 737 Next-Generation family of aircraft and the 737 MAX, which is expected to launch later this decade.

BE Aerospace’s modular lavatory system (MLS) is based on the company’s Spacewall technology and will free up floor space within the cabin and allow six additional passenger seats on each aircraft. BE Aerospace chairman and chief executive officer Amin Khoury said that the company looks forward to continuing its long-standing relationship with Boeing to develop systems to enhance aircraft performance and passenger comfort.

"This award is part of our strategic focus to substantially increase our revenue content per aircraft through creative, sole-source product offerings," Khoury said.

BE’s MLS will incorporate the company’s technologically advanced Aircraft Ecosystems(R) vacuum toilet, LED lighting and tamper-proof lavatory oxygen system. The Aircraft Ecosystem(R) vacuum toilets are 25% more reliable than existing systems and components can be replaced in a few minutes as opposed to an hour in existing systems.

"Our lavatories are designed to increase airline revenue and yields while substantially improving the lavatory environment," Khoury said.

The company expects to begin deliveries of the lavatory system to Delta Airlines’ new 737s in the third quarter of 2013. BE Aerospace is also planning to increase investment in its modular lavatory programme and related waste water system programme to ramp up production of lavatory systems by the end of 2012.

The latest contract increases BE’s total contract to approximately $4.3bn, with a backlog of approximately $3.45bn, along with unbooked supplier furnished equipment (SFE). The company expects the SFE programme to generate up to $400m a year in revenues, especially in the 737 lavatory retrofit programme beginning in 2015.

Image:The MLS will free up floor space within the cabin and allows six additional passenger seats on each Boeing 737 Next-Generation family aircraft. Photo: Boeing.