Boeing has signed an agreement to buy California-based aerospace interiors company EnCore Group as part of a strategy to complement growth with strategic acquisitions.

EnCore Group designs, certifies and manufactures plane galleys and seats for airlines. It also supplies products and components to Boeing.

Boeing expects its acquisition of EnCore Group to strengthen capabilities and increase innovation within the cabin vertical to provide customers with increased options, better products, as well as improved capacity and availability.

The acquisition includes EnCore Interiors, EnCore International and LIFT by EnCore.

Previously, Boeing partnered with LIFT by EnCore for the launch of Tourist Class Seating, designed to complement the Boeing 737 Sky Interior.

Boeing cabin vertical leader and vice-president of strategy Sheila Remes said: “With this acquisition, we aim to deliver quality and high-value interior offerings that our customers expect and passengers prefer.

“Boeing and EnCore have a history of partnering on products, and we are excited for EnCore and its employees to join the Boeing family.”

Cabin vertical is one of Boeing’s targeted vertical integration efforts to develop in-house capabilities in key areas, including those that strengthen the company’s customer support through Boeing Global Services.

Subject to customary conditions, the transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2019.

Based in Huntington Beach, EnCore Group has approximately 700 employees in facilities in California and Mexico.

The group has been a supplier to Boeing since its formation in 2011 and was previously recognised as a ‘Boeing Supplier of the Year’.

Boeing provides commercial airplanes, defence, space and security systems, and global services.

As one of the major exporters in the US, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries.

Boeing has more than 150,000 people worldwide and uses the talents of a global supplier base.