Melchers and Innovint Co-create a New Vision for Aircraft Interiors
In the wave of globalization in the aviation industry, deep cooperation between Chinese and German enterprises is writing a new chapter. As a German family-owned company with a history of over 160 years in Asia, the Melchers Group established its aviation technical services company in Singapore in 1974 and has since been deeply engaged in the aviation market. Half a century later, its Aviation Technical Services (MATS) has helped many industry partners expand their businesses in China and the Asian market. Among them, strategic partner Innovint Aircraft Interior GmbH has officially passed the COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) Qualified Supplier Certification. This German aircraft interior enterprise’s deep integration with China’s aviation industry adds a new footnote to Melchers’ localized service capabilities. Today, we share the story of Melchers and Innovint.
From Garage to Global Stage: Innovint’s Heritage of Craftsmanship
On the other side of the story, Innovint’s journey epitomizes German craftsmanship. Over 40 years ago, founders Uwe Gröning and his wife Ursula started their entrepreneurial journey in a small garage, beginning with subcontracting the manufacturing of cabin equipment for aviation enterprises. What was once a “garage workshop” has steadily climbed industry heights. Today, in their 2,000-square-meter modern factory in Hamburg-Wandsbek, over 40 engineers and craftsmen infuse the precision of “Made in Germany” into every product. As a family business, Innovint’s heritage is not just about technical continuity but an extreme pursuit of safety standards—Innovint holds the AS 9100 (EN 9100) Aerospace Quality Management System certification. Its products comply with the relevant qualification requirements of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Additionally, Innovint has obtained the EASA Part 21J Design Organization Approval (DOA).
The “German Solution” for Flight Safety
Innovint’s product portfolio embodies a dual commitment to “safety” and “innovation.” In the realm of infant safety, its German-made baby bassinets, featuring active safety locks, lightweight design, and compliance with Airbus and Boeing installation specifications, have become a good choice for global airlines, ensuring safe and comfortable flight experiences for the youngest passengers. For accessible travel, the Series 2218 onboard wheelchair addresses operational pain points of traditional aviation wheelchairs with its 12kg lightweight frame, ergonomic design, and triple seatbelt system. Paired with a customized aluminum honeycomb storage rack, it achieves efficient use of cabin space.
In emergency equipment, Innovint’s modular first aid kits lead the industry, not only meeting the minimum mandatory requirements of international standards like FAR and EASA but also supporting airlines in customizing advanced configurations to secure precious time for in-flight emergencies. Confronting the fire hazard of lithium-ion battery devices, the PED fireproof bag and the newly launched PCP (Portable Electronic Device Containment Pocket) demonstrate Innovint’s breakthroughs in materials science and safety engineering—the former withstands temperatures up to 1,000°C, while the latter, as the world’s first solution certified under EASA special conditions, enables safe unattended charging of crew devices. This evolution from “passive fire protection” to “active prevention” redefines cabin electronic device management standards.
Melchers China’s Support: From Certification to Localization
In expanding into the Asian market, Innovint chose to partner with the Melchers Group. Year 2022 marked a critical milestone in their collaboration: the COMAC Qualified Supplier Certification process. This was not only a test of Innovint’s technical strength but also a comprehensive audit of Melchers’ localized service capabilities. As a strategic partner, the Melchers China team was deeply involved at every stage: from precise translation of documentation into Chinese and English, to compiling compliance checklists with side-by-side alignment of Chinese and international standards; from professional explanations of the baby bassinet’s flame-retardant properties and the PCP’s quick-release system at technical exchanges, to defending Innovint’s solutions before COMAC experts at the first audit meeting—every detail reflected the service philosophy that “success lies in the details.” During the months-long audit, Melchers China assisted Innovint in completing multiple rounds of improvements, ultimately earning COMAC’s high recognition for the German company’s quality control system and R&D capabilities. This success integrated Innovint into the supply chain of domestic large aircraft like the C919 and ARJ21, infusing “German precision” into “Chinese speed.”
Post-certification, their partnership deepened. Leveraging its understanding of the Chinese market, Melchers became Innovint’s local “bridge,” distributing full product line, including star products like baby bassinets and first aid kits while providing customized solutions for domestic airlines. At the 2024 and 2025 AIX Hamburg Aircraft Interiors Expos, the joint booth drew attention, showcasing the PCP (PED Containment Pocket), the first certified product allowing safe charging of crew smartphones and tablets during flights in compliance with EASA special conditions. Through technical forums on “material innovation” and “space optimization,” they introduced Innovint’s cutting-edge cabin interior technologies to China, fostering Sino-German technical dialogue.
Value Resonance Beyond Commerce
The collaboration between Melchers and Innovint transcends a simple local agency relationship, setting a benchmark for Sino-German industrial synergy. For Innovint, Melchers is more than a market access service provider—it is a “translator” of China’s aviation industry standards. When domestic large aircraft projects demand higher lightweighting and localization rates for cabin equipment, their teams co-develop adaptive solutions, ensuring seamless integration of German technology with Chinese standards. For Melchers, partnering with Innovint enriches its aviation business ecosystem, extending from after-sales support to OEM certification services and marking the upgrade of its localized capabilities from “product agency” to “end-to-end empowerment.”
The value of this collaboration drives industry progress on a broader scale. When Innovint’s baby bassinets are installed in C919 cabins and PCPs safeguard the charging safety of intelligent devices on domestic aircraft, every detail embodies the philosophy that “safety knows no borders.” Technical exchanges, such as applying aluminum honeycomb materials to storage rack designs for domestic aircraft, enable two-way flow of technological resources.
At this new starting point, the Melchers-Innovint story continues. With the booming development of China’s aviation market, the two will explore more fields. From a garage startup to a key player in the global supply chain, from precision manufacturing in Germany to a qualified supplier for China’s large aircraft, Innovint’s journey owes much to Melchers’ localized support. Conversely, Melchers’ continuous breakthroughs in aviation services gain greater value from technical partners like Innovint. This Sino-German partnership is a microcosm of global corporate collaboration in the era of globalization, a resonance between craftsmanship and professional service—when “Made in Germany” meets “Chinese speed,” and when deep-rooted practitioners meet like-minded partners, a journey of innovation, trust, and win-win progress continues to unfold under the sky.
