For more than 25 years, Signature Plating has been shaping the look and feel of the world’s most luxurious aircraft interiors from its home in San Antonio, Texas. As one of the leading AS9100D-certified decorative plating specialists in the market, the company has built a reputation for craftsmanship, colour innovation, and deep partnership with both business jet OEMs and commercial airlines.

But despite its US roots, Signature Plating is very much an international player. And it’s at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) where the company has found a global stage, the right connections, and the momentum to grow 66% over the past seven years.

We spoke with Zane Leake, Vice President of Sales, about Signature Plating’s journey, the moments that have shaped their AIX experience, and why he believes it’s the must-attend show for anyone in the interiors business.

For those who may not know Signature Plating, can you tell us what makes the company unique?

Zane Leake:
Signature Plating is an AS9100D quality-certified decorative plater specialising in interior finishes: custom colour anodising, decorative plating, and plating on plastics. What really sets us apart is that we’re not just a finisher, we’re now certified to manufacture parts as well. That means our customers can come to us for a one-stop solution: we build the part and deliver it ready for installation, already beautifully finished.

We’ve been around 27 years, we’re based in San Antonio, and have 74 employees. In the past seven years alone, we’ve grown our base business 66%. That comes down to partnerships, aligning with the right people and the right programmes. And AIX has been a huge part of that.

What kinds of parts do you typically work on?

Zane:
Everything we do is decorative: interior components where visual quality is essential. In a VIP or commercial airline cabin, so much time goes into choosing the carpets, the leather, the wood veneer. The metal accents have to complement that craftsmanship.

We offer around 200 standard colours and finishes, and we can colour match anything already out there. We also develop custom finishes, which is where the most exciting work happens, especially when designers are chasing something new.

When did you first attend AIX, and what initially drew you to the show?

Zane:
I’d visited AIX previously, before working at Signature Plating, so I already knew the scale and the calibre of people who attend. When I joined Signature Plating, we were doing six or seven shows a year around the world, all valuable in their own way, but with a lot of overlap. We’d see the same people, have the same conversations, and sometimes run into cultural or regulatory barriers that made it difficult to move things forward.

AIX was different. It wasn’t just another show, it was the place where all those conversations from around the world came together in one hall. The people we were travelling to meet across multiple continents were all right there. Even just attending as a visitor for two years, walking the floor, it was overwhelming in the best possible way. We were meeting people we’d only dreamed of getting in front of. It checked every box for us.

That’s when I said to the team: We’ve got to be there.

And when you finally exhibited, how did that first year go?

Zane:
I always tell people: let’s walk before we run. But we showed up that first year and we were absolutely bombarded. I remember looking at the owner of our company and saying, “I told you.” And he just stood there taking it all in and said, “Okay, let’s double the booth next year.”

We literally phoned AIX the moment the show ended to secure the space next to us for the following year.

The quality of people who came by, airline decision-makers, business jet OEMs, design studios from all over the world, it confirmed everything I had hoped for.

Were there any particularly memorable moments from AIX?

Zane:
Absolutely. It’s a small design community, and some designers are notoriously difficult to get time with. At AIX, they walk up to you. When someone you’ve only ever seen on social media before says, “I hear you do decorative plating. Can we talk?” That’s a moment.

And then there’s the funny story from our very first year. Our samples didn’t arrive. Total panic. But we had these decorative-plated mugs from a cocktail event we’d planned. So we put them on the stand, because… what else could we do? Then an Italian designer stopped, looked at them, and said, “This is the most perfect display of decorative finishes I’ve ever seen”. We couldn’t believe it – it was an accident! But he was right. The cylindrical shape showed off the depth and character of the finishes better than anything we’d used before. Now, we always use tubes to showcase our finishes. That mishap became a signature part of our stand.

How has the aircraft interiors industry evolved, and how has Signature Plating responded?

Zane:
Designers today want novelty. I remember sitting in on a design panel at AIX years ago, and when we asked what designers want from their suppliers, someone in the audience said, “give us something new.” That stuck with me.

So I took that challenge back to our team. We’ve developed new finishes, new highlight techniques, and we’re working on a brand-new finish we’ll be debuting at AIX this year.

But innovation isn’t just technical. All platers buy the same chemicals and equipment. What differentiates you is people  – your customer service, your programme management, the way you collaborate. We have what I believe is one of the best customer service teams in the world. That’s how you thrive in this industry.

And honestly, the future is incredibly bright. We’ve never been busier.

AIX celebrates its 25th edition this year. Looking ahead another 25 years, what opportunities do you see for the industry?

Zane:
The opportunities are limitless. The innovation happening, especially in IFE, connectivity, and AI, is extraordinary. Airlines are competing harder than ever to differentiate themselves, and they’re willing to invest to stand out.

For us, innovation in colours, textures, and finishes will continue. But across the whole show, I think the next 25 years are going to be mind-blowing.

What advice would you give to someone exhibiting at AIX for the first time?

Zane:
Wear comfortable shoes! And breathe. It’s overwhelming in the best way.

Target the people you need early. Calendars fill up fast, and AIX’s meeting tool, AIX Connect, is incredible for making advance appointments. Complete your profile on there. Use the dashboard. It makes a huge difference.

And be there all three days. You simply can’t do this show in one.

In three words, how would you describe AIX?

Zane:
Must attend show. It’s at the top of our pyramid. Our number one event. With the growing business jet presence and the established airline market, where else would you need to be?

Visit Signature Plating at AIX 2026 (14–16 April, Hamburg Messe) at stand 5A27 to experience their newest finishes, see their signature illuminated display, and meet the team behind one of the industry’s most innovative decorative plating specialists.