AWARDS 2024 | Best Suspension Seating Supplier – Ullman Dynamics

Anyone who has driven fast boats in anything other than the most benign conditions will either have experienced or be envious of Ullman seating. It is undoubtedly both the most comfortable and body protective seating available.

Seagoing seating has developed rapidly since World War II and Swedish company Ullman has led that charge. It has largely eliminated the spine- and limb-breaking risks of high-speed seagoing.

For very good reason, Ullman, with its cleverly designed and very high quality seating products, totally dominates its market internationally.

"Choosing a suspension seat is quite different from choosing other types of equipment," Carl Magnus Ullman, CEO of Ullman Dynamics, told Baird Maritime. "Since the main purpose of fitting suspension seats is to prevent injuries and increase comfort, we see that customers do a great deal of research, before they decide.

Mr Ullman remarked that customers are aware that the company well advanced in terms of scientific research and technical development in the field of suspension seating.

"Getting an Ullman seat is always the safest choice," said Mr Ullman. "People also value that our seats that last longer than most boats, and that they require no adjustments, maintenance or pumping. I think the deciding factors for the customers is the performance of our multi-axial suspension, in combination with the ergonomic form of the seats, together with the reliability and quality."

Ullman Dynamics launched a range of new products in 2024. These include a new range of deck sliders that are lighter, provide more mounting options, and have better compatibility with the company's other hardware.

"We have developed our own proprietary track system for quick removal and reconfiguration of seats," added Mr Ullman. "This system is based on the international airline standard, and compatible with all existing fittings and hardware, but with higher internal clearance that ensures good function even in sandy, salty and dirty environments."

Ullman Dynamics had also worked with another supplier on developing and approving a new way of mounting cargo tracks using only adhesive compound instead of screws. Mr Ullman expects this approach will save time and cater for a "cleaner installation."

The company is also in the final testing phases of a new type of ventilated upholstery ideal for cabin boats and for use in hot climates.

"This should be a welcome feature for many professionals in Australia and other hot places," said Mr Ullman. "Almost all our developments and new products come from customer demands, and we love working closely with boat builders and end users, creating solutions to their problems."

Mr Ullman remarked that business for Ullman Dynamics over the past year was "better than ever," and so the company is optimistic about its prospects for the future.

"We have grown organically over the last 20 years, and we keep growing by 20 per cent per year," Mr Ullman told Baird Maritime. "There is a great demand for our technology, and to make sure we can meet this growing demand, we just finished building a new factory that would allow us to increase our volume four to five times."

In Mr Ullman's view, demand for the company's seats will continue to be "significant" in the future.

"We see a lot of copies of our seats popping up, some looking so similar that it may be hard for customers to tell the difference," he said. "Some companies even copy our statements and references, so we urge potential customers to beware of scammers.

Ullman said that, for customers who are considering fitting suspension seats on their boats, it is important to know that in most cases, it is better to fit a fixed (non-suspended) seat than an "inferior" suspension seat.

"The reason for this is that most suspension seats bottom out under higher impacts, and amplify the forces by up to three times. For the undecided buyer, it is best to test and evaluate the seats themselves in 'real' conditions."

For a list of the 2024 "Best Of" award winners, please click here.