Zodiac Milpro. Zodiac Milpro, headquartered in Paris, France, is a company that manufactures inflatable boats and rigid hull inflatable boats for the emergency services, military and professional users, including heavy-duty inflatable work boats that can carry payloads up to four tons and passengers for ecotourism, whale watching, etc.

Ownership
Headquartered in Paris, France and with manufacturing facilities in Delta, British Columbia, Roses, Spain, and Stevensville, Maryland. Zodiac Milpro was a business unit of Zodiac Aerospace till 2008, when it was renamed Milpro. In 2011 it was spun off from Zodiac Aerospace and it became an independent company.

In December 2012, Zodiac Milpro Group was sold by its parent company, Zodiac Marine and Pool, being acquired by Oaktree Capital.

The following year, Zodiac Milpro acquired the British inflatable boat manufacturer Avon Inflatables, which was renamed Zodiac Milpro UK.

Name 
Though Zodiac Milpro and Zodiac Nautic produce a large range of both inflatable and rigid-hulled boats, the name "Zodiac" has become synonymous with inflatable boats such as the FC470 and as a generic term for inflatable boats.

History 

The first verified recorded "inflatable boats" are probably the inflatable pontoons used by the Duke of Wellington's forces in the Napoleonic wars. The first modern inflatable boats were designed and built almost concurrently by RFD in the UK and Zodiac in France.

Zodiac, like RFD, had existing expertise in dirigible airships made from vulcanised rubber. Zodiac produced its first prototypes for the French army in 1934. In 1934, Zodiac engineer Pierre Debroutelle designed the prototype of an inflatable kayak. In 1937, interested in his research, the Naval Aviation commissioned him to develop a boat capable of carrying torpedoes and bombs. Pierre Debroutelle developed a new prototype: a U-shaped boat equipped with two side air chambers joined by a wooden dashboard: the ancestor of the modern Zodiac inflatable boat.

1934: Zodiac produced the world's first mass produced inflatable boat. The boats were popular for military use due to their low center of gravity, large payload, and sea keeping abilities.

In 1940, Zodiac invented the prototype of the first inflatable boat.

In the early 1960s, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Great Britain designed the first rigid hulled inflatable boat (RIB). This hybrid craft was developed for high speed, offshore sea and rescue operations. Zodiac Milpro continued research and development of this new technology and developed the concept into today's rigid hull inflatable boats.

1970s: Zodiac expanded globally, establishing Zodiac of North America and Zodiac Australia. In 1971, Zodiac launched the Avon SeaRider, the world's first commercial/military RIB.

In 1987, Zodiac SA acquired a majority share in the capital of Zodiac Marine Ltd. and a majority stake in Hurricane Rescue Craft Inc. and formed Zodiac Hurricane Marine Inc. (ZHM).

In 1991, Zodiac SA combined its Toronto-based distribution subsidiary (ZIT) with its manufacturing company in Richmond (ZHM), to form Zodiac Hurricane Technologies Inc. (ZHT). Today, Zodiac Hurricane Technologies is the world's largest manufacturer of professional RIBs.
 
2008: Zodiac SA sold the Zodiac Marine and Pool business unit to Oaktree Capital. Zodiac Milpro becomes a separate bsuiness unit within the new Zodiac Marine and Pool.

2011: Zodiac Milpro established Zodiac Milpro as a separate brand.

2021: Zodiac Milpro acquires Southampton (UK) based naval architecture firm Vectis Marine

2022: Zodiac Milpro introduced ORIA Marine, a data-monitoring service that supports decarbonization in maritime operations.

2022: Zodiac Milpro acquired Yachtwerft Meyer, a German shipyard that designs and produces custom-made premium boats.

2024: Impending sale of Zodiac Milpro announced to the press

Ranges 

 Zodiac Milpro Sea RIB range (from 4m to 11m)
 Zodiac Hurricane RIB range (from 6m to 13m)
 Zodiac Milpro Futura Commando range, multi-mission military inflatable boats
 Zodiac Milpro ZMSR and ERB inflatable rescue boats
 Zodiac Milpro Heavy Duty and Grand Raid professional multi-purpose inflatable boats
 Yachtwerft Meyer yacht tenders, limousines and custom projects

Users

 Royal Canadian Navy,
 French Navy,
Ministry of Defence Police,
Armed Forces of Ukraine,
Singapore Navy,
Royal Australian Navy,
New South Wales Police,
Hong Kong Police Force,
France National Gendarmerie,
Finnish Border Guard,
Guardia di Finanza,
France Commandos Marine,

References

External links 
 Official website

Companies based in Paris
Inflatable boat manufacturers