Corporate locations Home About Us News Careers Support & Training Back to Previous Page OUR HISTORY Survitec Group was formerly known as the Inflatable Systems Division of Wardle Storeys Ltd. Its history dates back to 1920, when RFD was formed and named after its founder - Reginald Foster Dagnall. In recent years, the company has continued to expand and evolve, both through the growth of market share, and through the acquisitions of other leading manufacturers and brands, including the acquisition of Beaufort, which can trace its foundations back to the 1850s. Survitec Group is proud of its many achievements over many years of development. We invite you to look at our timeline below for some of our more significant and successful stories. 1920 In 1920, Reginald Foster Dagnall formed RFD Ltd to manufacture liferafts and soon became famous for pneumatic dinghies. 1932 The first inflatable liferaft was introduced and subsequently used during World War II. 1940 Original floatation life preserver named, "Mae West" was issued by Beaufort and used during Wold War II. 1950 Beaufort designs and manufactures the world's first fast jet anti-g trousers. 1954 Beaufort subsequently introduces the world's first submarine escape suit. 1976 RFD Ltd produces the first welded liferaft as well as introducing the infant version of the latest adult lifejacket. 1979 RFD Ltd manufactures the world's first Marine Evacuation System (MES). 1983 RFD New Zealand is established and shortly after, RFD Australia acquired. 1996 Eurovinil S.p.A. and RFD Beaufort Inc. (formerly Inflatable Survival Systems Inc.) were both acquired. 1999 RFD Ltd launch the first generation Marin-Ark Marine Evacuation System (MES). 2000 Survitec Group was formed and acquired Lifeguard Equipment Ltd. 2001 Survitec acquires rescue and fast boat specialists, DSB Deutsche Schlauchboot GmbH & Co KG; RFD Japan is also established. 2002 Survitec Group acquires WH Brennan and Co. in Singapore. 2003 RFD and Beaufort merge to become RFD Beaufort Ltd. 2007 Survitec Group acquired Survival-One Ltd and Shark Sports Ltd. 2010 Private Equity firm, Warburg Pincus, based in New York acquires Survitec Group Ltd. Survitec Group goes on to acquire Seaweather Ltd in the UK and Revere Supply Inc. in the USA. 2011 Survitec Group acquires the marine division of Cosalt, including Crewsaver and Zodiac Commercial SoLAS Liferaft and MES business. 2012 Survitec Group launches its 'Global Liferaft Hire Programme' at SMM 2012, offering customers highly competitive and flexible hire and servicing contracts, as an alternative to liferaft purchase. Survitec already has over 7,000 out on hire with customers worldwide. 2013 Survitec Group acquires Brude Safety AS, adding three Norwegian facilities as part of its expansion and growth plans into Scandinavia. 2015 Based in Toronto, Onex Corporation, one of the oldest and most successful private equity firms, acquires Survitec Group from Warburg Pincus. 2016 Survitec Group Ltd creates a market leader in safety and survival solutions by merging with Wilhelmsen Maritime Services AS Safety Business. Survitec Group Limited Head Office, 1-5 Beaufort Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside England, CH41 1HQ Pages Contact Service Stations Product List Sitemap Corporate Our Terms & Conditions Our Privacy Policy Our Environmental Policy Modern Slavery Act Social Media