Survitec Group Safety Innovations and Solutions

Survitec Group is a leading provider of safety solutions, with a range of innovative products and services that help protect people and assets.

Their products include life rafts, immersion suits, and other marine safety equipment, which are designed to meet the highest international standards.

Survitec Group has a long history of innovation, with a commitment to research and development that has led to the creation of many groundbreaking safety solutions.

Survitec Group's story began with a vision to protect lives in extreme conditions, a commitment that has shaped its evolution over time.

The company's roots trace back to the early 20th century, establishing a legacy of innovation in safety solutions.

Reginald Foster Dagnall, an airship balloon expert, saw a critical need for flotation solutions to save aircraft that had ditched at sea, leading him to establish RFD in a garden shed in Surrey, England in 1920.

The exact founding date of Survitec Group as it is known today is cited as 2000, but its heritage and expertise in inflatable survival technology stem directly from RFD's establishment in 1920.

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Before the formation of Survitec Group, the company was formerly known as the Inflatable Systems Division of Wardle Storeys Ltd.

Beaufort, another key part of Survitec's history, was founded even earlier, in 1852.

The initial vision was clear: to provide essential survival technology to protect lives in challenging environments.

Here are the key highlights of Survitec Group's founding:

The Survitec Group's early growth and development was a strategic and deliberate process. The company was officially formed in 2000, but its roots date back to 1852 with the founding of Beaufort, a key part of Survitec's heritage.

Survitec's growth was fueled by a series of acquisitions, starting with the purchase of DSB (Deutsche Schlauchboot GmbH) in 2001. This marked an early step in the company's expansion, focusing on survival equipment. The company continued to expand its global presence through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Revere Supply Inc. in 2010 and Cosalt Marine in 2011.

Survitec's focus on innovation and expansion has led to significant growth, with the company's annual revenue reaching $750 million as of June 2025, and approximately 1.5K employees across six continents.

The early growth of Survitec Group was a strategic and deliberate process that laid the foundation for its future success. The company was officially formed in 2000.

This marked the beginning of a period of rapid expansion, with the acquisition of DSB (Deutsche Schlauchboot GmbH) in 2001 being a significant early step. This acquisition expanded Survitec's product range and geographical reach.

Strategic acquisitions continued to drive growth, with Warburg Pincus acquiring Survitec Group for £280 million in 2010. This led to further acquisitions, including Revere Supply Inc. in December 2010 and Cosalt Marine in May 2011.

The merger with Wilhelmsen's marine safety business in 2016 was a major milestone, solidifying Survitec Group's position as a market leader. This merger gave the company access to a £1.5 billion addressable global market.

Survitec Group's focus on its products has allowed for continued growth, with the company's annual revenue reaching $750 million by June 2025.

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Survitec Group has a rich history marked by significant milestones in the survival equipment industry. The company's journey began with the founding of Beaufort in 1852, a cornerstone of its survival equipment heritage.

The Survitec Group has expanded its global presence and diversified its product offerings over the years. From RFD's inception in 1920 to the formation of the Survitec Group in 2000, the company has consistently expanded its capabilities.

Here are some key milestones in Survitec's history:

In 2024, Survitec made significant strides in innovation and safety, including the development of the Seahaven, the world's largest inflatable lifeboat, which earned two Ship Technology Excellence Awards.

Survitec Group has been a leader in safety for over 168 years, with a legacy that spans across diverse sectors. They've been protecting lives since their humble beginnings in a garden shed.

Their innovative approach to safety has led to the development of cutting-edge solutions, such as the Liferaft Exchange Program, which streamlined port operations and reduced costs in the maritime industry. This program was launched in 2008 and has been a game-changer in the marine safety sector.

Survitec Group continues to push the boundaries of safety with their latest innovations, including a new energy containment safety device launched in May 2024, which mitigates risks associated with valve actuator failures in the energy sector. This is particularly relevant in the North Sea oil and gas industry, improving safety standards.

Their commitment to safety is unwavering, as evident in their urging of fire safety reform for methanol-fueled vessels, highlighting the inadequacy of traditional firefighting methods. This proactive approach underscores their dedication to enhancing maritime safety standards.

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The New Energy Containment Safety Device was launched in May 2024. It's a game-changer for the energy sector, particularly in the North Sea oil and gas industry.

This device mitigates risks associated with valve actuator failures, which can be a major concern in high-pressure environments. By addressing this issue, safety standards in the industry have improved significantly.

The North Sea oil and gas industry is particularly vulnerable to valve actuator failures, making this device a crucial innovation. Its impact will be felt for years to come.

Launched in May 2024, the New Energy Containment Safety Device is a testament to the power of innovation in improving safety standards.

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The Norwegian ferry, Zero Cat, is set to enter service next year with a state-of-the-art escape slide system. This system, developed by Survitec Group, is an all-electric ESS MES automatic escape slide system that can be launched and ready for passenger use with the touch of a button.

The Zero Cat ferry is the first Norwegian vessel to be equipped with this advanced system, which is seen as an important safety benefit, especially in emergency situations where crew members may be busy with other tasks.

Survitec Group's ESS MES system is designed to provide a quick and easy escape route for passengers in the event of an emergency, giving them a safe way off the vessel. This system is a significant upgrade over traditional escape slide systems, which often require manual intervention from the crew.

The Zero Cat ferry's escape slide system is a testament to the innovative spirit of the maritime industry, where safety and efficiency are constantly being improved upon.

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Survitec Group has been a pioneer in offshore platform safety for decades, and their latest innovation is a new davit-launched liferaft designed to meet the escape and survival needs of workers, passengers, and crew on offshore platforms or high freeboard vessels.

This liferaft is the newest addition to the comprehensive range of escape slides and rafts manufactured under the SurvitecZodiac brand, incorporating the latest expertise and innovation in escape equipment design and technology.

The offshore market is emerging from its recent low-point, while the offshore wind market has grown exponentially over the last decade, creating a need for more advanced safety solutions like this liferaft.

Survitec Group's restructured offshore division is well-positioned to serve customers with assets operating in the oil, gas, and wind energy sectors, providing tailored solutions to meet their specific needs.

This liferaft is part of the Survitec Group's broad range of Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) for offshore platforms and vessels, ensuring that workers can safely escape and be rescued in emergency situations.

The liferaft is designed to be a crucial component of a comprehensive offshore safety plan, which should include regular maintenance, training, and emergency preparedness.

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Survitec Group has made significant partnerships and acquisitions to expand its reach and offerings. The company has a five-year contract with Total E&P UK Ltd for lifesaving equipment maintenance services.

This contract adds to an existing contract for lifeboat maintenance services and covers the offshore Alwyn/Dunbar and Elgin/Franklin fields. Survitec is providing a full range of lifesaving apparatus, including new lifejackets, immersion suits, and liferafts.

Survitec has also completed a merger with Wilhelmsen’s marine safety business, creating a combined business under the name Survitec Group. This deal has given the company access to a £1.5 billion addressable global market and over 3,000 employees in more than 35 countries.

The combined group has a revenue of ~c.£400m and will create value for customers as a result of cost and revenue synergies and the end-to-end marine safety offering.

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Survitec Group has formed a partnership with Ocenco to meet the high demand for replacement Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs).

The partnership was formed to replace thousands of M-20.2 EEBDs that are reaching the end of their 15-year service life. This is a result of SOLAS amendment regulations that came into force on 1 July 2002, requiring vessels to be equipped with EEBDs.

Survitec and Ocenco have agreed to work together to meet the high demand for replacement units, which is expected to be significant as the first wave of products purchased to satisfy SOLAS regulations are approaching their expiration date in 2017.

This partnership highlights the importance of adapting to changing regulations and industry needs, a key aspect of Survitec's commitment to enhancing maritime safety standards.

Survitec Group has completed its merger with Wilhelmsen's marine safety business, creating a significant player in the marine and defence markets.

The combined business will operate under the name Survitec Group, with access to a £1.5 billion addressable global market. This presents a huge opportunity for the company to expand its reach and offerings.

Survitec Group now has over 3,000 employees in more than 35 countries, allowing for a more global and diverse workforce.

The combined group will have a revenue of around £400 million, with the potential for cost and revenue synergies to create value for customers.

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Survitec Group offers a range of Marine Evacuation Systems (MES) that can be tailored to suit every type of vessel, from small high speed ferries to large cruise ships.

Their MES range includes systems manufactured under the RFD, SurvitecZodiac, DSB, RFD Toyo, DBC, and Brude brand names.

The DSB Cat-Slide MES is designed for smaller ferries and passenger vessels with low freeboards, and is easy to operate with minimal input from the ship's crew.

Survitec's Global Liferaft Hire program is the largest service network of any liferaft manufacturer in the world.

Their Crewsaver lifejackets are also showcased at SMM, highlighting the company's commitment to providing comprehensive safety solutions.

SurvitecZodiac escape slides are designed for quick and easy deployment, and can be launched at the touch of a button without any crew involvement.

The fully automatic ESS (Escape Slide System) MES escape slide system is one of the most advanced on the market, making it a standout feature at SMM.

Brude telescopic gangways and Brude fast rescue boats, such as the HD 720, are also part of Survitec's product showcase at the exhibition.

Their Brude KOPAS and SurvitecZodiac Evacuation Slide systems are designed for smaller ferries and passenger vessels, and are easy to operate with minimal crew input.

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The Survitec Group has received the SPE Award for their outstanding contributions to offshore safety.

The Safety Innovations Award, given by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), recognizes excellence in innovative technology and products that contribute to offshore safety.

Their two safety and survival systems developed for the UK's offshore sector won the award, showcasing their industry-leading importance.

These systems contribute to the overall objective of improving individual, plant or operational safety in the offshore energy sector, including oil and gas and all forms of renewables.

Their innovative technology and products have made a significant impact on offshore safety, earning them this prestigious award.

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Survitec Group has made significant strides in the electric vehicle industry with their innovative solutions. They offer a range of products designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of electric vehicles.

Their electric vehicle solutions include battery management systems, which help to extend the lifespan of electric vehicle batteries. This is achieved through advanced charging and discharging algorithms that prevent battery degradation.

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Survitec Group's expertise in fire protection systems is also relevant to electric vehicles, as they provide solutions to prevent fires in electric vehicle batteries. Their fire protection systems are designed to detect and respond to potential fires quickly.

Their products are designed to meet the specific needs of electric vehicle manufacturers, with a focus on safety, efficiency, and reliability.

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Survitec Group has recently made a significant addition to their team. Ross Wilkinson has joined the company as Managing Director, bringing with him a wealth of experience.

Wilkinson comes from Orolia Limited, where he was General Manager and Maritime Business Unit Manager. His background in sales and management will likely play a key role in promoting worldwide sales growth for the Crewsaver Commercial and Leisure ranges.

With twelve years of experience at Navimo, including time as Director of Sales and General Manager of Navimo UK, Wilkinson is well-equipped to develop and maintain an effective sales distribution and service network for Survitec Group.

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Survitec Group has made a significant move by hiring Ross Wilkinson as their new Managing Director.

Ross brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously worked at Orolia Limited, where he was General Manager and Maritime Business Unit Manager.

Wilkinson's appointment is expected to boost worldwide sales growth and develop an effective sales distribution and service network for the Crewsaver Commercial and Leisure ranges.

Ross spent twelve years with Navimo, starting as Director of Sales before becoming General Manager of Navimo UK.

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Survitec Group will be exhibiting at SMM 2014, showcasing its range of Marine Evacuation Systems (MES).

Visitors can expect to see systems for vessels of all sizes, from small high speed ferries to large cruise ships. The company has been developing its MES range since launching the world's first MES in 1979.

At the exhibition, Survitec will be highlighting its RFD, SurvitecZodiac, DSB, DBC, and Brude brand names, which offer a range of systems for smaller ferries and passenger vessels with low freeboards.

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Easy-to-operate systems like the DSB Cat-Slide MES, Brude KOPAS, and SurvitecZodiac Evacuation Slide systems can be deployed with minimal input from the ship's crew.

Survitec will also be promoting its Global Liferaft Hire program, which leverages the largest service network of any liferaft manufacturer in the world.

At the Survitec Group Stand (Hall B5, Booth 324), visitors can see the company's SurvitecZodiac range of escape slides and liferafts, including the fully automatic ESS (Escape Slide System) MES escape slide system that can be launched at the touch of a button.

Survitec Group has been a leader in safety equipment for over 168 years, starting with RFD's pioneering survival equipment in the early 20th century. The company has since expanded its reach, becoming synonymous with marine safety and aviation safety.

Survitec Group offers cutting-edge solutions, including lifejackets, liferafts, and marine evacuation systems. Their lifejackets, for example, are custom-designed for offshore personnel carrying out rope access or work at height.

The company's liferafts are designed to meet the escape and survival needs of workers, passengers, and crew on offshore platforms or high freeboard vessels. Survitec Group supplies and maintains around 85% of lifejackets and liferafts to the offshore industry in the northern, central, and southern North Sea.

Survitec Group's marine evacuation systems (MES) can be supplied to suit every type of vessel, from small high-speed ferries to large cruise ships. The company has been developing its MES range since 1979, when it launched the world's first MES.

Fire Safety Reform is crucial to prevent devastating fires on methanol-fueled vessels.

Survitec is taking a proactive approach to enhance maritime safety standards by urging fire safety reform for methanol-fueled vessels.

P&O Ferries has recently installed two new Survitec BRUDE Explorer-720 fast rescue boats on their vessels, the Pride of York and the Pride of Bruges.

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These boats are 7.4m in length and have proven reliability, maneuverability, and sea-keeping abilities. They're perfect for search and recovery, dive support, and workboat duties.

The Survitec BRUDE Explorer-720 has been specifically designed for fast and efficient rescue operations, which is crucial for ferry services operating on busy routes like the North Sea.

Survitec Group, the company behind these innovative rescue boats, has a rich history of over 168 years, starting from a humble beginning in a garden shed.

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The Survitec Group has developed a custom-designed lifejacket for offshore personnel working at heights. This is a game-changer for industries that require rope access or work at height.

The lifejacket has been designed in conjunction with leading offshore operators and incorporates safety features to minimize the risk of accidental deployment. It's been trialled successfully both on and offshore, working in conjunction with a fall arrest harness.

Survitec Group supplies and maintains around 85% of lifejackets and liferafts to the offshore industry in the northern, central and southern North Sea. This level of expertise is a testament to their commitment to life safety solutions.

Survitec Group is a leading manufacturer of personal survival equipment for usage after ejecting from aircraft or when at sea. Their experience in creating lifejackets for these scenarios has likely informed their design of the lifejacket for heights work.

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Survitec Group has been a leader in safety for over 168 years, with a legacy that spans from a humble beginning in a garden shed to a global powerhouse. The company has consistently innovated and adapted to the needs of the marine and aviation safety sectors.

Their commitment to survival is evident in their pioneering survival equipment in the early 20th century. This marked the beginning of their journey to becoming synonymous with marine safety and aviation safety.

Survitec Group has developed cutting-edge solutions to improve safety and efficiency in the maritime industry. One notable example is the Liferaft Exchange Program, launched in 2008, which streamlined port operations and reduced capital costs.

Their dedication to safety is not limited to the maritime industry. Survitec has also developed innovative products for the offshore industry, such as the first lifejacket custom-designed specifically for offshore personnel carrying out rope access or work at height.

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Their commitment to sustainability is also noteworthy. Survitec aims to reduce its total carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and by 80% by 2050. They are also driving the development of new safety regulations to support sustainable and autonomous ship designs.

Here are some of the key products and services offered by Survitec Group:

Survitec Group has also made significant investments in expanding its global presence and service offerings. They have acquired several companies, including Vinyl Technology in the US and Hansen Protection, and have expanded its Fujairah service station to meet rising Middle East demand.