Avon Inflatables, the UK's leading RIB and Inflatable boat manufacturer, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year making the 2009 London International Boat Show its 50th birthday event. As one of the world's most recognised marine brands, Avon has introduced a host of revolutionary products to both the leisure and commercial/defence marine market over the last fifty years, a number of which will be displayed on their stand during the show.

Based in Dafen near Llanelli in South Wales, Avon has produced over 250,000 inflatable and rigid inflatable boats since it was founded in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire in 1959. During its 50 years in the marine industry, Avon has long been recognised as a world market leading brand and the Avon range has been synonymous with outstanding design, product quality and high performance. Avon has continually introduced some of the most recognised product ranges in the leisure inflatable boat market, from its earliest dinghy models including the Redcrest and Redstart dinghies then evolving through a comprehensive range of inflatables and RIBs to its more recent Seasport Deluxe and Jet RIB range aimed at the luxury yacht tender market. Amongst very many significant milestones along the way, the company introduced the first recreational RIB tender the RIB 310 in 1982, whilst always in the forefront of product development, during the early 1990's Avon recognised an emerging need for a lu xury tender for the growing motor yacht market and developed and launched the world's first 346 Jet RIB in 1996.

Avon has also been a key supplier to the military and professional sectors since 1961 when it produced and supplied its first lifejacket to the British Navy. This has been followed by a very large number of product developments designed specifically to withstand the demanding commercial and military environments and these are often in-house custom designed and built to demanding standards required for the UK Ministry of Defence, the RNLI and other key defence, lifesaving and commercial agencies worldwide. Avon were instrumental in the earliest development of the rigid hull concept in the early 1960's in conjunction with the RNLI and Atlantic College, the forerunner of today's Searider a world renowned craft still in widespread use worldwide. One of the company's major achievements along the way was the contract to supply 125 x 6m Seariders to the US Coastguard in the late 1980's. Avon Searider RIBS and Workboat range have stood the test of time and remain the choice of milita ry and professional organisations throughout the world.

Over the years, Avon's products have continually been put to the test in some extraordinary circumstances. Significantly in 1972, Avon achieved the record for the longest liferaft survival at sea when, for an incredible 117 days, Maurice and Marilyn Bailey battled the elements of the Pacific Ocean in an Avon Ocean liferaft after their yacht was hit by a 40ft sperm whale en route to New Zealand and in early 2000, Avon responded to the catastrophic Mozambique flood crisis by shipping a full container load of craft to help with rescue attempt of the stranded people. The company's 50 year history is packed with many such examples of lifesaving and humanitarian endeavour.

Avon have always been significantly involved in the world of adventure and scientific research and have long been associated with the renowned exploration endeavours of legendary explorer Colonel John Blasford-Snell O.B.E., supplying reliable craft to facilitate many of these ventures in remote and inhospitable and undiscovered corners of the globe. Avon's history is littered with very many other instances of the company's proactive engagement with a wide variety of adventure and research engagements worldwide.

Avon has a very strong foothold in the white water rafting market and has been a leading designer and manufacturer of custom built craft for this market for over 30 years. The company supplies commercial operators and private customers with a range of specially designed craft to discover and enjoy the thrills and excitement of many of the worlds otherwise inaccessible and thrilling rivers.

As such a recognised and trusted brand, Avon RIBs and inflatables have been used by TV and film production companies for a variety of purposes over the years including the filming of the groundbreaking Blue Planet series which took five years to make and most recently in the dramatic boat chase scenes in the latest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, where an Adventure 6.20 was put through its paces by the villains.

As a landmark event for Avon, the 2009 London International Boat Show will provide a perfect back drop to look back over 50 years of product innovation and achievements. Visit Avon Inflatables on stand S27A to see all the latest craft or log on to