Wilks

What Wilks does

Wilks is a UK-based manufacturer and supplier of marine fendering and protective trim systems, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Flexiteek International Ltd. following its 2019 acquisition by Flexiteek International AB. Founded in 1973 in Tollesbury, Essex, the company produces PVC and aluminium extrusion profiles — including the Click concealed-fixing system, ALI aluminium range, D, U, and B profiles, BUMP!, and Rigid PVC — designed to protect boat hulls, pontoons, and docks from impact damage. It serves two primary customer segments: OEM boat builders (Princess Yachts, De Antonio, Parker, Askeladden, Gulf Craft, Jeanneau) for whom it co-develops custom profiles, and retail boat owners purchasing direct via the wilks.co.uk e-commerce storefront, with secondary applications in equestrian and shopfitting markets.

The business operates from a single UK production facility housing an in-house toolroom with an archive of over 1,500 extrusion dies, enabling custom profile development with an average eight-week lead time. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales priced per unit length, with standard profiles from approximately £0.83 ex. VAT and custom/OEM orders priced on application subject to minimum order quantities (e.g., 80 metres for Click 150). Distribution combines direct e-commerce (UK delivery within 5 working days), a pan-European distributor network spanning 10+ countries, and direct OEM supply. The company holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, an EcoVadis sustainability rating, and was awarded the 2023 British Marine 'Excellence in Exporting Award'. Wilks maintains marketing presence through social media, blog content, fitting guides, and trade show participation at Metstrade and Boot Düsseldorf on parent Flexiteek stands. The legal entity was renamed from 'Wilks (Rubber Plastics) Mfgs Co Ltd.' to 'Flexiteek International Ltd.' in 2023.

Name

Wilks

Legal name

Flexiteek International Ltd.

Website

https://wilks.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wilks is a UK-based manufacturer of PVC and aluminium marine fendering profiles, serving global OEM boat builders and retail boat owners with custom and standard extrusion solutions, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Flexiteek International Ltd. since 2019.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Fendering / Boat Accessories

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (33661)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Docking & Berthing Systems (Fenders, Bollards, Mooring, Gangways) (IMAJALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Deck Fittings & Hardware (Bitts, Fairleads, Cleats, Anchors & Chains) (IMAJAIAK), Marine Parts, Accessories & Maintenance Supplies Retail (CRAMAIAB)

Keywords

• Marine fendering
• Boat rub rails
• Hull protection
• Pvc extrusion
• Pontoon protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Tollesbury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Marine Fendering Products: Sale of fendering profiles including Click, Ali (aluminium), D Profiles, U Profiles, B Profiles, BUMP!, and Rigid PVC. Sold in various lengths (1m to 30m) with unit pricing per length.
2. Fendering Accessories: Sale of complementary accessories including end caps (stainless steel), fixing strips, inserts, plugging/cord, and edging trims.
3. OEM/Contract Manufacturing: Custom profile development and manufacturing for boat builders, working directly with manufacturers on bespoke solutions with minimum order quantities.
4. Industrial/Non-Marine Applications: Sale of fendering profiles for equestrian (stable wall protection, horsebox rub rails) and shopfitting (wall protection, corner guards, handrails, floor seals) applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wilks manufactures and supplies marine fendering profiles (rub rails, D/B/U profiles, pontoon fendering) and buffer systems via PVC and aluminium extrusion from its UK facility. The portfolio spans concealed-fixing Click systems, ALI aluminium profiles, BUMP!, D/U/B profiles, Rigid PVC, plus complementary accessories, and is sold both direct to retail boat owners via e-commerce and direct to OEM boat builders for custom profile integration. Non-marine variants address equestrian (stable protection, horsebox rub rails) and shopfitting (wall/corner protection, crash guards) applications.

Product overview

Wilks is a manufacturer of marine fendering and protective trim products, operating as a trading style of Flexiteek International Ltd. The product portfolio centers on marine fendering solutions including Click (concealed-fixing), ALI/Aluminium, BUMP!, D Profiles, U Profiles, B Profiles, and Rigid PVC systems, complemented by pontoon fendering, accessories (end caps, inserts, fixing strips), and non-marine applications in equestrian and shopfitting sectors. The company produces over 93 products across these ranges, all manufactured in Essex, UK since 1973, serving both retail boat owners and OEM boat builders globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Click Fendering: Concealed-fixing system designed for leisure boats providing quick, clean installation without visible fixings. Available in four sizes (38mm to 150mm).
• ALI (Aluminium) Fendering
• BUMP! Fendering
• Traditional Range

Products and services

• Click Fendering Range Concealed-fixing marine fendering system for leisure boats with no visible fixings, available in four sizes (38mm, 50mm, 80mm, 150mm) made from UV-stabilised PVC. Designed for boat owners and OEMs wanting a clean, sleek aesthetic and quick installation.
• ALI (Aluminium) Fendering Range Aluminium hull protection profiles with flexible PVC insert, available in seven sizes (22mm to 83mm base width) with anodised aluminium for corrosion resistance. Combines elegant finish with high durability for boat owners and OEM builders.
• BUMP! Fendering Range Durable fendering system with hidden fixings, available in 53mm and 65mm sizes, in black, white, and traditional wood-look factory finish. Manufactured from UV-stabilised, phthalate-free PVC compound for leisure boat hull protection.
• D Profile Fendering Heavy-duty D-shaped fendering profiles providing high-level impact protection for boats, pontoons, docks and busy marine environments. One of Wilks' largest ranges, suitable for high-contact areas, and also deployed as anti-cast strips in equestrian applications.
• U Profile Fendering Profiles designed to fit over flange-style hull joins to cover vulnerable areas, available in a wide array of shapes to accommodate different rivet or bolt configurations on flanges. Used by boat owners and OEM builders for hull join coverage.
• B Profile Fendering Alternative visual style to D profile fenders offering strong impact absorption with design variety while maintaining durability for demanding marine environments, used on Jeanneau boats among others.
• Rigid PVC Fendering Classic alternative to aluminium fendering that can be heated to accommodate curves such as downward gunwale curves toward bathing platforms. Available with PVC or stainless steel inserts.
• Pontoon Fendering Profiles designed for ease of installation on pontoons and docks, providing lasting protection over wood with minimal maintenance. Suitable for individual berths through to entire marina complexes.
• Traditional Range Fendering PVC profiles with factory finish producing an attractive woodgrain effect, capturing the beauty of wood while removing maintenance requirements. Positioned as the ultimate alternative to wood for classic and traditional-style boats.
• Fendering Accessories End caps (including stainless steel), edging trims, fixing strips, inserts, and plugging/cord products that complement Wilks fendering profiles for finishing and reinforced mounting.
• Equestrian Fendering Protective rub rails and end caps for equestrian studs, stables and horsebox manufacturers, with D profiles acting as anti-cast strips to help horses regain balance. Trusted by customers including Shadwell Stud.
• Shopfitting Fendering Bumper systems for wall protection, crash guards, corner guards, handrails, floor seals and loading bay buffers in retail and commercial environments. Includes 30mm, 50mm, 52mm, and 922/F ranges, with deployment at customers such as Sainsbury's Beckton.
• Custom OEM Profile Development and Manufacturing Bespoke profile design, tooling and contract manufacturing for boat builders, working directly with manufacturers from product inception through to manufacturing with minimum order quantities. Supplied to OEMs including Princess Yachts, De Antonio, Parker, Askeladden, Gulf Craft, Jeanneau, and Hushcraft.

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• Flexiteek International Ltd.coreOthers · 1 January 2019Flexiteek International AB acquired Wilks in 2019. The Wilks company name changed in 2023 from 'Wilks (Rubber Plastics) Mfgs Co Ltd.' to 'Flexiteek International Ltd.' Wilks continues as a trading brand within the Flexiteek Group of companies.
• Baitra S.L (Spain)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Spain. Located at Montes da Barxa, 6 P.I. Porto do Molle, 36350, Nigrán. Contact: Juan Carlos González, +34 986 354 000.
• Oktogon CroatiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Croatia. Located at Domovinskog rata 10, 23000 Zadar. Contact: Ivan Prendja, +385 095 35 35 007.
• Strootranden.nl (Netherlands)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for the Netherlands. Located at Bothniakade 26-27, 8601 BM Sneek. Contact: Henk-Jan Westers, 0515 – 416741.
• Flexiteek FinlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Finland. Located at Peuramäenkuja 3 B 3, 02750 Espoo. Contact: Juha Hynnä, +358 400 724068.
• Chantier Naval des Venetes (France)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for France. Located at ZA Du Lesty, 56190 Ambon. Contact: Pascal Masson, +33 (0)9 74 53 34 26.
• Profillageret ApS (Denmark)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Denmark. Located at Aadalsvej 5, Gravens, DK-6040 Egtved. Contact: Mads Lundager, +45 70500365.
• Oktogon SloveniaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Slovenia under the Oktogon partnership.
• Oktogon MontenegroregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Montenegro under the Oktogon partnership.
• Oktogon SerbiaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Serbia under the Oktogon partnership.
• World Land Trust (WLT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlexiteek Group partnership with WLT, an international conservation charity protecting threatened habitats. For every 10m² of Flexiteek sold, donation made to fund reforestation through WLT's Plant A Tree programme. Supports partners in Brazil, India and Armenia, with over 44 acres planted so far.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Trelleborg Marine & Infrastructure: Global manufacturer of marine fendering systems, dock seals, and vessel performance solutions serving ports, shipyards, and boat builders. Directly competes with Wilks in marine fendering profiles and is the largest incumbent in the category.

Direct peers

• Polyform US: Manufacturer of inflatable marine buoys, fenders, and PVC-based boat protection products. Directly comparable product platform (PVC-based boat protection), sold through marine retail and OEM channels like Wilks.
• Taylor Made Products: Long-established US manufacturer of marine accessories including fenders, dock edging, rub rail, and boat care products. Competes with Wilks in OEM and retail channels for boat protection and dock edging profiles.
• Dock Edge + Dock Pro: Manufacturer and distributor of dock edging, bumpers, fenders, and marina accessories. Directly overlaps with Wilks' pontoon and dock fendering lines in both product and distribution.
• Taco Marine: OEM supplier of marine hardware, rub rail, and finishing components to boat builders. Closely comparable to Wilks' OEM-embedded model with custom profile extrusion serving the same customer base.

Others

• Flexiteek International: Parent company of Wilks and a leading manufacturer of synthetic marine decking. While not a direct competitor in fendering, Flexiteek's brand and global distribution channel are tightly coupled with Wilks' commercial strategy.

Regional players

• ShoreMaster: US-based manufacturer of aluminum dock systems, marina equipment, and waterfront structures. Comparable in marina/pontoon end-market, with overlapping customer base (marina operators) for fendering and dock protection products.

Emerging players

• Megaware KeelGuard: Manufacturer of keel and hull protection products for boats using polymer extrusion technology. Adjacent product category with similar OEM and retrofit distribution model to Wilks' boat-owners channel.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WilksRubberPlastics
• Facebookfacebook.com/wilks.co.uk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wilks-fendering
• Instagraminstagram.com/wilks_fendering
• Xx.com/Wilks_UK

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wilks