Winslow Life Raft Company

What Winslow Life Raft Company does

Winslow Life Raft Company is a Florida-based manufacturer of emergency inflatable liferafts serving both marine and aviation markets. Founded in 1941 as the New York Rubber Company to build liferafts for Allied Forces during World War II, the company was acquired by John C. Winslow after the war and relocated to Sarasota, Florida, where it produced the first marine and aviation liferafts available to the private sector. Today Winslow operates as a wholly-owned division of Collins Aerospace (within RTX Corporation) and designs, handcrafts, and individually tests a portfolio that includes the Ultra Light Offshore, Super Light Rescue Raft, Super Light Offshore Plus, and Law Enforcement Emergency Pac for marine use, plus FAA TSO-approved liferafts for commercial, corporate, and general aviation. Its proprietary UltimaWrap vacuum packaging extends the required service interval to three years and the firm runs AS9100-certified operations with an internal MRO capability for both liferafts and aircraft escape slides.

The company monetizes through three channels: (1) hardware sales of liferafts in multiple packaging formats (hard packs, valise packs, and deck-mount canisters) plus custom pack design; (2) factory-direct and authorized-station MRO, recertification, pressure testing, and inspection services for the installed base; and (3) aircraft escape slide service for airlines and other operators (added in 2003 under AS9100B). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales with direct phone-based engagement, supplemented by an authorized service station network spanning the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and South America. Key customer cohorts include Fortune 500 companies, corporate jet operators, government agencies, top airlines, yacht owners, and sailing racers, with OEM supply relationships covering every major business jet manufacturer.

The competitive position rests on brand longevity (over 80 years), FAA TSO approval for aviation products, AS9100 quality certifications, and global service infrastructure. The business is capital-light relative to broader aerospace, with 11–50 employees and a manufacturing model that blends computer-controlled cutting with skilled hand assembly. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through direct quotes; the recurring service revenue from recertifications, combined with OEM slot positions in business jets and airline slide maintenance, provides a stable annuity layer on top of unit sales.

Name

Winslow Life Raft Company

Legal name

Winslow LifeRaft Company

Website

https://winslowliferaft.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Winslow Life Raft Company, a division of Collins Aerospace (RTX), designs and handcrafts FAA TSO-approved emergency inflatable liferafts for marine, commercial aviation, corporate jet, government, and law enforcement markets, complemented by global MRO and aircraft escape slide services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Safety Equipment

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hull & Structural Conversion (Lengthening, Rebuilds, Life-Extension) (IMAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Marine liferafts
• Aviation liferafts
• Inflatable life rafts
• Aircraft escape slides
• Emergency safety equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Mary

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Liferaft Manufacturing and Sales: Winslow manufactures and sells marine and aviation emergency inflatable liferafts as primary revenue stream. Products include Ultra Light Offshore, Super Light Rescue Raft, Super Light Offshore Plus, and Law Enforcement Emergency Pac models. Packaging options include hard packs, valise packs, and canisters for deck mounting. Custom pack design services also available.
2. Liferaft Service and Recertification: Factory service department performs routine maintenance, repairs, recertification inspections, and pressure testing for all Winslow liferafts. Authorized service stations worldwide provide ongoing MRO services.
3. Aircraft Escape Slide Service: Expanded service capabilities since 2003 to include aircraft escape slides used by many top airlines. Operations are AS9100B certified. AOG (Aircraft on Ground) emergency service available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Winslow LifeRaft Company designs, manufactures, and services emergency inflatable liferafts for marine and aviation markets. Its product lines include the Ultra Light Offshore, Super Light Rescue Raft, Super Light Offshore Plus, and Law Enforcement Emergency Pac (LEEP) for marine use, plus FAA TSO-approved liferafts for commercial and corporate/general aviation. The company also provides factory-certified MRO service for liferafts and aircraft escape slides through a global authorized service station network, operating as a division of Collins Aerospace.

Product overview

Winslow LifeRaft Company manufactures emergency inflatable liferafts for both marine and aviation markets, operating as a division of Collins Aerospace. The marine product line includes four distinct models: Ultra Light Offshore, Super Light Rescue Raft, Super Light Offshore Plus, and Law Enforcement Emergency Pac (LEEP) — all featuring handcrafted construction with vacuum-packed UltimaWrap packaging. The aviation product line encompasses Commercial Aviation Liferafts and Corporate & General Aviation Life Rafts, both FAA TSO approved. In addition to manufacturing, Winslow provides comprehensive service offerings through factory-authorized service stations, including liferaft MRO (maintenance, repair, and recertification) and aircraft escape slide service. The company has been a leading inflatable manufacturer since 1941 and entered the aviation market in 1994.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ultra Light Offshore Marine liferaft designed for offshore use, featuring ultra-light weight construction for easy deployment and maximum protection in emergency situations for recreational boaters and sailboat racers.
• Super Light Rescue Raft Super-light rescue raft designed for rapid deployment and rescue operations, combining minimum weight with maximum protection for marine emergency use.
• Super Light Offshore Plus Enhanced version of the Super Light Offshore liferaft with additional features for extended offshore voyages and enhanced survival capabilities for serious offshore boaters and racers.
• Law Enforcement Emergency Pac (LEEP) Specialized emergency package designed for law enforcement agencies requiring compact, lightweight survival equipment for maritime operations.
• Commercial Aviation Liferafts Emergency inflatable liferafts for commercial aviation, manufactured to meet FAA TSO approval and industry safety standards for commercial airline operators.
• Corporate & General Aviation Life Rafts Emergency inflatable liferafts for corporate and general aviation aircraft, designed for business jets and private aircraft operators; Winslow is the OEM supplier of choice for every major business jet manufacturer.
• Liferaft Service (MRO) Factory-certified maintenance, repair, inspection, and recertification services for Winslow liferafts, including pressure testing, fabric inspection, and documentation, delivered through authorized service stations worldwide.
• Aircraft Escape Slide Service Maintenance and repair services for aircraft escape slides, performed by AS9100B certified operations using correct parts, following CMM specifications with complete documentation and traceability, including AOG emergency service.

Quantifiable outcome

• Liferaft service interval extended to 3 years between scheduled maintenance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Collins AerospacecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerWinslow LifeRaft Company is a division of Collins Aerospace, which is part of RTX (Raytheon Technologies Corporation). Collins Aerospace provides the parent corporate structure and distribution channel through their commercial and business aviation divisions.

Scale indicators5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Survitec Group: Survitec is one of the world's largest manufacturers of marine and aviation safety equipment, including liferafts, lifejackets, immersion suits, and escape slides. It directly competes with Winslow across recreational, commercial aviation, and offshore markets globally, including through an authorized service station network.
• RFD Beaufort: RFD Beaufort is a leading global manufacturer of marine and aviation liferafts, survival equipment, and military life-support systems. It is a direct peer in both the recreational marine and aviation OEM liferaft markets where Winslow competes.
• Switlik Parachute Company: Switlik manufactures aviation and marine survival equipment including liferafts, life vests, and emergency parachutes. It directly competes with Winslow in aviation liferaft OEM supply and marine safety equipment for commercial and recreational markets.
• Revere Survival Inc. Revere Survival is a U.S.-based manufacturer of aviation and marine liferafts and inflatable survival equipment, with FAA-approved liferafts serving commercial and general aviation. It directly competes with Winslow in the North American aviation and marine liferaft markets.
• Eastern Aero Marine: Eastern Aero Marine manufactures FAA TSO-approved aviation liferafts and is one of the primary competitors to Winslow in the business jet and commercial aviation OEM segment. It is a direct peer for corporate and commercial aviation liferaft customers.
• Viking Life-Saving Equipment: Viking Life-Saving Equipment is a global manufacturer of marine life-saving appliances including liferafts, lifejackets, and evacuation systems for offshore, commercial shipping, and yacht markets. It is a direct peer in the marine liferaft segment where Winslow leads.
• Plastimo: Plastimo is a European manufacturer of marine safety equipment, including liferafts, lifejackets, and personal safety gear for recreational boaters. It directly competes with Winslow in the European recreational marine liferaft market.

Broad incumbents

• Zodiac Nautic: Zodiac Nautic is a global leader in inflatable boats and marine equipment, with adjacent offerings in marine safety and inflatable products. While broader in scope than Winslow, it competes in the recreational marine safety space served by Winslow's liferafts.

Emerging players

• ACR Electronics: ACR Electronics specializes in marine safety and survival electronics including EPIRBs, PLBs, and search-and-rescue equipment. While not a direct liferaft manufacturer, it sells complementary survival gear to the same recreational and commercial marine customers as Winslow.

Others

• Life Raft & Survival Equipment (LRSE): LRSE is an authorized Winslow service station and independent provider of liferaft recertification, inspection, and survival equipment sales in the U.S. It functions as part of Winslow's authorized service network but also services competing liferaft brands, making it an ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/winslowliferaft

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Winslow Life Raft Company