A Tilbury company received a visit from international diplomats earlier this week.
On Monday morning, Zodiac Hurricane Technologies, Inc. hosted French Ambassador Philippe Zeller and Jean-Christophe Fleury, consul of France in Vancouver. The pair visited in recognition of a large contract the company was awarded to supply the French Navy Commandos with up to 20 of its ECUME RIB (rigid inflatable boat) vessels. So far, 15 boats have been ordered totaling about $9 million.
"It's a large and very important contract for us," said president and general manager Jean-Jacques Arignon.
Zodiac designs and manufactures RIBs for both military and professional organizations, such as police forces and the Canadian Coast Guard, as well as private yachts and adventure companies.
The ECUME RIB is designed to serve as a multi-mission craft, allowing the commandos to use it in a variety of scenarios.
The rigid hull combined with the inflatable collar allows the RIBs to maintain stability and operate in larger waves and rougher conditions, making it ideal for military and other rescue-type operations.
Arignon said the company, which is the largest RIB manufacturer in Canada, ships vessels all over the world, including Italy, Brazil, France, the U.S., Poland, Russia and South Africa. Zodiac also supplies boats to organizations closer to home, including the Canadian Coast Guard, Vancouver police, RCMP, Canadian Special Forces, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Royal Canadian Navy.
"We produce and ship everywhere in the world," Arignon said.
All the boats are built in Ladner and, once completed, each one is launched at the Captain's Cove boat launch.
Zodiac, which moved to Tilbury from Richmond in 2001, has 115 employees, many of whom hail from the local area. However, with business booming,
Arignon said he is looking to hire more, including a project manager, drafter and assembly operators.
