19 May 2026
As Polymarine celebrates its 50 year Golden Anniversay we look back on its buoyant history.
The Polymarine Story - 1976 to 2026
Polymarine’s story begins in 1976, when husband and wife team Peter and Dorothy Hodgkinson launched a small but determined marine business with a simple mission: keep inflatable boats afloat and looking good while they’re at it. What started as a modest venture soon became a specialist hub for all things inflatable, long before paddleboards and RIBs became the weekend must haves they are today.
By 1981, Polymarine had doubled down on its niche. While others chased trends, the Hodgkinson’s stayed laser focused on inflatable boats and the components that kept them seaworthy valves, accessories, and the kind of maintenance essentials that quietly save holidays, fishing trips, and rescue missions alike.
Then came 1986, when innovation took centre stage. New product development led to flexible paints, adhesives, and sealants the kind of clever chemistry that turned “Oh no…” moments into “Sorted!” moments for boat owners everywhere.
As the 1990s rolled in, Polymarine’s reputation was riding high. The brand became synonymous with reliability, consistency, and specialist expertise. In 1991, the company’s growing influence helped secure authorised dealer status for Avon inflatable boats, plus distribution partnerships with manufacturers in Poland and Italy. The Hodgkinson’s had built something special, and in 1995, it was time to pass the helm.
Enter Richard Wilkinson and Mike Cappa, who acquired the business and inherited a team of five at the Friday Street premises in Chorley, Lancashire. Back then, Polymarine was a lively mix of moulded rubber products, adhesives, flexible paints, inflatable boats, and outboard motors, with sales boosted by appearances at the London and Southampton Boat Shows and weekends on Lake Windermere.
A year later, in 1996, the company relocated to North Wales, settling into The Round House in Llandudno Junction. Boat and engine sales remained strong, but Richard and Mike recognised a bigger opportunity: expanding the inflatable care and repair range. With just one UK distributor and one European customer (who remains a loyal partner to this day), Polymarine began its international journey. A trip to a US boat show opened the door to a Florida distributor, and soon the brand was making waves overseas. Around this time, the now famous Inflatable Boat Cleaner and Finish joined the product lineup.
By 2001, global demand was rising, and Polymarine leaned fully into international marketing and export growth. But the marine world was changing. By 2006, low-cost boats and engines from the Far East were reshaping the market. In a bold strategic move, Polymarine exited boat and engine sales entirely in 2007, relocating to Colwyn Bay and focusing exclusively on what it did best: repair products, adhesives, paints, and cleaning solutions.
The next decade was all about refinement. In 2011, the company sharpened its service levels, boosted stock availability, and invested in technical support for customers worldwide. By 2016, a new filling line at Anglo Adhesives helped increase production capacity and reduce lead times. And by 2018, international sales accounted for roughly 50% of total turnover, proof that Polymarine’s products had become global go-to for inflatable care.
After more than 20 years at the helm, Richard and Mike began planning their retirement in 2021. A sale was initiated but paused during the COVID 19 pandemic. Long standing partners Anglo Adhesives & Services Ltd entered discussions in 2023, ultimately completing the full acquisition in 2024.
Today, in 2026, Polymarine has a new home at Anglo Adhesives’ manufacturing facilities in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Under new ownership, the mission remains unchanged: deliver the highest quality repair adhesives, cleaning products, paints, and accessories to customers old and new, while expanding product development and strengthening the brand’s presence across Europe.
From a small family business in 1976 to an internationally recognised specialist brand in 2026, Polymarine’s journey has been one of innovation, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to keeping inflatable craft in peak condition. Fifty years on, the company remains proudly buoyant, and still helping the world stay afloat, one repair at a time!
