The Wing Group

In mission-critical operations, inflatable boats are often a crucial piece of equipment. But these are typically designed to match distinct specifications, not for a spectrum of demands. Closing this gap requires a mindset that focuses on the larger picture.

The Wing Group, and its companies Wing Inflatables, Henshaw Inflatables, Patten Company, Fabtek Industries and Mustang Survival, put this philosophy into practice. A global provider of inflatable boats, life rafts, dry suits, technical apparel and survival systems, it works closely with boat builders, OEMs and operators, always asking in-depth questions about real-world use. Every project is guided with the goal of improving outcomes while strengthening the internal capabilities of clients.

“Our only competition is ourselves, and progress is measured by improving on our last effort,” says Andrew Branagh, CEO.

The Wing Group caters to organizations across the recreational, commercial and defense industries.

A Culture of Responsibility and Solutions

Employees at The Wing Group are encouraged to move beyond the boundaries of their job descriptions, viewing challenges as opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Accountability and collaboration guide problem-solving. Clients value this approach because every interaction contributes to shared progress that ultimately defines success. This mindset shapes a culture that demands transparency at every level.

Their culture acknowledges mistakes, offers apologies when necessary and takes corrective actions to prevent them from happening again. The company embodies the widely recognized principle of failing forward, utilizing setbacks as opportunities to learn, adapt and improve; thereby helping the organization grow stronger with each challenge.

Innovation Rooted in Materials and Expertise

Success at The Wing Group is measured not by comparison with others, but by progress over its past performance. Since 2014, the Wing Inflatable primary boat fabric, in partnership with Cooley, has undergone five generations of advancement. Every stage of development has been in close collaboration with weavers to produce threads that are lighter and more durable, assisted by protective coverings that remain resistant to ultraviolet light and harsh environments. With every iteration, the team resists complacency, pushing the limits of material science to provide unmatched durability.

Engineering follows the same persistent approach, with a focus on practical performance and outcomes that protect people and equipment. Despite the inherent challenges associated with the imprecise shaping of inflatable structures, the company has consistently turned advances in materials into solutions that demonstrate reliability in critical conditions.

Its engineering prowess is best highlighted in the case of Wing Inflatable’s Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC), which has been in service with the U.S. Department of Defense for decades. The original flat-bottom design left operators, including Navy SEALs, vulnerable to injuries as 16-foot boats slammed against waves. Many suffered chronic back problems, concussions and neck injuries from the constant pounding.

The team committed seven years of research and investment to solving this problem. The result is a craft utilizing inflatable rigid panels, which allow for building a hull that has sharply defined lines. The craft slices cleanly through the water rather than slapping against it. Testing confirmed a 60 percent reduction in shock and trauma from wave impact. Today, the vast majority of CRRCs in the U.S. military use at least some of this design criteria in their varied designs.

Its pursuit for precision found the next proving ground in aerospace, where Patten Company’s inflatable structures were selected for SpaceX rocket recovery operations, a project requiring exceptional accuracy under harsh conditions. These efforts showcase The Wing Group’s persistence and innovation in creating solutions that perform in environments with no margin for error.

Building the Next Era of Inflatable Systems

The Wing Group has announced 2025 as the year of the manufacturer, an initiative centered on automation, cost-effectiveness and operational excellence. This announcement follows a period of robust growth and global disruption that underscored the need to establish ever more sustainable and robust foundations for the future.

A significant milestone is the establishment of an independent AI office, comprising three data scientists, programmers and a leader. AI now supports predictive quality control in its operations, streamlining research processes and prompting questions that the company previously did not know how to ask. These capabilities have enabled the discovery of new pathways to efficiency and innovation. In some cases, they are seeing AI help reduce the time span from concept to reality by 70 percent.

Automation is steadily reshaping The Wing Group’s operations. Sophisticated systems are being introduced on the floor, and employees are now contributing to value creation in new ways. Programmable sewing machines and specialized equipment have delivered a robust throughput gain of almost seven percent. This change relieved workers from repetitive handwork, allowing them to operate equipment and deploy higher-value decision-making skills.

“Our people are our single biggest resource, and every improvement begins with them,” says Branagh. “Every technological advance is designed to elevate their roles rather than diminish them.”

Resilience Anchored in Control and Cost Discipline

Onshoring further strengthens its foundation by protecting supply and quality in uncertain conditions worldwide. More than 85 percent of The Wing Group’s products are manufactured in North America using North American-sourced materials. This commitment protects responsiveness during global disruptions, and when combined with automation and AI, it secures a strong, competitive position for the company moving forward.

Adaptability shapes modernization plans with a pragmatic perspective of available assets and investment conditions. In every scenario, the focus is on minimizing costs and delivering a sustainable solution. For instance, the U.S. Department of Defense is actively evaluating options in unmanned technology. Instead of investing in an entirely new fleet, Wing Inflatables, in partnership with SOAL, has developed and already deployed a compact drop-in controller that converts the existing CRRCs into unmanned vessels. The CRRCs are already purchased, powered and sustained, and this unique solution enables fleet modernization at a fraction of the cost.

It is also evaluating two acquisitions to fill gaps in technology. By balancing organic growth with strategic acquisitions, The Wing Group positions itself for its next phase without diverting from its proven strengths.

The Wing Group is building a model that combines human ingenuity and advanced automation to deliver systems that provide safety, durability and measurable value in the most demanding environments. By pairing technical progress with a culture of accountability, it has earned the reputation of a trusted partner, providing solutions that work today while raising standards for the future.