The name of the gentleman who originally formed the company was Reginald Foster Dagnall. However, RFD is colloquially referred to as Rescue From Disaster.
RFD is a subsidiary of Survitec Group Limited, sister Company to RFD (Australia) Pty Limited and RFD Beaufort Limited amongst others. The RFD group was initially formed in the 1920s to service the armed forces of the UK as a result of World War 1.
RFD is now recognised as a world leader for the supply of marine and aviation safety and survival equipment.
During the last five years, Eurovinil, ML Lifeguard, Elliot, Toyo, Beaufort and DSB have also joined the RFD network of companies RFD Beaufort, part of the Survitec Group of companies, was borne through the merger of RFD Ltd and Beaufort Air Sea Equipment Ltd in April 2003. While RFD Beaufort is a new entity, it has started life with a proud and prestigious history of leadership and innovation in the safety and survival equipment industry. RFD Beaufort operates from two sites in the UK, the Dunmurry site (formerly RFD Ltd.) and the Birkenhead site (formerly Beaufort Air Sea Equipment Ltd).