The French SME has just shipped its 3,000th Tiwal to the United States, a real success generated by a unique and innovative concept.

Marion Excoffon's slightly mad gamble in 2012 was to pack a sailing boat into two bags and send it sailing around the world. Now, 12 years on, the French SME Tiwal is celebrating its 3,000th inflatable sailboat in July.

Founded in 2012, French SME Tiwal designs, produces and markets inflatable dinghies. How did it start?

The idea of Marion Excoffon, Designer and Co-founder.  Her father refused to lend her his sailboat, so she decided to design and build her own. Her challenge? To fit a 3.20m long, 5m high sailboat into... two bags and send it sailing the world's seas.

12 years later, Tiwal has 11 employees and ships its Tiwal to over 50 countries from its Breton workshop.

Since its launch in 2012, Tiwal has taken the international route.  The company now generates 80% of its sales internationally, with the United States its number one market. It is also the market
with the strongest growth potential: +45% by 2023.

Most of these sales are made online, via the e-commerce site.

Emmanuel Bertrand, co-founder of Tiwal, explains: ‘The challenge of selling boats for €6,000 on the internet was not a foregone conclusion. In the current climate, we're delighted to have invested in our e-commerce infrastructure over the last few years. We're reaping the benefits today. It's a complex mechanism to put in place to be effective'.

The SME offers 4 models of inflatable dinghy, from family boats for family use, to solo sportboats.
sailing yacht.

The company intends to diversify its markets by setting its sights on Asia, where sailing is beginning to develop. Marion's goal: ‘A Tiwal in every port’.