On May 1, Thetford marks its 50th year a a leading supplier of sanitation products for the marine and RV industries. Continuing to set the standard for reliable and recognizable sanitation products, the company was founded by Frank Sargent and his two sons in 1963 after they recognized the need to improve the recreational lifestyle.

"I'm pleased to say that Thetford products have helped make the recreational experience what it is today," said Kevin Phillips, Thetford executive vice president. "We hold close to family values, treat people fairly and look for long-term relationships with our customers. I think these have been consistent threads through the company's history."

Thetford has had many industry-leading achievements in the past 50 years, including the first holding tank slide-action valve and low-profile, low-water-use and all-plastic toilets. More recently in the marine industry, the company's macerator toilets have changed the way sanitation is emptied and it has also developed a special Aqua-Kem® Marine formula holding tank deodorant.

"Innovation has also been very important. From the very beginning, Thetford came up with the right products, led the way in figuring out what the customer needed next, and stayed a step ahead of the competition," said Phillips. Thetford is not only a leader in the marine industry, but its employees are active members in it. "We live in the market. In other words, we employ people who are avid boaters and RVers," said Phillips. "This has helped shape our products."

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Thetford is the world's leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products for the RV, marine and heavy-duty truck industries. It is a privately-held company with seven manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Thetford subsidiaries include Norcold, America's leading manufacturer of gas-absorption refrigerators and freezers for the RV, marine and truck markets; Tecma, a producer of fine-china toilets and powerful waste-transfer systems based in Italy; and Thetford Europe, which manufactures high-quality cooking and heating appliances and accessories.

For more information visit: www.thetford.com