Deans Marine started in 1981 when the proprietor Ron Dean had the idea that parts for model ships could be produced on a part time basis to part finance his lifelong hobby of radio controlled model ship building. (Quote from the P.E.P. award brochure 1983)

Winning the Peterborough Enterprise Programme Enterprise award scheme in 1983 was a turning point for Ron Dean. Armed with the proof that his business study was a winner, it gave him the conviction to turn his hobby into a business.