What’s new in Sailing Valley Companies?

Find in this article brief information about companies in the Sailing Valley with links in French for further details.

CDK TECHNOLOGIES, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, delivered the first of two masts manufactured for the AC75 of the Ineos Britannia challenge for the 37th America’s Cup in early March, with the second to follow in May.

PIXEL SUR MER and B&G have signed an exclusive partnership for the development of a brand new offshore racing steering solution that the two entities aim to offer by 2025.

WEATHER MARINE INTELLIGENCE (see our article above) is considering a fundraising of one million euros in 2024 to accelerate the development of its research and applications. Founded in March 2023 and composed of 9 people, the company based in Auray expects a turnover of around 500,000 euros in 2024 and projects 10 million euros by 2028.

MERCONCEPT has unveiled the outlines of its project “Upwind by MerConcept,” supported by 11th Hour Racing, which aims to recruit, train, and support a team of six female sailors on the Ocean Fifty circuit, then to support one of them on the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe 2026. A selection process has been launched to compose the 100% female crew that will compete this year alongside the Italo-American skipper Francesca Clapcich aboard Armel Tripon’s former trimaran.

NKE GROUP, a manufacturer of electronic instruments for measuring and monitoring ocean environments, is considering launching a subsidiary in Asia after concluding various contracts in South Korea and China to intensify its activity on the continent. The objective would be, initially, to create a small structure offering technical and commercial services.

INO ROPE, based in Concarneau, produces ropes for a wide variety of uses. The company started with racing boats but its expertise is now much broader. It notably produces innovative mooring lines, less impactful on the seabed. Currently, they are supplying lines for Europe’s largest floating photovoltaic power plant, located in Haute Marne. They also equip numerous ports along the entire West coast.

SAILIZ, a young brand from Lorient, launched its first sailing dungarees this season, co-developed by female sailors, for female sailors. The dungarees are now available for pre-order on the e-commerce site along with the sweatshirt and beanie, and from June at partner distributors. Sailiz is actively working on the development of the SAILIZ jacket, co-created with female sailors for a late 2024 launch. Sailiz will also be present at numerous regattas on the 100% female circuit of the WLS this year.

GRAIN DE SAIL officially announces, after a series of sea trials under sails in February, the commissioning of its new cargo sailing ship Grain de Sail II with the first transatlantic departure on March 15th. It will connect Saint-Malo, its home port, to New York (USA) in about fifteen days sailing at a cruising speed of 11 to 12 knots. The new 52-meter cargo sailing ship in the Grain de Sail fleet will carry more than 250 pallets and marks an important moment in the modern history of sail freight transport.

FOIL & CO, which just closed its 2023 fiscal year with a turnover of 4.2 million euros, growing by 25%, to the point of claiming the status of the leading European foil manufacturer and one of the French leaders in wing foil equipment, is considering a fundraising of 2.5 million euros, with the ambition, within three years, to be among the top three global leaders in the sector.