News from Bretagne Sailing Valley firms

CDK TECHNOLOGIES has announced the arrival of Ronan Lucas, who left the management of Team Banque Populaire in March, as Director of Operations from August 2025.

SAILIZ is currently developing a new inshore salopette designed for coastal sailing and powerboating. ‘This new product is aimed at all those who sail inshore, offshore or motor yachts, and who want high-performance, durable equipment that has been designed with them in mind’, explains Solène Saclier, founder of Sailiz. The overalls, which are due to be launched in spring 2026 – prototypes will be tested this summer – will add to the range of women’s sailing equipment developed by Sailiz.

MULTIPLAST has been entrusted with the construction of floats to equip the future FF72s, water bomber aircraft designed to fight forest fires, developed by the French manufacturer Positive Aviation from reconfigured ATR 72s. The Vannes shipyard will also be building Yoann Richomme’s next Imoca Paprec Arkéa, the Antoine Koch design expected at the end of the first quarter of 2027.

On 1 July 2025, the Université Bretagne Sud (UBS) and SATT Ouest Valorisation launched UBSIDE, a Business Unit designed to respond directly to the innovation needs of companies. Drawing on the recognised expertise of the UBS laboratories and the Institut Régional des Matériaux Avancés (IRMA), UBSIDE gives companies easier access to targeted scientific skills, cutting-edge technology platforms and tailor-made R&D, consulting and training solutions. Its aim is to accelerate your projects, remove your technological obstacles and transform your industrial challenges into concrete opportunities for innovation.

PIXEL SUR MER was awarded the Acceleration Prize at the Morbihan Oscars held in Lanester at the end of March. The award recognises the company’s sustained growth and its role in the region’s economic and technological development. ‘This award is not only recognition of our collective efforts, but also a reflection of Pixel sur Mer’s constant commitment to innovation and meeting challenges,’ commented Stéphanie Cuzon, co-founder and CEO of the Lorient-based company.

Following the return from the Vendée Globe, GUELT NAUTIC has been heavily involved in the winter refit of a number of Imoca boats. The Quimperlé yard is currently involved in the manufacture of major parts (mast step, outriggers, boom components, deck fittings, etc.) for several 60-footers, while actively collaborating on the development of the future Gitana 18 and other Ultim projects. The company’s expertise is also in demand in the wind-assistant propulsion sector, with ongoing collaborations on the Wisamo, Vela and Towt projects.

MARINE FILTER, a company run by Jean-Yvon Turpaud and Jean-Pierre Bourhis, won an award at the Lépine 2025 competition in Paris last May for its innovative concept of a self-contained, mobile shower with water recycling and filtration, particularly for use on beaches and islands. The project was awarded second place and the silver medal in the prestigious competition, as well as the CMA France trophy, the top prize awarded by France’s Chamber of Trades and Crafts.

On 16 June, MMAG (Marine Mammal Advisory Group) took part in a workshop on collisions between cetaceans and ships at the Oceans 2025 conference in Brest, on the theme of ‘Measuring the extent of collisions with marine fauna in the sailing sector’. The MMAG brings together a group of players working together to find solutions to the risks of collisions at sea, thanks to a reference tool, the Marine Strike Log, which informs and raises awareness among organisers of sailing events of the potential dangers, and promotes risk prevention strategies.

CHALLENGE OCEAN is selling its three Challenge 67 and Volvo 60 monohulls due to retirement. Possibility of taking over the Ecole Française de Croisière business in Lorient La Base (56). For more information, click here.

AZIMUT has deployed its Capline registration and race management software on the 2025 Tour de Belle-Île, enabling the event to be run smoothly and saving OC Sport Pen Duick, the organiser, a significant amount of time.