Title partner to the 1st transatlantic race aboard MOD70s

Krys, the major brand of KRYS GROUP, leader of the eyewear market, will be the title partner for the first two editions of the Krys Ocean Race in 2012 and 2014.
For the past 40 years, Krys' opticians have relied on technical, ethical and aesthetic values to best serve their customers. It's from these same values that the event has been created.

Joel Plat, Managing Director of Krys Group:
"Our involvement in this transatlantic race, which will sport our colours, is a genuine entrepreneurial adventure. Like Marco Simeoni at the head of MOD S.A, our opticians are all entrepreneurs.
Since the creation of our brand back in 1966, we've opted for a cooperative statute where each person is a player, a decision maker and a manager.
Furthermore, this emerging circuit is contested aboard one-design trimarans, which means that they are absolutely identical. As such a parallel can quickly be drawn with our shops. All the shops displaying our blue flag are also respectful of our charter, so all of them are very similar. As is the case with the crews on the MOD70s, what makes the difference is the men and women who are part of our brand.
Beyond all the common values we share with sailing in general, it's also interesting to be present at the genesis of a project.
A new class and a new partner in the maritime universe, we naturally have some fine human stories to write together. We're going to rely on these adventures to further unify our opticians and share the really thrilling, inspirational moments with our customers."

The title partner goes for a four -year involvement:
Krys is the title partner for the first two editions of the transatlantic KRYS OCEAN RACE.
• In 2012, the transatlantic race will be eastbound, from New York to Brest
• In 2014, the fleet will sail the same course in reverse: from Brest to New York
"Though we want to associate the brand's image with the values of sailing, a single operation would only have little significance. It takes time to establish a successful collaboration.
We ourselves have everything to build around this project. Our involvement in the first two editions of the KRYS OCEAN RACE is the first concrete proof of a partnership which Krys is keen to be part of over the long term."

The KRYS brand:
Set up in 1967, Krys is the group's reference brand, a brand which boasts considerable notoriety among consumers. Professionalism, accessibility and beauty define its positioning on the market.
Accessibility really means something at Krys: with over eight hundred and sixty six shops, the brand has a presence that extends right across France, the French overseas department, Belgium and Morocco. Indeed the Krys opticians are committed to helping eyeware customers in their decision making, advising them and providing them with very clear explanations about any equipment, which is suited to both their need and their budget, through a wide selection of products.

A few elements relating to the Krys brand:
• 3.27% growth in 2010
• 866 shops in 2009
• 110m2 average surface area per shop
• 770,000 Euros of turnover per shop per year (ranks No.1 in cooperative eyeware groups)
• 1st national brand to offer an original e-commerce solution to consumers, krys.com, relying on Krys' network of sales outlets. The brand provides a service 24/7, guaranteeing the quality of the made-to measure optical equipment thanks to a delivery made in the shop by an expert optician.

Contact details for Krys' communications department:
Véronique GEORGET
Tel : 0033 6 70 60 13 32
Mail: veronique.georget@krys-group.com