Gadelius Supports Offshore Sailor Masatomo Suzuki’s Challenge on the World Stage -Sponsoring MILAI SAILING TEAM in its Quest for the 2028 Vendée Globe-

(Photo：MILAI SAILING TEAM)

The Gadelius Group, including Gadelius K.K. and Gadelius Medical K.K., is proud to support offshore sailor Masatomo Suzuki and his MILAI SAILING TEAM as a sponsor in their challenge to compete in the Vendée Globe, widely regarded as the world's premier solo non-stop round-the-world yacht race.

Mr. Suzuki has previously competed in the solo transatlantic race Mini Transat and the round-the-world race Globe40, and is currently working toward his goal of participating in the 2028 Vendée Globe. Held every four years, the Vendée Globe is a solo, non-stop, non-assisted circumnavigation race recognized as the pinnacle of offshore yacht racing.

Inspired by a Spirit of Challenge on the Global Stage
(Photo：MILAI SAILING TEAM)

Founded in Yokohama in 1907 by Swedish entrepreneur Knut Gadelius, Gadelius K.K.. has spent more than a century introducing outstanding technologies and products from around the world to Japan, contributing to the development of industry and society.

In its early years, the company introduced Swedish steel and Swedish matches to the Japanese market. During Japan's post-war reconstruction period, Gadelius supplied equipment supporting the paper industry as well as lifting systems used for the inspection and maintenance of social infrastructure such as power plants and bridges.

Today, the company continues to bring unique and niche advanced technologies to Japan, including remote-controlled construction and demolition robots designed to operate in environments too hazardous for people to enter.

Gadelius Medical K.K. is also committed to creating value by providing products and solutions that address the needs of healthcare professionals and patients. In addition, the company is actively working to expand overseas markets for medical consumables developed in Japan.

Since its founding, the Gadelius Group has been committed to delivering new value to Japan while addressing the evolving challenges of each era. In addition to identifying outstanding technologies from around the world and introducing them to the Japanese market, the Group has recently begun taking on the challenge of bringing new value created in Japan to the global healthcare market.

This commitment to connecting Japan and the world while creating new possibilities closely resonates with Mr. Suzuki's own journey toward one of the world's most demanding sporting challenges.

This sponsorship originated from a meeting between Gösta Tyrefors, Chairman of the Gadelius Group, and Mr. Suzuki.

Mr. Suzuki's determination to take on the vast unknown of the ocean reflects the values that define the Gadelius Group. His approach embodies the Group's core values of Challenging, Flexible, Sincere, Caring, Diverse, and And We Enjoy.

We believe that Mr. Suzuki's pursuit of excellence on the world stage exemplifies the spirit of these values. Through this sponsorship, we are proud to support his challenge and the inspiration it brings to people pursuing challenges of their own.

Comment from Gösta Tyrefors, Chairman of the Gadelius Group

When I first met Masa, I was deeply impressed by his passion and determination.
His willingness to forge his own path toward one of the world's most demanding goals strongly resonates with the values that have guided the Gadelius Group throughout its history.

We, too, continue working to bring new technologies and value to society through our industrial and medical businesses. Masatomo's journey is a tremendous source of inspiration for us.

I am delighted that we can support his challenge as a sponsor.

Comment from Masatomo Suzuki, Skipper, MILAI SAILING TEAM

I am sincerely grateful for the support of the Gadelius Group as I pursue this challenge.

The road to the Vendée Globe is not one that can be traveled alone.

It takes the support, encouragement, and shared aspirations of many people to reach the starting line of such an ambitious endeavor.

To have the support of Gadelius, a company that has spent more than a century bringing innovative technologies, products, and new value from around the world to Japan while continually embracing new challenges, is a tremendous source of motivation for me.

As I set my sights on the 2028 Vendée Globe, I will continue to take on each challenge one by one, knowing that every step forward becomes part of the journey.

I also hope that our journey may inspire others to take the first step toward challenges of their own.

About Masatomo Suzuki
Born on August 12, 1985, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, Masatomo Suzuki began sailing in the Optimist class while in elementary school and later joined his university sailing team. He competed in numerous domestic and international races, including Japan's National Sports Festival and the Moth World Championship. After transitioning to offshore racing, he competed in the solo transatlantic race Mini Transat in 2019 and became the first Japanese sailor to participate in the round-the-world race Globe40 in 2022. He is currently based in France and is pursuing his ambition of competing in the Vendée Globe, the world's premier solo non-stop round-the-world yacht race.