29.10.2007 Back to news
Original operation: Already 2,000 "Thumbs up" on the Groupe Bel mast leaving from Le Havre!
 | © Gilles Martin-Raget |
2,000 employees leaving for Brazil.
Through this strong and original gesture, the Bel employees will be encouraging Kito and Seb by placing their thumbprints on the mast of the brand new 60 foot monohull. On the locations in which the operation was suggested, nearly one out of two employees gave their thumbprint, representing 2,000 people since June 2007. The magic worked even though the majority of the sites of the cheese portion maker's world leader are located in regions far from the sea. This is an impressive success, which is only in its early stages with the Transat Jacques Vabre, the very first race in the 2007-2010 Bel Tchiz Tour! More important events are in sight and the “Thumbs up” operation will continue. The climax, of course, will be the Vendée Globe next winter with the ambitious objective of bringing together all the thumbprints of all the groups' employees (more than 10,000 in 25 countries).
A little part of oneself on a 27 metre high carbon mast, how does it work?
In the French and Belgian factories visited by Kito before the summer, thumbprints were collected, one by one, on post cards using an inking pad. They all come with the name of the employee and the Bel site he is from. Employees were also able to join in the operation, thanks to the “E-Thumbs up”, available on “Intrabel”, the group's intranet. In this way, the concept was to go quickly beyond borders and the red mast already shows the “Thumbs up” from Algeria, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Spain, the United States, France, Iran, Italy, Japan, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom! The employees who will be present at the race start and finishes (as at the moment for Le Havre), will find their thumbprint and name on a 2.5 metre high totem symbolising the mast, on the Groupe Bel stand.
A strong commitment
Bel joined the skipper on the Figaro circuit in 2005 and Kito was immediately accepted by the group's employees as one of their own. Of a natural friendly character, he has always been warmly welcomed in the factories and the messages of support sent during races already show the sincerity of this relationship. With the “Thumbs up” operation, this has gone a step further, and is most certainly very touching for Kito as well as for Sébastien. This Saturday, the sailors will head towards Brazil with the solid support of men and women ready to take on this first Groupe Bel monohull challenge.
Guillaume Jouët, Groupe Bel's communications manager: “It is both a symbolic and concrete operation: Each thumbprint is completely unique the world over. By placing the most personal thing they have on this boat, the employees are as much supporters of Kito and Sébastien's adventure as they are the bearers of the group's ambition.”
Kito de Pavant, skipper of the Groupe Bel monohull: “What a success! The operation has taken off like a rocket. This spontaneous passion has deeply touched me. Between the giant cow painted on the sails and all these “Thumbs up” on the mast, Sebastian and I are in great company. Thank you all so much! »
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