CRAiLAR Technologies has  announced it has retained MZ Group as its investor relations advisor in Canada and the U.S.  MZ Group will assist CRAiLAR with communicating its corporate, financial and investor-related developments to shareholders and investors, as well as expanding its shareholder base, particularly in the United States and Canada.

 "We are excited about bringing on MZ Group's expertise in growing shareholder awareness and investment for companies of our size," said Ken Barker, CEO of CRAiLAR.

"With our manufacturing facility in operation and the resulting move toward revenues, our intent to seek a listing on a more senior exchange in the United States, and the growing support from investment banking analysts through coverage, our company is at a critical stage for articulating the unique value proposition CRAiLAR Flax Fiber delivers to the marketplace."

 The company has received analyst coverage from Beacon Securities, Cormark Securities and most recently, Euro Pacific Canada. It also announced in January that it has partnered with Difference Capital out of Toronto. MZ Group's activities will work in concert with Difference Capital.

 "We are excited about the opportunity to be CRAiLAR's investor relations partner," stated Ted Haberfield, President of MZ Group North America. "Retail and institutional investors we communicate with frequently are looking for companies with disruptive technology and products, a clear path to success, and a seasoned management team capable of executing. CRAiLAR meets all of these criteria. We understand how to customize and execute a targeted and effective IR program, and we look forward to working with CRAiLAR's executive management team to position CRAiLAR for success in the public markets."

 The company's initial one-year engagement with the MZ Group calls for the payment of $8,000 per month, the granting of a vesting stock option over 12 months to acquire up to an aggregate of 50,000 common shares of CRAiLAR at current market price and for the reimbursement of pre-approved and reasonable expenses associated with the services to be provided under such engagement.

 Guidance Counsel, the Company's Investor Relations consultants since August 2010 will continue to play a strategic advisory role to the executive team at CRAiLAR.

MZ Group, subsidiary of @titude Global, a multinational company and the world's largest independent global investor relations consulting firm, provides investor relations, corporate communications, market intelligence, corporate governance and technology products and services.

Founded in 1999, MZ Group focuses on innovation and personalized services, supported by its exclusive "one-stop-shop" business model. With offices in São Paulo, New York, Chicago, San Diego, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei and Mumbai, MZ has approximately 350 professionals who serve over 580 clients in 12 countries.