SPEEDY, the leading UK provider of construction equipment rental and support services, have been announced as the new title sponsor of the Speedy Hire UK Open.
Speedy, a North West-based FTSE-listed business, launched their sponsorship of the tournament on Friday at their Newton-le-Willows base by welcoming reigning UK Open champion Phil Taylor, 2010 runner-up Gary Anderson and 888.com Premier League Darts star Mark Webster to their offices.
Speedy's sponsorship of the tournament - known as 'The FA Cup of Darts' - by offering 32 amateur players the chance to play their heroes.
Speedy will be giving budding throwers a genuine opportunity to play reigning UK Open champion Taylor, 2010 runner-up Anderson, two time PDC World Championship semi-finalist Webster and their rivals at the top of the professional game in front of millions of TV viewers in June's Speedy Hire UK Open in Bolton.
Speedy's group marketing director Steve McIntyre said: "We are thrilled to have forged this partnership with one of the UK's most popular sports, and wanted to reflect our excitement with this unprecedented project.
"The Speedy Hire UK Open will be offering 32 staff and customers of all abilities the chance to compete in the event, which is widely regarded as 'The FA Cup of Darts'.
"We are sprinkling even more magic into the format and are hoping that a Ronnie Radford moment might be around the corner."
The Speedy Hire UK Open will take place from June 2-5 2011, with McIntyre adding: "This is one of the biggest projects that I have been involved with since arriving at the company last year.
"As former marketing director of Johnstone's Paint, I know how much success can be leveraged from a robust sports sponsorship, so this is a partnership that really excites us all."
PDC chairman Barry Hearn said: "It is fantastic to have such a respected brand like Speedy on our roster.
"A lot of our audience are tradesmen and professional builders and installers, so if they haven't heard of Speedy before the Speedy Hire UK Open, they should do afterwards.
"The tournament is unique for giving amateur players the chance to mix it with the best players in darts, and Speedy's sponsorship gives 32 players the chance to qualify alongside 32 other Rileys Qualifiers to compete in Bolton. It will be a memorable tournament."
For more information about Speedy and its search for 32 darts players for the Speedy Hire UK Open, click on www.speedyhiredarts.com.
Speedy - Company Information
Founded in 1977, Speedy is the leading UK provider of equipment rental and support services to a wide range of clients across the construction, infrastructure, industrial, manufacturing and facilities management sectors - as well as to local trades and industry.
Operating from over 325 fixed sites - together with a number of on-site facilities at client locations throughout the UK, Ireland and the Middle East - the company supplies a range of services including:
* the provision of small tools and equipment
* surveying and measurement instrumentation
* lifting and materials handling equipment
* powered and non-powered access equipment
* temporary accommodation
* compressed air
* temporary power generation
* mechanical pumps
* temporary site communications
The Group also provides associated services through the provision of training, asset management and testing, repair, inspection and maintenance (TRIM), as well as offering advisory services in areas such as health and safety, environmental and regulatory compliance.
Website: www.speedyservices.com
June's Speedy Hire UK Open televised finals will offer £200,000 in prize money, including £40,000 to the winner, and features the leading 96 professionals from the UK Open Order of Merit following eight Qualifiers held from February-May, alongside 64 Qualifiers, 32 of those from Speedy. The Speedy Hire UK Open will be screened live on Sky Sports HD from the Reebok Stadium.