ProQuip, the specialist manufacturer of lightweight golf weatherwear is set to receive a boost to sales on the back of global television exposure during the Ryder Cup.
The Scottish company is the preferred supplier of rain suits to the European Ryder Cup team at the K Club, where ProQuip’s official team suit will be seen by a projected three quarters of a billion viewers in more than 140 countries.
The weather in Ireland looks as though it could be a key factor in the match. Gerry Byrne, course superintendent at The K Club, who takes meteorological readings every day, says, “Although September used to be a dry month, it has been wet the past three consecutive years. Last year, we had nearly four inches of rain during 14 days in September. So we have come to expect the unexpected – and we are fully prepared for a wet Ryder Cup.”
ProQuip, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, has already had a successful year and it is predicted that as a result of its Ryder Cup association, sales will be up by around 10,000 suits by the end of 2006.
In combination with increased exposure of the brand from this year’s highly successful Silk Touch rain suit – winner of the ‘Today’s Golfer’ waterproofs test (featured in October issue) – turnover is expected to increase by 15% from 2005.
Richard Head, ProQuip’s managing director and chief designer, said, “It is a great honour to have been chosen to supply Ian Woosnam and the European Ryder Cup team and is a highly significant boost for a specialist, small business like ProQuip.”
“The success of Silk Touch – our biggest ever selling export to America – and the profile we’ve enjoyed from the Ryder Cup association has opened up new markets for us, and the innovation and quality of ProQuip products is now being recognised globally.”
Over the last six months ProQuip has benefited hugely from its status as preferred weatherwear supplier to the European Ryder Cup team and has signed new distribution agreements to supply products in France, Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.
ProQuip weatherwear is now available in France, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Australia, South Africa, The United States as well as the UK.
ProQuip www.proquipgolf.com
Global Edition
