Doosan has announced that it will be an official patron for The Open Championship, the oldest and most prestigious of the four major global golf events, for the next five years. The sponsorship forms an important part of Doosan’s marketing strategy that will support the company’s aim to become one of the Global 200 companies by 2020.
The Open is organised by The R&A, golf’s governing body, and is celebrating its 150th year. Doosan will be one of six patrons including Rolex and Lexus. Doosan will be the first Korean company to join The Open.
The Open will be seen by a crowd of 250,000 at the event and the competition will be broadcast to 163 nations including Europe and North America.
“We are delighted to be joining The Open as a patron,” says Doosan Infracore UK general manager, Tim Waples. “Our aim is to raise the profile of Doosan, not only for forklifts, but for many of our other businesses both here in the UK and elsewhere. The Open Championship is one of the most prestigious events in the sporting calendar and Doosan believes this is a great partnership, and a great way to spread the Doosan message.”
Doosan will also build its marketing strategies in Europe and North America through its other affiliates such as Doosan Babcock (steam generation manufacturer), Doosan IMGB (forging and casting), Skoda Power (plant turbine manufacturer) and Doosan Infracore International (construction equipment, including Bobcat).
The forklift division, DIUK, has continued to perform well despite tough trading conditions, adding a German-built warehouse range to its core forklift business, whilst the construction division has added the articulated dump truck business, Moxy for $81 million.
“We will continue to invest in both our sales and marketing activity,” concludes Tim, “as we have with our parts, support and well-respected distributor network.”