ARBURG and Partners Event Returns with a Competitive Spirit

What began 24 years ago as a simple round of golf for ARBURG customers has evolved into a special annual “ARBURG and Partners” event, covering a round of golf at Coventry Golf Course, a fiercely competitive go-karting tournament, and dinner with a celebrity speaker for over 100 people that has become the envy of the moulding industry.

The stig gives green light to the 24th partner event

ARBURG and over 100 guests, technology partners, customers, staff and the guests’ partners, came together for some well-earned fun and recreation at the 24th annual ARBURG and Partners Day on 3rd and 4th July, with a competitive golf tournament at the splendid Coventry Golf Course in Finham and go-karting at Whilton Mill, one of the UK’s top karting circuits where many of the British Championship races are held. The annual event has evolved from a small, informal round of golf with several customers when it began in 2000 to a more ambitious and more inclusive full day out, involving technology companies, customers and their partners, including go-karting for the non-golfers and a big networking dinner with a celebrity speaker.

Judson Smythe, managing director of MGS Technical Plastics in Blackburn, won the Simon Wrighton Challenge Cup against a competitive field of 70 customers. Ivor Griffiths of Sierra 57 Consult won the Allcomers Cup. 44 guests took part in the go-karting tournament, where they raced powerful Birel ART N35 390cc karts. The winners were Charlie Wain of Harwin, Darren Herron of Mouldshop, Zan Phillips of Great Central Plastics and Nicholas Kraus of Essentra. ARBURG’s technology and commercial partners, with some relationships that go back decades, included integration partner RNA, Gunther UK, Ultra Polymers, Sierra 57 Consult, PlastikCity, Yushin, OMS Lubritech, Mouldshop and Aquapurge.

Guest speaker The Stig from BBC’s Top Gear emerged from his mysterious and mute persona for one night to give a talk at the networking dinner, hosted at the golf club before the main event. The dinner has become a key part of the event to allow guests to network and connect. The Stig (real name Ben Collins) gave a fascinating and often amusing account of life as the popular TV show’s test driver to a captive audience that included several ‘petrolheads’. The Stig revealed that no less than 12 Aston Martin DBS cars were written off in filming the James Bond film Casino Royale.

Previous speakers have included snooker legend Willie Thorne, international rugby referee Nigel Owens, impressionist Darren Farley, comedian John Styles, and Liverpool Football Club legend Neil “Razor” Ruddock.

The ever-popular event now includes go-karting and so attracts both golfers and non-golfers, and many guests commented that the dinner is a great chance to talk to colleagues and potential customers. As the event has evolved, it has attracted a more diverse group, in age and gender profile. The Partners’ Event has always raised money for charity. This year, through raffles and auctions, a total of £2,300 was raised for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, nominated by Mark Lawson of Sierra 57 Consult.

Guests Reflect on a Memorable Day

Winner of the Simon Wrighton Cup was Judson Smythe, managing director of MGS Technical Plastics, said, “It was a very well-hosted event, where the industry can come together, strengthen their ties, and break down barriers in competition to share knowledge over a good game of golf and a nice dinner,”.  He added, “I was very pleased to win as the golf was competitive. Everyone took it seriously on the day, with several players getting some sneak practice in on the putting greens before play. Thank you to ARBURG.”

As an event with ‘light touch’ business networking talk and lots of fun, ARBURG partners gave the event five stars. “We are proud to have once again supported this year’s ARBURG and Partners Go-Karting and Golfing event,” said Reiner Heendeniya, MD of hot runner supplier Gunther UK. “Over the years, this event has grown into a key date in the UK plastics and mould tool industry calendar – and it’s easy to see why. The organisation was, as always, seamless, and the atmosphere was buzzing with great energy.” Reiner added, “It’s a fantastic opportunity to catch up with industry peers, connect with new contacts, and build meaningful relationships in a relaxed, engaging setting.”

Colin Tirel, managing director of the main organiser ARBURG Ltd, who is retiring in November after 27 years at ARBURG, said, “The Partners Day has become much more than a fun day out. Customers and partners look forward to it, to make friends and connect as much as to play golf. We have made the event more inclusive, and the go-karting and dinner give something for all. The Stig was a great choice of speaker.” He added, “Congratulations to Judson at MGS Plastics, perhaps see you next year. Please get in touch if your company would like to attend in 2026 – and book early!”

Read more news from ARBURG here.

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