Cycling team puts Argos brand on the international map.
Argos North Sea Group to enhance European position
Rotterdam, 30 March 2012 – Argos North Sea Group announced that it will be the new main sponsor of the 1t4i cycling team for the next three years, to enhance the realization of its European growth ambitions. As of today, this professional cycling team will be named Team Argos-Shimano. In a press conference at Argos’ headquarters in the port of Rotterdam the cycling team was present in their new outfits. Argos wants to firmly put its brand name on the European map.
Growth strategy
Since Argos merged with North Sea Group earlier this year it is the largest independent player in the Western European oil and energy market. The company already has a strong foothold in the professional market for oil and gas products but wants to grow strongly in the coming years. Also, the company is putting a lot of effort into renewable and sustainable energy products such as biofuels. At the core of Argos’ growth strategy are France, Germany, Switzerland and the Benelux countries. In these markets, the company wants to offer a wide range of products and services to consumers by means of a network of franchisers.
All around energy provider
Peter Goedvolk, founder of Argos and CEO of Argos North Sea Group: ‘We are all working hard to transform from an oil company into an all-round energy provider. For this, we are thinking far beyond oil products. In the near future, we also want to provide electricity and gas to European households. Especially in those countries where Argos is or wants to be active, cycling is an incredibly popular sport. I am convinced that sponsoring this talented and ambitious cycling team is the best way to draw European consumers’ attention to the Argos brand and thereby realize our growth ambitions better and quicker.”
Project 1t4i renamed into Team Argos-Shimano
Jan Dirks, Director Branded Sales & Marketing Europe: ‘We have decided to sponsor this team because Argos and 1t4i have a lot in common. Both the team and us are relatively new kids on the block, operating in a mature environment. We both are very ambitious, we want to be leading in Europe by challenging established competitors with innovative concepts. And we both have the courage to stand out from the crowd.’
Iwan Spekenbrink, managing director and owner of the 1t4i-project: ‘I am very happy that I can finally mention the name of our new main sponsor. The entire team is awfully proud that we have succeeded in committing a European multinational who will enable us to develop further in the coming years. Moreover, we find it very important that Argos wholeheartedly underwrites our team’s core values; Team spirit (1t), Inspiration, Integrity, Improvement and Innovation (4i’s).’
About
Argos North Sea Group is the largest independent player in the Western European mineral oil and energy market. The company is active in all segments of the oil and fuel related supply chain. The annual turnover exceeds € 11 billion. Argos North Sea Group services the entire value chain, from producer to consumer. Approximately 1000 employees are globally active in more than 25 countries. The core countries for Argos North Sea Group’s operations are The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, France and Switzerland. Outside Europe, the company is active in Brazil, Singapore and China.
