Swire sponsors fifteenth annual great drumtochty challenge

Posted by Energy News on Friday, February 03, 2012

Location
Aberdeenshire

Link
www.drumtochtychallenge.co.uk

Full Details

Swire Oilfield Services, the leading global provider of offshore cargo carrying units, modular systems and associated services, is to be announced as the main sponsor at this year’s Great Drumtochty Challenge, which takes place on Sunday, May 13th, 2012.

This is the first year that Swire has sponsored the one-day mountain bike orienteering competition, which is now open for entries.

The Great Drumtochty Challenge was established in 1998 by the Brechin Cycle Club and now attracts mountain bikers from all over Scotland. The competition encourages teamwork and skill development – whether it be bike handling, map reading or motivational skills. It was these elements of the event that inspired the newly formed corporate team category introduced by Swire. At least four employees of the company will be endorsing the event by taking part. Companies are encouraged to sign up for the event, with the opportunity to win a trophy. The winners will be invited to come back and defend the following year.

Roy Burrell, Swire Oilfield Services director & general manager UK, said: “This is a fantastic event and we are excited to be the main sponsor. Having done the challenge twice already, and taken part in the Strathpuffer24, a mountain bike endurance event earlier this year, I look forward to the challenge of entering as part of the Swire corporate team.”

“It provides a great team building opportunity from a corporate perspective, requiring strategic thinking and practical planning, in some ways similar to that of business. In this case the teams require map plotting and reading skills and then the ability to translate these into the optimum route to maximise the points collected. Constantly review the route to adapt for the changing situation on the day is essential to create a path to ultimate success.”

Brian McLaughlin, event organiser of The Great Drumtochty Challenge, said: “We are thrilled to have Swire on board as the main sponsor, and their introduction of the corporate team section brings an exciting new twist to the competition. The event is also suitable for families and juniors, with a parent and child (under 16’s) category as well as schools/clubs. Competitors can ride for five minutes or five hours – it just depends how competitive they wish to be.”

The challenge is also supported by local bike shops and aims to encourage people to take part in the sport. It tests both physical and mental endurance, and is based on the “Polaris” format in which entrants are given a list of point values and a map. They will then apply their navigation skills to make strategic decisions to agree a route that they believe corresponds to give them the highest possible score, taking into consideration aspects such as terrain, weather and ability.

If entrants fail to return to the start position in the given time of five hours, they will face a penalty based on a graduated scheme. At the close of the event a ceremony will be held where winners of each category will receive prizes sponsored by Swire.

Swire has recently introduced a Bike2work scheme in its Aberdeen office, a UK HMRC supported scheme which gives an employee the opportunity to use a bike, paid over 12 months, through deductions from their gross salary. The company has also invested in secure bike storage and shower/changing facilities worldwide, to promote sustainable and healthy commuting within its workforce.

The start point for the competition is approximately 5.5 miles North West of the overpass bridge on the A957 (Slug Road), the overpass bridge leads out of Stonehaven, heading for Banchory and passes over the A90 dual carriageway.

To find out more about the event please visit http://www.drumtochtychallenge.co.uk, or to enter the Great Drumtochty Challenge see https://www.sientries.co.uk, all entries are to be administered online.

ENDS

Note to Editors
Swire Oilfield Services, part of the global conglomerate, the Swire group, is the world's largest supplier of specialist offshore cargo carrying units to the global energy industry and is a leading supplier of modular systems, offshore aviation services, chemical handling and onshore hydraulic fracturing services.

Established in 1979, Swire Oilfield Services provides standard, specialised or tailored products certified to DNV 2.7-1 or EN12079 to customers anywhere around the globe. Its extensive hire fleet allows immediate access, 24 hours a day, to a comprehensive range of products. Launched in 2010, its onshore division provides a wide range of hydraulic fracturing services to the N. American shale gas market, and has already established itself as a market leader in the segment.

Operating in 31 countries, it has a team of over 700 staff operating from 36 bases around the globe. The company has a presence in all major oil and gas regions with large operations in Northern Europe, North America, West Africa, Asia Pacific and Brazil.

Swire Oilfield Services is Asia Pacific’s largest supplier of specialist offshore cargo carrying units and modular systems to the energy industry and is a leading specialist in offshore aviation services and pump and filtration systems. In the region, the company operates in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, India, Qatar and Sakhalin.

Media Contact: Hannah Blewett, Fifth Ring, Swire Oilfield Services Account Manager, +44 1224 628088 hannah@fifthring.com

Category
Company News Release