Buttonboss, Europe’s leading supplier of headwear, embroidery and buttons, has become MP Motorsport’s new Official Headwear Partner through its own brand, Kingcap. The Dutch single-seater team has opted for the top quality offered by its fellow Dutch-based company, which will be developing various collections of caps and beanies, amongst other items, for both MP and its drivers in the coming period.
The partnership between Buttonboss and MP Motorsport was established in a short space of time, reflecting the fast pace of motorsport. Through a strong European dealer network, Kingcap operates as a supplier of headwear for major motorsport brands such as Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin. It also supplies bespoke merchandise lines to numerous well-known drivers. For example, Kingcap recently developed a special line for Oscar Piastri that was on sale during his home Grand Prix in Melbourne.
The brand-new Official Headwear Partner will initially design and manufacture a new cap for MP Motorsport, to the standard of quality for which Kingcap is internationally renowned. The two parties already have the next steps in mind, lining up various caps for MP Motorsport drivers, whilst a winter collection will also be developed later this year.
“We clicked immediately when we started discussing a partnership,” says Thijs Wiegerink of Buttonboss. “Motorsport has played an important role within our company for many years. Through a strong dealer network across Europe, we develop collections for major car brands and for teams and organisations in a wide range of motorsport categories. In addition, we are active in the Dutch BMW Racing Cup with our own Kingcap car, and motorsport is very much alive within our company thanks to a broad interest in the sport. That is precisely why we are proud to join hands with a top Dutch team like MP Motorsport. For MP, we aim to create a distinctive collection, as the cap remains perhaps the most visible part of merchandising in motorsport: it’s ‘helmet off, cap on’. At the same time, this partnership offers the opportunity to increase the Kingcap brand’s international visibility at and around the circuit. We will do everything we can to make the collection a strong calling card for both the team and Kingcap.”
“We are delighted to have Buttonboss/Kingcap as our Official Headwear Partner,” says Maarten van Wesenbeeck, marketing manager at MP Motorsport. “They know motorsport inside out. What’s more, we are both dynamic Dutch organisations that like to get things done and are keen to win. You’ll see that mentality reflected in the products they’ll be developing for us: only the best is good enough. I’m convinced they’ll also become a valued partner within our growing network.”
The agreement with Buttonboss/Kingcap is all the more remarkable because it is not the first time the company has entered into a partnership with MP Motorsport. Twenty-four years ago, the Buttonboss logo was featured on Jaap van Lagen’s MP car in the Dutch Formula Ford 1800 Championship, in which the team was competing at the time. The deal was brokered by Thijs Wiegerink’s business partner Robin Vogel, who is still active in national motorsport today and has Van Lagen still acting as his driver coach. Incidentally, 2002 was an exceptionally successful season, as Van Lagen became the undisputed champion by winning almost every race. Buttonboss/Kingcap and MP hope to repeat that same success from this year onwards.
Buttonboss is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Since 1976, the company has been active on the European market for promotional items, merchandise and corporate clothing as a specialist in headwear, embroidery and buttons. As part of Promocorp, both sales and production activities are based at its Enschede location, where 35 employees work daily. With a strong focus on quality, service and speed, Buttonboss has developed over the past five decades into a leading player within the European promotional market.
