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Winmau
Winmau
from Wikipedia

Winmau, pronounced "win more", is a Welsh manufacturer of dartboards, other darts equipment and title sponsor of the oldest darts tournament still running, the Winmau World Masters.

Key Information

Founded in 1945, Winmau was acquired by rival dartboard manufacturer Nodor in 2002, headed by John Bluck, with both brands remaining in production. The company is based in Bridgend in south Wales although manufacturing of the boards takes place in Kenya.[1] Bluck's eldest son Vince is now the managing director.

History

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Origins

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The company was founded as H.A. Kicks in 1945 by Harry Kicks using his demob money. The company manufactured elm dartboards that were hand-painted until the early 1950s when graphic transfers began to be used for the numbers and coloured segments. Later they produced paper-coil dartboards which, unlike elm boards, did not require soaking, and this was reflected in the brand name "Keep Dry". Scotts Dartboards of Southend, who specialised in paper-coil boards, bought the Keep Dry brand from Kicks in the late 1950s.[1]

The company name evolved into H.A. Kicks and Sons in the early 1960s as Kicks' sons joined the business. At around the same time, the patent on bristle dartboards, owned by Nodor, expired and Kicks began to make their own bristle boards. A few years after signing a deal with the fledgling British Darts Organisation's (BDO) founder Olly Croft in 1973 which made H.A. Kicks dartboards the official boards of the organisation, Kicks changed the name of the company to Winmau. The new name came from the first three letters of Kicks' wife's first names, Winifred Maud.[1]

Financial difficulties

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Harry Kicks senior died in 1984, leaving his five sons to run the company. In the late 1980s, the popularity of darts as a televised sport began to wane, which had a knock-on effect for Winmau, which began to struggle financially. In 1969, a compulsory purchase order forced Winmau to move to new premises, and the company relocated to Haverhill in Suffolk. In 1993, Ron Kurtz, the owner of Accudart, Inc., Winmau's distributor in the United States, responded to a request for assistance from Kicks' sons. Kurtz became the majority shareholder, and in just two years had turned Winmau's fortunes around by bringing in his own people to run the business.[1]

Nodor rivalry and takeover

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Nodor was started in 1919 by chemist Ted Leggatt as a manufacturer of modelling clay. In 1923, Leggatt produced his first dartboard which was made from clay. It did not prove popular, and within a year Nodor was making elm dart boards. By the mid-1930s, however, Nodor had found success with the launch of their patented bristle dartboard.[1]

As soon as Nodor's patent has expired, Winmau began to produce bristle boards, and an intense rivalry between the two companies began. Each company made several bids to acquire the other, before Nodor finally completed a takeover of Winmau in 2002.[1]

Nodor continues to manufacture darts equipment using both brand names. The Winmau brand had until recently maintained its close links with the BDO, both as title sponsor for the Winmau World Masters and the board sponsor of the BDO World Darts Championship.[1] Following the collapse of the BDO in 2020, Winmau no longer displays the BDO logo on their Blade boards at the 6 and 11 position this has now been replaced with a simple W logo.

PDC partnership

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On 31 January 2022, it was announced that the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) would be using Winmau boards for all their tournaments in a five-year deal, beginning with the 2022 Premier League Darts.[2]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Winmau is a leading British manufacturer of premium bristle dartboards and , founded in 1946 by former Harry Kicks and named after his wife, Winifred Maud (pronounced "Winmore"). Based in , , the company has grown into the world's largest producer of such equipment, hand-crafting products in a purpose-built factory and exporting to over 70 countries. Since its inception, Winmau has been at the forefront of innovation, introducing groundbreaking technologies like the staple-free dartboard in 1997, which revolutionized playability and durability. The brand's 6 Triple Core dartboard, featuring the patented Triple Core Carbon Technology—a three-layer system using high-quality East African sisal with a lower-density outer core for smoother dart penetration, a higher-density inner core to absorb excess energy for longevity, and a high-compression carbon fiber-reinforced layer to enhance strength and self-healing—along with a 360-degree symmetrical design, serves as the official match-quality board for the (PDC), used in televised tournaments and endorsed by top players. Winmau also produces player-specific , such as those for three-time World Champion , and supports grassroots development through partnerships with organizations like the Junior Darts Corporation. In 2002, Winmau was acquired by rival darts manufacturer Nodor, integrating its production into the Nodor Group's facilities while maintaining distinct branding. This merger enhanced its global reach, with the combined entity sponsoring major events and players, including PDC stars like Joe Cullen and . As of 2025, Winmau remains a cornerstone of the industry, trusted by millions of players and federations worldwide for its commitment to excellence and compliance with standards.

History

Founding and early years

Winmau was founded in 1946 by former Harry Kicks, who used his pay to establish a small operation in London's East End. The company was named after Kicks' wife, Winifred Maud, with the "Winmore," reflecting a personal touch amid the post-World War II economic recovery. From its inception, Winmau focused on producing dartboards that were hand-painted with numbers and wire boundaries, alongside basic darts accessories, in a modest setting. In the early 1950s, the company shifted to coiled paper dartboards under the "Keep Dry" brand, offering a practical alternative that eliminated the need for soaking to maintain playability, unlike traditional versions. This innovation aligned with the growing demand for durable, low-maintenance equipment as emerged as a staple in Britain's burgeoning . The early years positioned Winmau as a key entrant in the UK's darts market, capitalizing on the sport's resurgence in public houses after the , where it became a favored recreational activity fostering community and competition. Later, Winmau transitioned to boards, marking further evolution in its product line.

Rivalry with Nodor and financial challenges

In the , Nodor emerged as the leading producer of dartboards, leveraging its pioneering sisal-based technology that had revolutionized the industry since . Nodor's dominance stemmed from its exclusive on boards, which prevented competitors from entering the market and solidified its position in and recreational play. The expiration of Nodor's in the early opened the door for Winmau to transition from traditional elm and coiled paper boards to bristle production, marking a pivotal shift to directly challenge Nodor's market share. This move was driven by the superior self-healing properties of , sourced primarily from high-quality Kenyan fibers, which allowed to embed and release more easily compared to older materials. Winmau's entry intensified competition over board technology, as both companies vied for innovation in board density, wiring, and durability to appeal to growing organized leagues. The resulting rivalry between Nodor and Winmau was notably bitter, characterized by aggressive market positioning and repeated, unsuccessful attempts at acquisition by either side. This competition strained resources for Winmau during its formative years in bristle production, contributing to operational pressures amid rising demand for standardized boards in the burgeoning scene.

Acquisition and subsequent growth

In 2002, rival dartboard manufacturer Nodor acquired Winmau, integrating the company into the Nodor Group under the leadership of the Bluck family while preserving Winmau's distinct brand identity and product lines. The acquisition provided Winmau with and operational synergies, enabling recovery from prior challenges through access to Nodor's established infrastructure. This included optimized sourcing from premium East African plantations in , where production was centralized at a state-of-the-art facility in the Athi River Export Processing Zone starting in 1999 and expanded post-acquisition to handle over 200 tons of daily. Production scaling accelerated in the 2000s, supported by Nodor's purpose-built factories in Bridgend, Wales—relocated there in 1983—and the Kenyan site, allowing for increased output and quality control under family-guided management. Under the Nodor Group, leadership transitions emphasized continuity, with the Bluck family—John Bluck as key figure since acquiring Nodor in 1983—overseeing strategic growth. This period marked Winmau's expansion into international markets, with exports growing to over 50 countries by the early and surpassing 70 countries worldwide by the , driven by the group's global distribution networks. In 2024, the Nodor Group received a majority stake investment from Inflexion, which closed in May 2025, further bolstering its growth and innovation capabilities.

Products

Dartboards

Winmau introduced bristle dartboards in the 1960s, transitioning from earlier wood models to meet the (BDO) specifications for official championship play, which required durable, self-healing boards capable of withstanding repeated dart impacts without excessive wear. These boards utilized compressed fibers to create a dense, fibrous surface that allowed darts to embed securely while facilitating easy removal, establishing Winmau as a key supplier for competitive . The Blade series marked a significant evolution in dartboard design, beginning with the original Blade in 1997, which introduced an ultra-thin, staple-free wiring system with 60-degree deflection angles to minimize bounce-outs and enhance scoring accuracy. Subsequent iterations, such as the Blade 4 launched in 2011, featured Dynamic Sector Wire that was 50% thinner than previous generations, further reducing deflections and incorporating patented Dual Core technology for improved dart retention. This progression continued with the Blade 5 in 2014, refining the wiring for even greater precision and durability. The Blade 6, introduced in 2021, advanced the series with patented Triple Core Carbon Technology, a three-layer system using high-quality East African sisal: a higher density inner core that absorbs excess energy for longevity, a lower density outer core that allows smoother dart penetration, and a third high-compression carbon fiber-reinforced layer that enhances strength and self-healing. This technology provides enhanced fiber density and durability, and the board serves as the official match-quality board for the (PDC) as of 2025. The Blade 6 is compatible with the Autodarts Vantage automated scoring system, forming part of a complete professional setup when combined with compatible accessories. These developments solidified the series as the benchmark for professional-grade boards. Winmau dartboards are hand-crafted at their facility in , , using high-quality sisal fibers sourced from , where the plant's leaves provide the optimal tensile strength and resilience for bristle construction. The manufacturing process involves compressing these fibers into biscuits under varying densities, with the Dual Core design featuring a softer outer layer for easier dart penetration and a denser inner core to prevent push-throughs, ensuring longevity even under tournament conditions. Later models like the 6 and 360 incorporate Triple Core for superior performance. This meticulous approach, combined with rigorous quality controls, allows each board to conform to international standards while maximizing playability. Among current models as of 2025, the Blade 6 remains the staple for professional use, featuring slim wire segments, an enhanced bullseye area, and Triple Core construction for consistent performance in both amateur and professional settings. The Blade 360, announced in November 2025 for use starting in 2026 (PDC) events, advances this lineage with a symmetrical 360-degree wiring system that enables balanced rotation at 10 points to distribute wear evenly and eliminate hot spots, paired with Triple Core technology for superior fiber density and staple-free construction.

Darts and flights

Winmau began developing in the 1980s, introducing models like the and early Ton Machine series that incorporated military-grade for superior density and balance. These precision-engineered typically feature barrel weights ranging from 18g to 26g, with grip variations such as classic ringed, knurled, and compound configurations to accommodate diverse player preferences and throwing techniques. In 2025, Winmau launched innovative dart ranges including the Cypher and EPIX series, alongside the Fusion integrated system, which employs advanced coatings to minimize and enhance barrel smoothness for smoother release and reduced wear. Winmau's flight offerings include specialized designs in shapes like and slim, crafted from durable for optimal stability and longevity during play. These flights integrate seamlessly with Pro Force shafts, which provide enhanced grip zones for secure flight retention and consistent trajectory. The company offers customization options for its darts, including personalized engravings on barrels, as seen in signature models for sponsored professionals like , whose MVG Exact and Evox lines bear custom "MvG" markings tailored to his specifications.

Accessories and apparel

Winmau produces a range of dart shafts in materials including , carbon blends, and aluminum, allowing players to select options that balance stability, durability, and flight height based on their throwing style. These shafts are available in various lengths, such as short, medium, and in-between, to optimize dart grouping and performance during play. Carbon variants, for instance, combine high-grade for enhanced rigidity and prolonged lifespan compared to standard models. For storage and transport, Winmau offers durable and soft wallets designed to protect from damage during travel or everyday use. Wall-mounted accessories, like the Device Holder, provide secure home installation for scoring apps or related tools. Complementing these are electronic scorers such as the Ton Machine Touchpad Scorer 2, which integrates seamlessly with Winmau dartboards via a versatile Rota-Lock mounting system compatible with various wall surfaces for stable, level setup. Winmau also offers the Pro-Line Surround, a protective backboard designed to catch errant darts, and the Plasma LED lighting system, which provides illumination for the dartboard area. Both the Pro-Line Surround and Plasma are compatible with the Autodarts Vantage automated scoring system, enabling a complete professional setup with the Blade 6 dartboard that includes optimal lighting, with darts being optional. Winmau's apparel line includes performance-oriented clothing, such as shirts tailored for dart players to ensure comfort and mobility during matches or practice sessions.

Sponsorships and partnerships

British Darts Organisation era

Winmau's partnership with the (BDO) began in 1973, when the company, then operating as Kicks Bros., secured a groundbreaking deal with BDO founder to become the official supplier of dartboards. This agreement marked Winmau as the first manufacturer to receive official endorsement from the newly formed BDO, establishing a foundational relationship that endured for nearly 50 years and solidified the company's role in professional governance. In 1975, following the withdrawal of Phonogram's sponsorship after two years, Winmau stepped in to title sponsor the World Masters tournament, rebranding it as the Winmau World Masters and providing ongoing support that elevated the event's prestige within the BDO calendar. This sponsorship, initiated through discussions between Croft and Winmau director Harry Kicks, lasted over 40 years, contributing to the tournament's status as one of the oldest major events in and fostering Winmau's deep integration into BDO-sanctioned competitions. The partnership extended to innovative initiatives, such as the Winmau BDO 9-Dart Club launched in January 2013, which recognized players achieving a perfect nine-dart in BDO events by honoring them on a dedicated section of the Winmau website and awarding personalized memorabilia. This program, jointly developed with the BDO, expanded to include major tournaments like the BDO World Trophy, encouraging excellence and celebrating rare feats in the sport. Winmau also played a key role in shaping BDO equipment standards, as all dartboards used in BDO tournaments were required to be manufactured by Winmau to precise specifications, including calibrated dimensions, wiring, and sisal construction for consistent international play. These standards ensured uniformity across global events, with Winmau's boards featuring endorsements that affirmed compliance, thereby supporting fair competition and the organization's expansion.

Professional Darts Corporation collaboration

Following the end of its long-standing partnership with the around 2019, Winmau shifted its primary focus to the (PDC), aligning with the organization's growing dominance in professional darts. This transition culminated in a landmark five-year agreement in 2022, making Winmau the official dartboard and equipment supplier for all PDC events, replacing and marking the largest sponsorship deal of its kind in the sport. Under this partnership, all televised and non-televised PDC tournaments, including the World Darts Championship and , are exclusively played using Winmau Blade 6 dartboards, ensuring standardized high-performance equipment across the professional circuit. Winmau's collaboration extended to player endorsements, supporting prominent PDC professionals with custom equipment and branding. Notable endorsements include two-time world champion , whose signature dart range features precision-engineered barrels tailored to his playing style; Joe Cullen, known as "The Rockstar," who uses Winmau in major PDC events; and three-time PDC world champion , with ongoing support through evolving product lines like the MvG EvoX series, developed in close collaboration with Winmau's design team. These partnerships not only provide players with endorsed gear but also integrate Winmau branding into broadcasts and merchandise, enhancing visibility among global audiences. A key highlight of the collaboration was Winmau's title sponsorship of the PDC World Masters revival in 2025, rebranded as the Winmau World Masters under a ten-year deal. Held from January 30 to February 2, 2025 (with preliminary rounds on January 29), at the Marshall Arena in , , the event featured a £500,000 prize fund and 32 top-ranked players, undergoing a radical rebrand to emphasize its historical roots while incorporating modern PDC production standards. Televised on PDC partner networks like , , and , the tournament marked Winmau's return to sponsoring a major invitational event, drawing over 100,000 viewers and solidifying its role in elevating PDC's non-ranking majors. Winmau products are deeply integrated into events, where the brand's equipment is mandatory for all matches, promoting consistency and innovation in competitive play. This includes the 2025 Winmau , a series of 24 non-televised tournaments for developing professionals, offering ranking points and a £15,000 prize pool per event to help players qualify for higher-tier PDC tours. The sponsorship underscores Winmau's commitment to grassroots-to-elite progression within the PDC ecosystem, with winners like Stefan Bellmont in 2025 earning Tour Cards based on accumulated points.

Global and emerging market initiatives

Winmau has established partnerships across more than 70 countries, reflecting its commitment to global expansion in the industry. As the official equipment supplier to Dart Players since at least 2019, Winmau provides tournament-grade dartboards and accessories for events organized by the national body, supporting both professional and amateur competitions in the region. Similar official supplier roles extend to key markets in and the , where Winmau supplies equipment to local associations and distributors, facilitating grassroots and competitive play. These international ties underscore Winmau's strategy to embed its products in diverse cultural contexts, from established leagues to emerging national federations. In 2025, Winmau expanded its sponsorship portfolio with targeted initiatives in non-traditional segments. The company became the exclusive equipment partner of the Army Darts Association (ADA) in the UK, supplying dartboards, , and accessories to military personnel across ranks and stations to promote inclusivity and competitive excellence within the armed forces community. Concurrently, Winmau entered a long-term sponsorship agreement with the World Seniors Darts Tour (WSD), beginning in 2025, to equip senior-level events and enhance accessibility for players over 50, thereby broadening the sport's demographic reach. Winmau's push into emerging markets gained momentum in 2025 through strategic alliances in . Partnering with its Chinese distributor, Shanghai Haywood, Winmau sponsored three prominent players—Peter Lu, Dragon Ma, and Sam Xiang—to elevate the profile of in and support their international ambitions, with Lu also serving as a certified youth coach. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to foster growth in underrepresented regions. Complementing these sponsorships, Winmau has invested in grassroots programs to develop talent in and . In , a landmark partnership with the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC), announced in March 2025, represents the largest deal in junior darts history, providing equipment and support for developmental tournaments and training to nurture emerging players. In , collaborations such as the three-year sponsorship of the Darts Association of Thailand (DAT) from 2018, which included establishing a , and initiatives with JDC emphasize increasing participation among young demographics through accessible equipment and structured programs. These efforts prioritize long-term accessibility, aiming to build a sustainable pipeline of talent from local communities to global stages.

Innovations and legacy

Technological advancements in equipment

Winmau pioneered significant advancements in dartboard technology with the introduction of the system in 1997, featuring an ultra-thin, staple-free wiring design with 60° deflection angles that dramatically reduces bounce-outs by guiding darts more effectively into scoring segments compared to traditional boards. This innovation, protected under UK Patent No. 2602684, addressed longstanding issues with dart deflection by minimizing wire interference, resulting in up to 30% fewer bounce-outs in subsequent iterations while maintaining compliance with standards. In the realm of darts, Winmau refined alloy compositions starting in the early 2000s, emphasizing 90% barrels for optimal weight-to-size ratios that enhance balance and flight stability. These refinements included scientifically optimized to ensure consistent performance across throws, as seen in models like the Epix series with precision-engineered barrels. Additionally, innovative multi-zone grip patterns were developed, providing enhanced control and reduced slippage during high-intensity play, drawing on military-grade for durability and precision. The company's 2025 launches further advanced equipment design, including the Blade 360 dartboard with its full-circle symmetrical segmentation and 360° rotation capability, enabling even fiber wear and eliminating hot spots for prolonged consistent play. This triple-core model, set for official use in events from 2026, incorporates advanced engineering to support high-volume tournament conditions. Complementing this, Winmau's 2025 darts collection features precision-engineered barrels with laser-etched finishes for improved longevity and grip, building on nano-coating trends in professional-grade equipment to enhance surface durability without altering . Winmau's commitment to is evident in its extensive portfolio and testing protocols, including the Triple Core sisal base under Patent No. 2507762, a patented three-layer system using high-quality East African sisal. This features a higher density inner core that absorbs excess energy for enhanced longevity, a lower density outer core that allows smoother dart penetration, and a third high-compression carbon fiber-reinforced layer that enhances overall strength and enables self-healing properties. Rigorous R&D processes involve density testing of fibers to maintain consistent compression and impact resistance, subjecting boards to thousands of dart impacts to verify performance under simulated tournament stress. These investments, conducted in Winmau's purpose-built facilities, prioritize material science to deliver equipment that meets elite-level demands while advancing the sport's technical standards.

Tournament sponsorships and cultural impact

Winmau has played a pivotal role in tournaments since 1975, when it became the title sponsor of the World Masters, the sport's oldest major event, continuing this sponsorship until 2018 and influencing its format as a non-ranking invitational featuring top professionals. This long-term commitment helped standardize event structures, including prize funds and player invitations, setting precedents for modern competitions. In 2025, Winmau revived the World Masters as a (PDC) event, rebranding the former PDC Masters to include the top 24 players after the , with a £500,000 prize fund, marking a significant evolution in the PDC calendar and broadening its global appeal. Additionally, Winmau serves as the exclusive dartboard sponsor for the (WDF) and Lakeside World Championships on a three-year deal starting in 2022, ensuring its equipment is used in premier non-PDC events. Winmau's cultural contributions have embedded deeply in social settings, with over 70 years of brand recognition fostering its growth in pubs, schools, and media. A key partnership with Punch Taverns in 2012 supplied equipment to thousands of pubs, revitalizing league play and community tournaments as a staple of British pub culture. In , Winmau established the Central Darts Academy in 2014, offering students insights into , marketing, and sports promotion, while sponsoring programs like Nottingham College's Fast Track Sports Academy since 2017 and the ABC Darts Leadership Course in 2025 to develop young talent. Through Winmau TV and media initiatives, the brand has amplified ' visibility, supporting federations in over 70 countries and promoting participation from local leagues to international broadcasts. Key legacy milestones underscore Winmau's enduring influence, including its 70th anniversary celebration in 2016, which highlighted seven decades of innovation and sponsorships through special events and product releases. As the company approaches its 80th anniversary in 2026—founded in 1946—it continues to lead with initiatives like the decade-long partnership with the Junior Corporation (JDC) announced in March , the largest deal in junior darts history, aimed at nurturing future professionals. This builds on earlier efforts, such as extending sponsorship of the World Darts Association (WDDA) to 2025, which included integrating disability events into the World Masters since 2014 to promote inclusivity. Winmau's social initiatives emphasize and support for underserved groups, particularly veterans, through targeted . In June 2025, it became the exclusive partner of the Army Darts Association, supplying dartboards, , and accessories to promote the sport among serving personnel and veterans as a therapeutic and communal activity. Similarly, a July 2025 agreement with the RAF Darts Association provides gear to all ranks, enhancing ' role in welfare and global outreach. These efforts align with broader drives, such as the five-year WDDA promoting worldwide and adaptations like the 137cm board for users.

References

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