SIS Pitches celebrates record year

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SIS Pitches celebrates record year: The UK’s leading sports manufacturer, SIS Pitches has announced it has secured a patent for its new machine, rounding off an exceptional year.

A patent has been granted for the vacuum mechanism ‘Revolution’ machines, made by SIS Pitches to produce premium hybrid pitches for an array of sports. The machine is the first of its kind, allowing the manufacturer to stitch pitches at variable depths, offering more flexibility to clubs and sports facilities.

SIS Pitches celebrates record year

SIS Pitches celebrates record year

The patent is the latest addition on a long list of achievements for SIS Pitches in 2024 – the company’s most successful year to date. In addition to investing £500,000 in its Maryport factory for new tufting machines and solar panels, and growing its overall employee headcount by 20% since January, the company has opened four new offices globally. These are located in Poland, India, Saudi Arabia and Georgia, in order to meet rising demand locally.

Earlier this year, one of SIS Pitches’ major pitch maintenance projects in the Middle East, the Kingdom Arena, in Riyadh, built in partnership with Sela, won two Guinness World Records for the largest covered football stadium and the highest capacity for an indoor covered stadium. The stadium itself was the first ever indoor grass pitch grown entirely without natural sunlight.

In India, the SIS Pitches team installed the country’s first hybrid cricket pitch – a SIS Grass Hybrid product tried and tested across the English game – marking the beginning of a series of projects in the country. The manufacturer, working with Greater Ten locally, used its own ‘Universal’ machine to stitch hybrid cricket pitches in locations including the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala.

Other major projects won by SIS Pitches this year include names football fans around the world will recognise immediately, including Manchester City Football Club, MLS’ Chicago Fire, as well as Iceland National Stadium and Uganda Athletics and Football. The company also made significant forays into other sports internationally, securing projects with Baseball United to build the first professional baseball ballpark in the Middle East and South Asia, as well as Aramco Stadium in Saudi Arabia.

The manufacturer also toasted two news milestones, joining the Green Sports Alliance, cementing its commitment to promote sustainability, and ESTC, the trade association for the Synthetic Turf Industry in the EMEA region.

To top things off, one of SIS Pitches’ installations took centre stage at this year’s Paris Olympics. The Stade de France, which features a hybrid SIS Grass pitch, was the chosen venue for a handful of disciplines, including rugby sevens and athletics.

SIS Pitches owner and founder George Mullan said: “I’m incredibly grateful for our team’s hard work and commitment this year – none of this would have been possible without them.

“2024 was a year of many ‘firsts’ for us, and one we’ll remember for a very long time. We’ve grown immensely, as a group – opening new offices abroad, working with some of the biggest names in sports and continuing to lead from the front when it comes to innovating.

“We’ve not forgotten our roots, however. The investment in our Maryport factory is a symbol of our commitment to British quality and expertise, and will enable us to meet the growing demand when it comes to high-quality sports surfaces, both nationally and internationally.”

SIS Pitches has also shared some of its plans for 2025. The manufacturer is readying to launch its innovative dry hockey solution widely in the second quarter. The surface, developed by the organisation’s experts, features a unique technology to replicate the properties of a water-based system without using a water ball, which can hinder the flow of play.

A US office is also in the works, and it was announced that current SIS Grass Managing Director, Ivo Lamot would become the company’s new Chief Executive, with owner and founder George Mullan stepping to Executive Chairman. Other major appointments also include Luke Edwards, set to become Chief Innovation Officer, while Rob Hope will continue on as Chief Operating Officer. SIS Pitches also underwent a rebrand earlier in the year and is set to launch its new website next year, focused on its philosophy of ‘Powering more play’.

George added: “Our business has evolved in the last few years, and with our new goals to expand to new markets, our structure had to follow too.

“Our ambition is to make 2025 an even bigger year, so I’m excited to have Ivo lead on the delivery of our shared vision, along with Rob and Luke.”

For more information about SIS Pitches, go to sispitches.com

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Three new Corvus UTV dealers appointed

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Three new Corvus UTV dealers appointed: UK distributor BOSS ORV is pleased to announce the appointment of three new UK dealers for Corvus Off-Road Vehicles.

Based in Colchester, Essex, Used 4 Turf has over thirty years’ experience providing turf equipment to the golf, sport turf, landscaping, amenity, public and private sectors. Founded by Neil Peachey, they supply new tractors and high-quality second-hand equipment. “We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service,” says Neil, “ensuring our principles, morals, and ethics are at the heart of all we do. Our personal service is what sets us apart from the competition and we’re proud to call our clients our friends.”

Three new Corvus UTV dealers appointed

Three new Corvus UTV dealers appointed

DJS Hydraulics Agricultural and Plant Repairs main centre is in Amlwch, Anglesey and they have recently opened a second depot in Bangor. They are taking Corvus to fulfil their UTV requirement for the area and are appointed to cover North Wales, where they have been supplying the agricultural and plant sector since 2007. DJS’ David Jones says, ”here at DJS Hydraulics Agri we take pride in supporting customers with their needs, whether it be in parts, service or sales. We’re looking forward to offering the same with the Corvus Terrain UTV’s.”

The third Corvus new dealer appointment is Chantry Engineers in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. A family-run business Chantry provides agricultural, and groundcare sales and service as well as vintage service and repairs. They boast a combined total of over forty years’ experience. “We’re proud to support the farming industry with all agricultural engineering needs,” says Mark Chantry, “and we’re pleased to be appointed as Corvus Off-Road Vehicle dealers and meet the UTV requirements of customers in our area.”

BOSS Off-Road Vehicles National Sales Manager, Neil Everett, added, “we’re very pleased to have these three new dealers join the Corvus dealer network which we are expanding, to provide Corvus UTV customers with the best possible sales and support in their local areas.”

For more information about BOSS ORV distributed machinery you can call 01785 561046

E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

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T H White partners with Reesink

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T H White partners with Reesink: T H WHITE Groundcare is the newest member of Reesink UK’s dealer network and, from January 2025, will support the distribution of Toro Commercial grounds equipment in Hampshire, Dorset, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and the borough of Birmingham.

Toro is an exclusive brand, renowned worldwide for its cutting-edge and extremely durable groundcare machines. This partnership will broaden T H WHITE’s groundcare equipment offering, a pivotal move that better aids the team to successfully match each customer with the perfect solution for their needs. In particular, the dealer was awarded the franchise to sell ten models from Toro’s commercial groundcare range of cylinder, rotary, and flail mowers (non-golf).

T H White partners with Reesink

T H White partners with Reesink

T H WHITE will also oversee the distribution of genuine Toro parts in the region to its commercial groundcare customers ensuring maximum performance and longevity for their equipment, while providing servicing, repairs and support through a team of expertly trained technicians. The company will also provide backup on golf products sold through Reesink UK’s direct sales team in these areas.

Both companies look forward to this mutually beneficial relationship and are preparing for a successful 2025.

Reesink UK’s Managing Director Alastair Rowell celebrated this collaboration acknowledging that T H WHITE Groundcare is an “excellent addition” to their national network of dealerships.

“T H WHITE Groundcare offers great expertise, a proactive approach and a strong commitment to service excellence,” continued Alistair. “We are delighted to work with such a focused team of groundcare specialists.”

Commenting on their new collaboration, T H WHITE’s Divisional Director Adrian Lovegrove didn’t hide his enthusiasm, announcing that his team is “extremely pleased” to be working with Toro and Reesink as they are “highly respected brands in the industry.”

“Working with Reesink allows us to further enhance our offering, ensuring we can provide the right machine for every bespoke application. Our excellent staff and carefully selected partners are the cornerstone of our success, and this partnership strengthens our ability to meet the needs of our clients.”

Adrian concludes: “At T H WHITE Groundcare, we strive to deliver the best products and customer service to local authorities, sports and recreation venues, private estates and contractors. The addition of Toro to our lineup and the partnership with Reesink represents a significant milestone in our journey to provide industry-leading groundcare solutions.”

For more information or to find a dealer near you, call 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Stephen Bernhard to receive Outstanding Contribution Award

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Stephen Bernhard to receive Outstanding Contribution Award: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), has announced the finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2025, while also revealing that a lifelong supporter of greenkeeping is set to receive the association’s Outstanding Contribution Award with Kress.

The BIGGA Awards will be presented at the BIGGA Celebration with Kress, which takes place on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Celebration (BTME). Held in Harrogate each January, BTME is Europe’s largest gathering of golf greenkeepers and provides world class education and networking opportunities for BIGGA members and those working in the sports turf and golf industries.

Stephen Bernhard to receive Outstanding Contribution Award

Stephen Bernhard to receive Outstanding Contribution Award

At the BIGGA Celebration with Kress, Bernhard and Company founder Stephen Bernhard will be presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award. With an unwavering commitment to education and professional development, Stephen has provided countless opportunities for greenkeepers to achieve new heights, not least through his support of the BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and the establishment of the Bernhard Academy in 2019.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “Stephen Bernhard has been an inspirational character in our industry for decades and via his generous support – in particular of the BIGGA Delegation to the United States – he has made positive contributions to countless careers in greenkeeping. His enthusiasm for greenkeeping and the wider sports turf and horticultural sectors have been undimmed with the passing of time.

“He has always sought to innovate and challenge were appropriate and time spent with Stephen is always thought-provoking. I’m thrilled that we are able to recognise his outstanding commitment to our industry in this way.”

Stephen worked in his father Jeffrey Bernhard’s turf nursery and landscaping business from a young age. He formed Bernhard and Company in the 1970s and the business became a leading name in spin grinding in the 1980s with its renowned Anglemaster and Express Dual machines. Throughout its history Bernhard and Company has built a reputation for providing a range of innovative sharpening tools alongside educational support for greenkeepers and groundspeople and in 2008 the company was awarded the Queen’s Award for Industry.

Also to be presented at the BIGGA Celebration with Kress are the Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year with Bernhard and Company and the Greenkeeping Project of the Year with Price Turfcare awards. In both cases, the innovative thinking and creativity of BIGGA members are celebrated, with nominations being received throughout 2024. BIGGA is delighted to be able to reveal the finalists of these awards below.

BIGGA Awards finalists 2025:

Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year with Bernhard and Company

  • Burnham & Berrow Golf Club for the hosting of Final Qualifying for The 152nd Open in July.
  • Morlais Castle Golf Club for hosting the Men’s Welsh Team Championship in August.
  • Woburn Golf Club for hosting The G4D Open in May.

Greenkeeping Project of the Year with Price Turfcare

  • Cowdray Golf Club
  • Long Ashton Golf Club
  • Parkstone Golf Club

Further information about the finalists can be found in the January edition of Greenkeeper International and on the BIGGA website.

The BIGGA Celebration with Kress will be hosted by Sky Sports’s Sarah Stirk and is a free, informal event that will be held in the Harrogate Convention Centre’s Royal Hall on Tuesday 21 January 2025. All attendees to BTME are welcome to attend and more information can be found on the BIGGA website.

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Polaris winner receives his General 1000

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Polaris winner receives his General 1000: Polaris is pleased to announce the winner of the 2024 Great British Farm Off Competition, Nick Hopkins. After months of hard work and dedication of sharing his daily farming life online, Nick has been awarded a Polaris General 1000 for an entire year.

At the start of 2024, Polaris launched an exciting new competition: the Polaris Great British Farm Off. The initiative aimed to celebrate the resilience and hard work of British farmers, while highlighting how Polaris vehicles can support farming life.

Polaris winner receives his General 1000

Polaris winner receives his General 1000

Farmers were invited to share their day-to-day activities from January to July, opening the doors to show the hard work and commitment involved in running a farm. Those who shared engaging and consistent content were considered for the Great British Farm Off title and the chance to win a Polaris Off Road Vehicle for an entire year. From lambing season to harvest, the entries highlighted the dedication of the British farming community.

One standout participant was Nick Hopkins, a Wales-based farmer/horse breeder whose engaging content kept everyone entertained. Blending personality and humour, Nick’s posts gave followers an authentic and light-hearted look at life on the farm, making him a clear favourite.

Speaking about his decision to enter the competition, Nick shared: “When we saw the competition, we thought we’d give this a go. There’s so much going on, and of course, running from January through to June, different things are happening seasonally on the farm. We thought it’d just be a bit of a laugh to do it. The kids got involved in taking photos, and we kind of staged quite a lot of stuff as we never really saw ourselves as content creators and certainly never thought we’d win it.”

To collect his prize, Nick visited long-time dealer and friend Jake Else at Derbyshire Quads, where he was presented with a Polaris General 1000.

Reflecting on Nick’s win, Jake said: “If there was ever a winner of a competition, he’s [Nick] one of the most worthy. We’ve known Nick for years, probably at least 15 years. He bought a spark plug from us initially, and he said the service he got from just buying that spark plug meant that if he was ever going to buy any machines in the future, he’d come back to us – and thankfully, he did. (…) Now he’s won the competition where he’s got the opportunity to have a General for a year, so I think he’s going to love that. Nick’s a great guy. It’s been an honour to support him with his products and machines over the years and a very worthy winner. Congratulations Nick. Well done.”

After a day of EASI training, Nick headed home to his smallholding in Capel Iwan, eager to put his new General 1000 to work. Over the next year, the General will complement the two Polaris RANGER 570s already supporting his American Quarter Horse breeding programme.

With its 30.5cm ground clearance, the General will help Nick tackle daily tasks with ease, from early morning livestock checks to managing chores across the farm’s varied terrain. Whether it’s moving hay, topping up water in the fields with the water bowser, or using its 272kg bed box capacity, the General will prove invaluable in keeping things running smoothly. Nick also plans to put the General’s impressive 680kg towing capacity to work with a grass-cutting mower and fertiliser spreader as needed.

As the year progresses, Nick will continue to keep his followers updated on how the General is making a real difference on the farm. From tackling day-to-day tasks to navigating Wales’ green lanes, it’s clear the General is set to become an essential part of Nick’s daily life.

Keep an eye on Polaris UK’s social media to see how Nick puts the General 1000 to work on his farm.

The Polaris Great British Farm Off will be returning in 2025, offering another lucky winner the chance to receive a Polaris vehicle of their choice for an entire year. More information will be available soon –  keep and eye on the Polaris UK social media channels for updates.

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