SGL relaunches TurfPod

SGL relaunches TurfPod

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SGL relaunches TurfPod

A rebuilt grass sensor that brings the digital twin to every grounds team

Redesigned from the ground up, the new TurfPod tracks six growth factors in real time and connects seamlessly to TurfBase Sports, making live, data-driven pitch management more reliable than ever.

SGL relaunches TurfPod

SGL relaunches TurfPod

The new and improved TurfPod

Waddinxveen, the Netherlands — 1 October, 2026 — SGL today announced the general availability of the new TurfPod, a completely rebuilt version of its grass-monitoring sensor. Redesigned from the ground up based on extensive customer feedback, the improved TurfPod delivers reliable, real-time insight into the microclimate of any playing surface, and forms a core building block of the wider SGL ecosystem.

Together with TurfBase Sports, the TurfPod lets grounds managers create a living digital twin of their pitch: a continuously updating, data-driven picture of what’s happening both above and below the surface. Instead of relying on instinct alone, teams can see conditions change in real time and make objective, justifiable maintenance decisions before every game.

Built on everything we’ve learned

Every component of the new TurfPod has been redesigned for consistent performance in demanding, real-world environments, minimising downtime and maximising data accuracy. The device has been extensively tested in stadiums around the world, across different climates and conditions, to ensure reliable performance even under the toughest circumstances.

Key improvements in the new generation include:

  • A robust, redesigned exterior engineered for reliability in the field.
  • A new protective sleeve that covers the pins when the TurfPod is not in use, for a safer and more intuitive experience.
  • Seamless NFC connection to TurfBase Sports, delivering instant, actionable insight to support data-driven decisions.
  • Full backward compatibility, so the new TurfPod works alongside older units already in the ground.

A complete picture of the microclimate

TurfPod tracks six essential growth factors across both soil and surface conditions: air temperature, soil temperature, PAR light, salinity, humidity, and soil moisture, giving grounds teams a highly accurate view of their pitch’s microclimate. With multiple TurfPods, teams can map differences across a surface, monitor an unlimited number of pitches, and act precisely where action is needed.

That precision translates directly into efficiency. By using only the water, nutrients, and resources a pitch actually needs, grounds teams can reduce waste and costs while lowering their environmental footprint.

Smart technology, always connected

With 4G connectivity and built-in GPS, the TurfPod continuously transfers data to TurfBase Sports, so grounds managers can instantly see where and when problem areas appear. Wireless charging, cloud-based storage, and full IoT integration keep teams connected to their playing surface 24/7.

We listened closely to the people who use TurfPod every day and rebuilt it around their needs. The result is a more reliable sensor and, more importantly, a stronger foundation for the digital twin at the heart of the SGL ecosystem.

— Mark Trübenbacher, CEO at SGL

What grounds teams are saying

I couldn’t really fault the new TurfPod during testing, the experience has been very positive, and I’m genuinely excited about the full rollout. The most noticeable improvement for me is the consistency of the data readings, and the GPS performance is significantly better than in the old TurfPods.

— Oliver Deeming, FC Copenhagen

Availability and pricing

The new TurfPod is available now on a subscription basis starting at €67 per month, no large upfront investment required. Every subscription includes the TurfBase Sports Live data module, full service, maintenance, and free replacements. An optional Advanced data module adds GPS-based data overviews, in-depth VPD, ET and DLI analysis, out-of-range alerts, and heatmaps.

To request a quote or learn more, visit sglsystem.com/products/data-monitoring/turfpod.

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Turf Tank Continues UK Growth and Ongoing Development Ahead of SALTEX

Turf Tank Continues UK Growth and Ongoing Development Ahead of SALTEX

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Turf Tank Continues UK Growth and Ongoing Development Ahead of SALTEX

Turf Tank continues to grow across the UK, where its robots are hard at work marking pitches everywhere from Premier League stadiums to local schools and grassroots clubs.
The goal stays the same as the customer base grows: take the stress out of pitch marking, so groundsmen, volunteers, and facility managers get their time back to stay on top of everything else waiting on them.

Turf Tank Continues UK Growth and Ongoing Development Ahead of SALTEX

Turf Tank Continues UK Growth and Ongoing Development Ahead of SALTEX

Growing UK Base, Same Local Support

Subscription. Service. Stability. That is the model behind the growth. Every customer gets one bundled, predictable annual price, backed by a local team who knows their pitches and their conditions. Turf Tank expanded that UK team last year, adding regional specialists to bring support even closer to customers,

“Having people on the ground across the regions means our customers get help from someone who understands their conditions, their challenges, and their pitches,” said Mike Thomsen, Operations Manager at Turf Tank.

New Software Updates

Turf Tank also continues to build on what the robot can do, with new software updates rolling out to customers on a regular basis. Recent additions include:

  • Logo bundles. A growing library of pre-loaded logos customers can paint straight onto their pitch, covering holiday logos and common team mascots. Alongside the option to build a fully custom design.
  • Car park feature. The same robot that customers already use on their pitch can mark out car parks too, with stalls, angles, and symbols all set from the tablet.

Introducing the Base Station Pro

The Base Station has always been the foundation of the Turf Tank setup. It gives the robot a fixed point to measure from, so it paints in the exact same spot every single time.

Turf Tank is now adding another option: The Base Station Pro.
The Base Station Pro is mounted once, on a wall, a post, or a roof, and stays there. It holds the signal up to 8 kilometres with the same accuracy customers already trust.

The Base Station offers flexibility and is easy to bring along wherever a customer paints.
The Base Station Pro offers convenience, always mounted and always on, with no ongoing setup needed before painting. Whether the Base Station or the Base Station Pro is the better fit depends on how a customer’s pitches are set up.

Visit Turf Tank at SALTEX

Turf Tank will be at SALTEX on 11 and 12 November at the NEC, Birmingham. Drop by booth B100 to see the robot on display, learn more about the Base Station Pro, and chat with the team.

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Hayter® celebrates 80 years of British lawncare with a successful Glee

Hayter® celebrates 80 years of British lawncare with a successful Glee

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Hayter® celebrates 80 years of British lawncare with a successful Glee

Hayter®, the premium British lawncare brand, has concluded a highly successful appearance at Glee 2026, marking its 80th anniversary with a refreshed stand experience and the introduction of a new Lawn Care Tools range designed to strengthen its position as a complete garden performance brand.

Hayter® celebrates 80 years of British lawncare with a successful Glee

Hayter® celebrates 80 years of British lawncare with a successful Glee

Across the three-day event, Hayter presented its iconic Harrier® and Hawk lawnmowers alongside early merchandising concepts and POS solutions for the new tools range. Retailers responded positively to the brand’s clear product direction, premium packaging and design-led approach to elevating the lawncare category.

The Harrier, first introduced in 1970, remains one of Hayter’s most recognisable products and continues to be a cornerstone of the brand’s heritage. The model has earned long-standing industry recognition, including a BAGMA ‘Machine of the Year’ award in the 1980s and the ‘Mower of the Decade’ accolade from Service Dealer in 2007.

The Hawk range also attracted strong interest from retailers seeking lightweight, compact solutions for smaller gardens. Available in 36cm and 43cm cutting widths, Hawk models offer Hayter’s signature cut quality with an innovative storage design that reduces the mower’s footprint by up to 70%.* This feature was particularly well-received by retailers serving younger homeowners and customers with limited storage space.

A key highlight of the show was the preview of Hayter’s new Lawn Care Tools range. Designed to complement the brand’s mower portfolio, the tools feature premium materials, full-colour retail packaging and merchandising concepts that provide garden centres with a cohesive, high-quality alternative in a category often dominated by mass-market imports.

“Glee 2026 has been an important milestone for Hayter,” said Craig Hoare. UK sales and Marketing Manager. “As we celebrate 80 years of British lawncare expertise, we’re proud to present a product direction that blends heritage, innovation and modern design. The response from retailers has been extremely positive, and we look forward to building on this momentum throughout the 2027 season.”

Hayter will continue to roll out updates on the Lawn Care Tools range ahead of its full launch, with further details to be shared with trade partners later this year.

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STIGA & England Rugby Press Day…Getting the Pitch Perfect

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STIGA & England Rugby Press Day…Getting the Pitch Perfect

A successful press day took place at Allianz Stadium on September 23rd, as STIGA teamed up with England Rugby to host trade and consumer press, alongside influencers, to celebrate the brand-new, revolutionary pitch and the latest chapter in their multi-year partnership.

STIGA & England Rugby Press Day...Getting the Pitch Perfect

STIGA & England Rugby Press Day…Getting the Pitch Perfect

And when we say pitch perfect, we mean it!

The partnership underlines STIGA’s commitment to supporting volunteers and grounds teams, helping create world-class playing surfaces at every level of the game…from grassroots rugby right through to the international stage. Because, as every rugby fan knows, you can have all the talent in the world, but it helps if the pitch behaves itself too!

The day provided a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from the RFU and STIGA teams, get behind the scenes of the new pitch and, of course, capture plenty of interviews and content.

Jim Buttar, RFU Head of Grounds and Technical Operations, and Alex Cohen, Stadium Development Director at Allianz Stadium, delivered excellent presentations covering both the reasons behind the new pitch and the technical detail involved in getting it laid and ready for action.

The STIGA team were also on hand to explain how the partnership with England Rugby is making a difference across the game. James Gordon, Managing Director of STIGA UK, and Sam Fletcher, Business Development Manager at STIGA UK, shared how STIGA’s robotic mowing machines are helping rugby clubs keep their pitches in top condition…while also supporting the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make match day possible.

They explained how the partnership is helping clubs and communities from the grassroots up, giving grounds teams and volunteers a little more time to concentrate on what really matters…rather than spending every waking hour chasing a mower around a pitch!

The day finished with a behind-the-scenes tour of Allianz Stadium, taking in the press areas, changing rooms and, finally, the star of the show…the brand-new pitch.

And what a pitch it was. Absolutely outstanding.

After all, at Allianz Stadium, the players might be responsible for the tackles, tries and turnovers…but STIGA is making sure the stage is set for the rugby community to put on their own show.

A great day, a great partnership, and one seriously impressive playing surface.

For more information on how rugby clubs can get involved with the partnership and sign up for benefits, please go to: www.stiga.com/uk/stiga-x-rfu

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