Tag Archive for: Pitches

SIS Pitches Acquires Both DrainTalent and HeatTalent

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SIS Pitches Acquires Both DrainTalent and HeatTalent: Global leader in sports surfaces SIS Pitches has acquired a majority stake in DrainTalent, a Netherlands-based business specialising in circular soil management systems, and HeatTalent, an innovative and sustainable, electric undersoil heating.  

This latest acquisition cements SIS Pitches’ position as the most comprehensive provider of pitch construction and maintenance by incorporating two further sub-surface technology systems at the cutting-edge of soil science within their already comprehensive range of add-on systems.

SIS Pitches Acquires Both DrainTalent and HeatTalent

SIS Pitches Acquires Both DrainTalent and HeatTalent

DrainTalent’s patented, flagship product – which shares the same name as the company – is a unique, sustainable soil management system that regulates moisture levels in soil by extracting water from the top layer and reintroducing it from below. This keeps grass healthier and improves recovery after use, resulting in less fixture cancellations.

Using the system’s sensors and climate information provided in the company’s app, grounds teams can manage their playing surface conditions remotely via a connected device. Working this way, a sports club can drastically reduce its water consumption while also promoting natural grass growth. With installations at both amateur and elite-level, DrainTalent has been proven effective across the most challenging playing conditions, guaranteeing optimal conditions all year round.

The acquisition also includes HeatTalent, pioneers of innovative electrical undersoil heating systems, some of which are already being used within the Eredivisie, having been installed at FC Utrecht. One of HeatTalent’s lead technologies include grid heating, a wired, uninsulated stainless-steel grid that heats the soil at much quicker speeds using low voltage and high frequency current pulses.

SIS Pitches’ acquisitions come off the back of impressive organic growth in recent years, with revenue up by 30% over 2024/25. In response, the company has opened new offices in the USA, Saudi Arabia, Georgia and Poland to meet the needs of its growing client base.

The acquisitions are also the latest step in an ongoing growth strategy, which seeks to invest in forward-thinking businesses that add a competitive edge to its existing portfolio. DrainTalent was a natural choice in this respect, with the company boasting its own Research and Innovation Centre. This facility – located next to the manufacturing site – is used to validate product performance, with all trials audited by a local independent consultancy.

George Mullan, Executive Chairman of SIS Pitches, said: “DrainTalent has an exciting range of products that complement what we do as a business, backed by data and the latest industry insights. It’s a company that aligns with our vision to deliver exceptional sports surfaces at every level of competition across the world. These acquisitions are an important step for our long-term growth, adding an extra dimension of performance for both new and existing customers.”

Ivo Lamot, CEO of SIS Pitches, added: “These acquisitions mark an exciting step forward. For existing clients, we’re unlocking enhanced pitch longevity, reducing water usage and maintenance costs, ensuring greater year-round playability. Similarly, DrainTalent clients will now have access to premium surface technology and a seamless end-to-end service through SIS. This combined offering is unmatched in the market.”

Arno Reimert, Managing Director at DrainTalent believes the investment from SIS will be key to the system’s long-term success: “Our shareholders and management see great potential in cooperation with the SIS team to grow global sales and development of the DrainTalent company and its products. With SIS’s proven installation expertise and global reach, we’re now positioned to deliver even greater value – from sustainability gains and lower lifetime costs to a seamless experience for facility owners and grounds teams. It’s a powerful combination that takes our system to the next level.”

Recognising the product’s success and brand visibility, DrainTalent will continue to operate under its current name, as an affiliated company within SIS Pitches.

For more information about DrainTalent, please visit: draintalent.com

To find out more about HeatTalent, go to: heattalent.com

For more details about SIS Pitches, visit: sispitches.com 

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SIS Pitches Makes Landmark Investment

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SIS Pitches Makes Landmark Investment: Sports surfaces specialist SIS Pitches has made a multi-million-pound investment into a fleet of 16 new hybrid pitch stitching machines.

Developed to meet growing demand for faster installations and greater configurability, the new state-of-the-art machines feature patented technologies that increase the rate and efficiency of fibre injection on grass-based sports surfaces. Once installed these fibres then accelerate recovery times and reinforce a playing surface by promoting stronger, healthier root systems.

SIS Pitches Makes Landmark Investment

SIS Pitches Makes Landmark Investment

The investment will allow SIS Pitches to ease the operational pressure on multi-use stadia, whose narrowing timeframes to install hybrid grass pitches between matches and non-sporting events represents a major challenge. This need for speed and flexibility – without compromising in quality – has been driven by clubs and franchises around the world seeking to maximise stadium revenue by hosting concerts, exhibitions and fixtures spanning multiple sports.

In response, SIS Pitches’ new fleet can now complete a full hybrid pitch installation in a much shorter timeframe than before. This is possible thanks to a more compact design that allows two units to be transported in a single shipping container. Working together, the machines are able to reduce the typical installation period of a full-sized football pitch from an industry average of around ten days to just over three. This reduction is expected to be a major boost to ground staff and facility operators alike, in some cases offering a time saving of up to 75% compared to competitors.

The benefits have already been seen first-hand at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins, where ahead of the Club World Cup a fresh turf stitched pitch was recently completed in just three and a half days.

Two different models have been developed as part of the investment. The first, named Pro-X is designed to cover larger pitches, such as those already completed at Borussia Monchengladbach, Celtic Park and the Racecourse Ground, home to Wrexham Football Club. The second model, Spin-X, is the first hybrid machine made specifically for cricket pitches, with a lower weight and unique made-to-measure wicket option.

Development of the 16 new SIS Grass Hybrid machines will further improve the industry-leading quality, flexibility and speed of SIS Pitches’ stitching capabilities, which are frequently used for major sporting competitions, including the World Cup, Rugby World Cup, NFL, Premier League, Saudi Pro League and several other top European leagues.

Each new machine boasts a patented drum mechanism that allows for faster stitching by enabling forward movement in larger increments than comparable machines. Meanwhile, the combination of a new cutting device and an innovative needle clamp system ensures precision and consistency in every stitch. Both of these features have been recently patented.

Thanks to a fully customisable stitching configuration the new machines can stitch to any depth from 45mm to 180mm. This marks a major step forward from competing technologies of this type, which are generally limited to only two set depths. SIS Grass Hybrid machines can also offer the widest range of spacing options available on the market, from 15×20, 20×20 and 30×20. This ultimately allows grounds managers to specify an installation with the right level of reinforcement for their athletes and climate, while also accommodating the needs of a stadium, pitch profile or budget.

One of the configurations made possible by the new machines is SIS Pitches’ pioneering shallow stitch concept – GameReady Hybrid – with fibres pre-stitched into turf/sod rolls at 45mm depths.

This is a fully tested and data-backed innovation that offers an industry first: the installation of a pre-stitched turf that can be harvested, transported and laid as a ready-to-play reinforced hybrid surface in a matter of days. Three stadiums in the United States have already made use of the unique GameReady system: MetLife in New York, Camping World in Orlando and the Bank of America in North Carolina.

Ivo Lamot, CEO at SIS Pitches said: “The development of our new hybrid pitch stitching machines is a major step forward for us as a business, and demonstrates our continued commitment to innovation and providing the very best playing surfaces. Further, the new machines have immediately raised the bar for stadium owners and operators seeking the quick and customisable installation of a new playing surface.

“Throughout our R&D process, we’ve been conscious that grounds staff working in stadia around the world now typically have much narrower windows in which they are expected to change their pitch. Through a combination of patented technology and stadium-oriented design, we’ve created a solution that meets the evolving needs of customers around the world. Plans are already in place for us to apply this concept to world renowned stadia looking for the fastest ever turnaround between a concert and competitive fixture.

“As a business, our purpose is to power more play. By increasing both the speed and quality of a typical hybrid pitch installation, we’re making stitched hybrid technology more accessible than ever before, ensuring multi-use stadia can host more sporting events and generate more revenue than ever before.”

The fleet of new machines will be deployed across the world throughout July, strategically located in areas of anticipated demand. There will be sets located in Europe, USA, Canada, South America, the Middle East, and also a set that can be moved around the rest of the world as required.

For more information on SIS Pitches’ sports pitch installation services, visit sispitches.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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SIS Pitches completes new hybrid pitch in Reykjavik

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SIS Pitches completes new hybrid pitch in Reykjavik: Global leader in sports surfaces SIS Pitches has completed the installation of a bespoke new hybrid pitch system at Laugardalsvöllur, Iceland’s national football stadium in Reykjavik.

The full design and construction of the new pitch will maximise elite-level football in Iceland, where the country’s subpolar climate has historically made high-standard playing surfaces difficult to maintain. The completion of the project builds on SIS Pitches’ status as the leading pitch builder in Iceland following its successful construction of the pitch at FH Hafnarfjorour in 2023.

SIS Pitches completes new hybrid pitch in Reykjavik

SIS Pitches completes new hybrid pitch in Reykjavik

Laugardalsvöllur’s full hybrid grass pitch benefits from three of SIS Pitches’ advanced concepts, each working in unison to keep the surface play-ready all year round. The SIS Grass Hybrid system features a 95% natural grass surface reinforced with polyethylene fibres to deliver significantly more playing hours than a fully natural pitch, which is especially important given Iceland’s harsh temperatures, high rainfall and limited daylight.

Installed below the pitch itself is the SIS Aqua pop-up irrigation system and the SIS Heat undersoil heating system, which optimises the temperature of the rootzone, encouraging better root growth and reduce the risk of long-term damage. The installation is completed by a bespoke irrigation and undersoil heating system.

Part-funded by the city of Reykjavik, the project was completed over a period of three months. During this period, the installation team successfully navigated challenges posed by snow, ice and temperatures as low as -16°C. Access to the site was also limited in December – a time when good daylight in Iceland can be as little as two hours per day.

After excavating the existing playing area 450mm down to a formation level, the new drainage, irrigation and undersoil heating systems were installed. This was followed by the installation of a lower rootzone, an upper rootzone and the playing surface itself, which benefits from the structured profile underneath.

The hybrid grass fibres were installed to a depth of 180mm and stitched at 2cm x 2cm spacing, increasing the long-term durability of the playing surface. All materials used through the profile of the pitch were tested before being independently verified by leading sports agronomists, OBI Sports, to ensure conformity with industry standards and high performance over their lifespan. The dedicated support provided by SIS Pitches’ team of experts to the stadium’s grounds staff during the grow-in stage ensured no issues were encountered during the quick turnaround from seeding to the first competitive fixture.

Carlos Reis, Director at SIS Pitches, said: “The project was a challenging one due to Iceland’s tough climate, but we always thrive on overcoming challenges. It was a real privilege to bring an elite level playing surface to Iceland’s national stadium. The configuration of the new hybrid pitch will power more play all year round, helping the country to further grow its footballing profile on the international stage.

Michael Walker, International Sales Manager at SIS Pitches, added: “Iceland isn’t necessarily conducive to the effective growth of natural grass, so the hybrid profile really is the ideal solution. Ultimately, it will mean a pitch free of discrepancies, promising uninterrupted play for the Icelandic national team.”

For more information on SIS Pitches’ sports pitch installation services, visit sispitches.com.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Gary Neville’s mission to improve pitches

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Gary Neville’s mission to improve pitches: Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville has launched a Best Worst Pitch Initiative to breathe new life into underfunded grassroots football pitches.

The Best Worst Pitch initiative will provide line painting and pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to 50 UK grassroots clubs.

Gary Neville's mission to improve pitches

Gary Neville’s mission to improve pitches

Read the full story here

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SIS Pitches Approve Campey™ Universe® rotor

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SIS Pitches Approve Campey™ Universe® rotor: The Campey™ Universe® rotor from Campey Turf Care Systems has become a featured and approved method of SIS Grass renovation by SIS Pitches, which is the world’s leading provider of stitched hybrid pitches.

SIS Grass has become the go-to option for clubs and federations worldwide in football and rugby, with every major tournament, from the World Cup and European Championship to the Champions League and Premier League, featuring the surface.

SIS Pitches Approve Campey™ Universe® rotor

SIS Pitches Approve Campey™ Universe® rotor

A significant part of SIS Grass’ success has come through innovation and testing. To get the best consistency and longevity from the system, SIS Pitches has constantly researched ways to keep it at its best, with the Campey Universe® Rotor fitted to the Koro FIELDTOP MAKER (FTM) playing a leading role.

Extensive time and research have gone into the finessing of the Campey™ Universe® rotor for use on hybrid systems, with it now being used worldwide by contractors and end-users to ensure the quality of their pitches.

Group Board Director at SIS Pitches, Ivo Lamot, has worked to develop the hybrid system into a world-leading product, and fully endorses the use of the Universe® rotor on the hybrid surfaces.

“SIS Grass is a world leading stitched hybrid system that is truly innovative, and the Campey™ Universe® rotor has kept pace with that innovation to become an integral part of getting the best from SIS Grass,” he explained.

“At SIS, we’re committed to providing a product that can be used for multiple seasons while always performing at its peak, and a big part of that is the maintenance. Renovations occur yearly, and by using the Campey™ Universe® rotor, all the organic material can be removed without damaging the fibres, leaving the perfect base. That is why we have officially approved the Campey™ Universe® rotor.”

It is an exceptional tool for maintaining and rejuvenating hybrid pitches, combining precision and efficiency to meet the unique demands of these innovative playing surfaces. SIS Grass, a blend of 95% natural grass and synthetic fibres, require specialised care to ensure optimal performance, durability, and player safety. As an attachment to the Koro® FTM®, the Campey Universe® Rotor offers the perfect solution for targeted surface management without damaging the synthetic components of hybrid systems.

This rotor is equipped with specially designed tungsten-tipped blades that are strategically spaced to remove organic matter, thatch, and surface debris with precision. When used on hybrid pitches, it effectively addresses the accumulation of organic material, which can compromise drainage and stability if left untreated. By operating at adjustable depths, the rotor can delicately remove unwanted material without disturbing the synthetic fibres or the underlying structure of the hybrid system.

One of the significant advantages of using the Campey™ Universe® rotor on hybrid pitches is its ability to preserve the natural grass while enhancing the interface between the natural and synthetic components. The process improves aeration and drainage, which encourages healthy grass growth by creating an ideal environment for root development.

Additionally, it facilitates a clean and even surface, preparing the pitch for essential follow-up treatments such as overseeding or topdressing. These procedures are critical for hybrid pitches, as they rely on consistent and sustainable natural grass cover to complement the synthetic elements.

Using the Campey™ Universe® rotor, groundsmen can maintain the integrity and performance of hybrid pitches, ensuring they meet the rigorous standards of professional sports. Its precision and adaptability make it an invaluable tool for extending the lifespan and playability of these high-tech surfaces.

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