Tag Archive for: Production

TGA bans use of plastic netting in turfgrass production

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TGA bans use of plastic netting in turfgrass production: Following extensive member engagement and feedback, the Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA), the leading body representing the UK turfgrass industry, has announced a bold and progressive step towards environmental sustainability by banning the use of plastic netting in turf production by its members. This decision, supported overwhelmingly by members in a recent vote, will take effect from 31st October 2026.

The decision to ban plastic netting reflects the TGA’s commitment to sustainable practices. From 31st October 2026, grower members must cease using plastic netting to grow turf, in order to retain their membership of the association during the 2026/27 subscription year and beyond.

TGA bans use of plastic netting in turfgrass production

TGA bans use of plastic netting in turfgrass production

Richard Owens, Chair of the TGA, commented: “This is a defining moment, and the decision reflects the growing consensus among our members and the wider industry about the urgent need to prioritise sustainability. By committing to eliminate plastic netting, the TGA is leading the way towards a more environmentally responsible future for turf production in the UK.”

Despite industry efforts to develop alternatives, there are currently no proven, cost-effective bio-degradable netting solutions widely available that meet the practical and economic requirements of turf production. While some options, such as degradable or biobased netting, have shown promise, challenges remain regarding durability, affordability, and large-scale adoption. This underscores the importance of continued research and innovation to find viable, sustainable solutions.

The vote saw overwhelming support from TGA members, with 17 voting in favour of the ban and just 1 against. The TGA is committed to supporting its members during the transition period by providing guidance, resources, and collaborative opportunities to explore and implement alternative practices.

This initiative represents a significant milestone for the turfgrass industry, aligning with broader environmental goals across the agricultural and horticultural sectors. The TGA’s decision sets an important precedent for adopting sustainable practices in industries that impact the environment.

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SIS Pitches expands production capabilities

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SIS Pitches expands production capabilities: The UK’s leading synthetic turf manufacturer, SIS Pitches has made a major investment at its Cumbria manufacturing facility and in the growth of its team as the business targets further strategic growth across a number of international markets.

SIS Pitches produces premium hybrid, synthetic and natural pitches for an array of sports, including football, rugby, hockey, padel, Gaelic sports, multi-use games areas, tennis and cricket.

SIS Pitches expands production capabilities

SIS Pitches expands production capabilities

The company has spent over £500,000 on two new tufting machines at its factory in Maryport, which will more than double the site’s capacity to produce elite level sports surfaces from new and existing clients including Celtic Football Club, Rangers Football Club, Saracens Rugby Club and Loughborough University.

The major investment follows three years of controlled growth, which has seen SIS Group – the business comprising SIS Pitches as well as specialist machinery and undersoil drainage divisions – grow turnover by an annualised 30% over recent years. This growth has seen the company increase the size of its team by over 25% during the same period.

Last month saw SIS Group open a new office in Warsaw, Poland, from which a new business unit will be based with the remit to expand the company’s presence across Central Europe. This move followed a similar investment in Saudi Arabia, where the opening of a new office in Riyadh coincided with SIS Pitches recent installation of the world’s first fully indoor hybrid pitch in just 21 days at Riyadh’s iconic Kingdom Arena.

Over the last 12 months alone, SIS Group has experienced significant growth in other emerging international markets. The business grew its footprint in Georgia significantly following the successful installation and ongoing maintenance of 11 hybrid pitches for the UEFA under-21 European Championships. Similarly, it has also diversified its offering in the UAE through the provision of Padel courts in addition to baseball and equestrian surfaces across the country. Two new turf farms, in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, were also purchased to facilitate the production and transportation of SIS’s own turf to Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

The newer, more powerful tufting machines in Maryport will be used to manufacture SISTurf, SIS’s synthetic pitch product used by some of the world’s biggest sports teams, as well as schools, colleges and universities worldwide.

With the new machines capable of reaching up to 600 RPM, SIS will now be able to design and manufacture product at a much quicker rate while using 20% less energy. The global sports surface specialist will also be able to prepare new turf designs as separate orders are being completed, made possible by the double creels fitted on each machine. As well as increasing SIS’s own output, the move will also enable further sales to third-party installers.

In anticipation of further growth for versatile sports surfaces from its global client base, SIS Group has also made six senior appointments.

Dan Meredith joins as Group Marketing Director with a focus on executing a first-class marketing, advertising and communications strategy, with Lucas Poen taking up the role of Operations Director with the aim to scale the operations of SIS Grass while increasing efficiencies.

Simon Drury is taking on the role of Sustainability Manager to strengthen SIS Group’s B-Corp certification as well as steering it towards achieving Net Zero by the end of 2028. Also joining the business is Duncan Drury as Head of IT to foster innovation and implement standardised IT procedures, while Dan Ramsdale has been recruited as SIS Project Manager for its specialist maintenance contracts service.

Finally, Rafal Abel joins as the company’s new Business Development Representative for Poland and will be based at the company’s new office in Warsaw.

George Mullan, CEO at SIS Group, said: “We are committed to the development of exceptional playing surfaces using the latest materials and manufacturing techniques. Our latest investment will make us more efficient and is a signal of our intent to grow, just as we experience sustained interest from some of the most recognisable names in sport.

“But this is also a commitment to our future as a UK-based manufacturer,” continues George. “With these new machines, we will be able to complete more projects at home and abroad. This will have a real impact at both elite and grassroots level, giving people more opportunity to participate in their chosen sport.”

SISTurf is made with a choice of monofilament or fibrillated yarns – or a mixture of the two – plus thatch support yarn. This provides exceptional performance and durability, making it easier for facilities teams and groundspeople to maintain a consistent, high-quality playing surface. The product forms part of SIS’s wider portfolio of sports surface solutions, which includes the hybrid variant SISGrass made using a small percentage of polymer fibre stitched into a natural grass pitch.

For more information on SISTurf, visit: www.sispitches.com/services/synthetic-turf-manufacturing

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DLF expands production

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DLF expands production: The UK’s largest grass seed supplier, DLF, have announced the completion of a £3.5m investment programme to increase production efficiency and meet market demand across the domestic, landscape and sports turf sectors.

The introduction of new mixing plant technology known as ‘Titan’ to the breeding centre in Inkberrow, Worcestershire, promises to both continue and improve seed quality, increase capacity and play a huge part in supporting the growth of DLF’s UK operations.

DLF expands production

DLF expands production

Parent company to many leading sports seed brands including Johnsons Sports Seed, MM and Masterline, alongside leading wild flower ranges Pro Flora and Colour Boost, DLF has undertaken major redevelopment over the last few years to benefit customers and company alike as they continue to set the quality standard for professional grass seed. ‘Titan’ – derived from Greek mythology and symbolising great strength, intellect or importance – is a new mixing plant technology which will more than double the production capability and provide higher in-season capacity and efficiency.

Titan is equipped with 48 seed bins of seven cubic metres, which can hold up to 3 tonnes of seed depending on the species. The pneumatic closed system can input 12 tonnes per hour, and output 6 tonnes per hour from bins to mixers, significantly improving line efficiency through automation. The rotary valves, diverter valves and connecting pipes of ‘Titan’ are all self-cleaning which means that, alongside DLF’s ‘star cleaner’, seed purity is optimised and contamination during the mixing process is eliminated.

The bespoke control software is also fully integrated with DLF’s operating system, bringing new enhancements to ordering and availability and ensuring optimal supply during peak seasons.

Commenting on the investment, DLF Director of Operations UK Martin Swinnerton said, “Titan promises to be a fantastic asset for DLF and in turn our leading sports turf ranges. We have experienced unprecedented demand for product across our portfolio in recent years and with this technology we can output more products to keep up with demand levels and thereby help us to satisfy both new and existing customers by guaranteeing not only a fast but reliable supply chain.”

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Jacobsen production begins in UK

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Jacobsen production begins in UK: Production of the first-ever HR800 has been completed at the Ransomes Jacobsen Centre of Excellence in Ipswich, England.

The completion of the first-ever fully built Jacobsen HR800 mower is a seminal moment for the brand. Production has been moved to the factory in Ipswich, UK so investments in skills and developments in mower production could be focused on a single facility. That skill and expertise has been channeled into the new HR800 high-performance large area rotary mower.

Jacobsen Production Begins in UK

Jacobsen Production Begins in UK

Jacobsen Key Account Manager Andre Andrade, who hails from Augusta, GA has observed the progress of the mower throughout the build and is excited to see the HR800 kick-off Jacobsen production in Ipswich.

“It has been great to start production of the HR800, and to see the first fully assembled machine is exciting,” Andre begins. “Bringing all Jacobsen production to England is an important step for us, and everyone at the factory has been eager to get it underway. The situation with Coronavirus has caused challenges all over the world, but for us, it has solidified our relationship with our colleagues in America who have assisted our Production Team Leader, Matt Pipe, during construction.

“Matt has worked almost singlehandedly, producing this mower, and as a result, we now have someone who is an expert. When it comes to customer support, that will be a huge asset because in Matt we have someone who can offer in-depth advice because he has an insight into that machine that no one else has. Over time that knowledge will be shared with the engineers in the factory and the sales team, so we will all have a strong understanding of the product as we do with the others we produce here.”

The mower Matt has dedicated his time and efforts to is Jacobsen’s most powerful with the widest cut. Productivity is a crucial aspect of every turf maintenance operation, and with the HR800, Jacobsen has created a mower that works where you need it to and when you need it to.

Completing this project has taken over two months, from picking parts from pallets to the finished mower. It has been Matt’s biggest challenge in his eight years at Ransomes Jacobsen and one he has taken great pride in.

He explains: “I’ve been here for eight years, and I was around for the BETA build of the MP, so to be able to do this is quite something for me. I’m really proud of what we produce here at the factory, and I’m proud to be able to say that I was the first to build the HR800 in the UK.

“It has been a unique opportunity to learn everything about this mower because we started with technical drawings and parts on pallets through to the finished product. Doing that means I’ve been able to use what I already know and work with the production engineers on certain areas, and Antans Lukisis on the hydraulic system so I’ve constantly been learning throughout the process. I think that’s what has made it so enjoyable.”

The HR800 features a powerful 74hp Kubota® turbo diesel engine that takes the 192 in. (4.9 m) width of cut wherever you need it, and onboard systems ensure consistent professional mowing in the harshest of conditions.

MARBAIN® Boron Alloy Steel blades deliver the cut quality you’d expect from a Jacobsen unit. Whether you’re cutting golf course roughs, racecourses, or parks and minimal required maintenance gets you cutting quickly and keeps you there until the job is done.

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JCB stops production as demand slows

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JCB stops production as demand slows: JCB is today stopping production at all of its UK manufacturing plants as disruption resulting from the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic causes an unprecedented reduction in global demand.

The company is halting production for the rest of this week and the whole of next week at its nine manufacturing plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham.  Shop floor employees affected by the move will be paid in full during this period.  No decision has yet been taken on what happens from the week commencing Monday, March 30th and beyond. Office staff will continue to work a 39-hour week, with many working from home, in support of the Government’s social distancing policy.

JCB stops production as demand slows

JCB stops production as demand slows

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “These measures are unprecedented in the history of JCB but are absolutely necessary to protect the business. As we continue to deal with the health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more challenging to maintain business continuity in this volatile economic climate. JCB is a global exporter and worldwide demand for our products has dropped sharply as customers cancel orders and defer deliveries. This is not just a UK issue, it is worldwide and with countries like France, Spain and Italy going into lock-down, those key markets for construction equipment disappear overnight.

“In light of this fast-changing situation, we need to re-plan our production and, as a result, manufacturing at all UK factories will cease for the rest of this week and all of next week. This will allow us to take stock of the situation, re-plan our order book, prioritise products that are definitely required by customers, and ensure parts and components are reassigned to support the production of these products.”

JCB’s plant in Pudong, near Shanghai, ceased production last month as the impact of the pandemic initially took hold. After several weeks of disruption, the factory is now fully operational again.

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