Tag Archive for: Technology

Rhenac Sustainable Technology Set to Upgrade Pitch

/in , /by

Rhenac Sustainable Technology Set to Upgrade Pitch: Rhenac is proud to announce the installation of its state-of-the-art CLS® (Complete Light Spectrum) mobile grow lighting systems at Leigh Sports Village.

The project represents a significant dedication to sustainability and sporting excellence, ensuring high-quality pitch conditions for all four professional teams using the venue for football and rugby.

Rhenac Sustainable Technology Set to Upgrade Pitch

Rhenac Sustainable Technology Set to Upgrade Pitch

The contract has been awarded to Turf Lighting Solutions (TLS), part of the Rhenac Group. Based in Standish, Wigan, TLS and their Germany based parent company Rhenac have an outstanding international portfolio, delivering installations for venues including Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and FC Schalke 04 in Germany.

Striking the right balance between international expertise and local economic support was essential for the council, who were keen to back a Wigan borough-based business while equipping Leigh Sports Village with technology that would enhance pitch quality and contribute to the borough’s environmental objectives.

The new Rhenac CLS® systems are at the forefront of environmentally friendly turf management. Intelligent sensors and automated controls ensure the right light, colour spectrum and temperature are delivered precisely when required, promoting strong, healthy turf growth while minimising energy consumption. Integrated UV-C technology helps to manage fungus and disease naturally, while built-in heat panels support recovery and growth during colder periods.

Use of the latest CLS LEDs technology results in turf that requires less water and fertiliser, further reducing the environmental impact. With more than 600 TLS rigs operating across 25 countries, the aluminium frames are proven in some of the world’s most demanding sporting environments. Each unit is constructed from lightweight, anti-rust aluminium that is 100% recyclable, combining durability, efficiency and full material recovery at the end of its service life. With all lighting components and spare parts guaranteed to be available for the next ten years, the system offers venues a secure and future-proof investment supported by a strong service network.

Councillor Susan Gambles, cabinet member at Wigan Council and board member of Leigh Sports Village, said: “Leigh Sports Village is home to incredible athletes, champion teams, and has hosted international events, and it is a key community asset for local people. I am delighted that a borough-based business will deliver this upgrade, in line with our community wealth building ambitions to invest in our local economy.”

Leigh Sports Village is now benefitting directly from this proven technology, transitioning from traditional TLS HPS lighting rigs to Rhenac’s advanced LED systems and delivering a 40% reduction in energy, water, and fertiliser use. The upgrade marks a major step forward in aligning with Wigan Council’s sustainability targets and enhancing the long-term performance of the stadium’s playing surfaces.

Keith Porter, Head Groundsman at Leigh Sports Village, explains: “With high-pressure sodium bulbs set to be phased out by 2030 due to their carbon footprint and high running costs, utilising artificial light and heat in photosynthesis has been a game changer. CLS technology offers the additional ability to precisely control conditions for turf needs, so we are looking forward to implementing this in conjunction with Rhenac TLS.

“Thanks to proactive investment, we will significantly reduce our environmental impact, a major win for Leigh Sports Village and our nearby Pennington Flash Nature Reserve. Huge thanks to Wigan Council for their investment.”

Mark Sinnett, Managing Director of TLS, continues: “Leigh Sports Village is a complex, multi-sport venue that also stages major concerts, so it needs a lighting system that’s efficient, adaptable and environmentally responsible.

“With our sensor-driven CLS technology, the turf now receives targeted and efficient treatment, ensuring optimal growth conditions with minimal energy use.

“This precision control, together with innovative LED laminators, delivers significant energy savings while maintaining ideal growing conditions and reducing waste. Combined with independently operated heat panels, the system supports faster, healthier turf recovery all year round. The addition of smaller RML 50 units provides even greater flexibility across the site, ensuring every area performs consistently and aligns perfectly with Wigan Council’s sustainability goals.”

Through this collaboration, Wigan Council and Leigh Sports Village are setting new standards in sustainable sports turf management by bringing global innovation to local sport and supporting Wigan Council’s wider commitment to achieve Carbon Net Zero by 2038.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

STIGA Showcases Cutting-Edge Technology at Allianz Stadium

/in , /by

STIGA Showcases Cutting-Edge Technology at Allianz Stadium: The STIGA team brought their full range of robotic and professional mowing solutions to the home of England Rugby this week, giving the grounds team at Allianz Stadium the opportunity to put the latest machines through their paces. 

As the newly appointed Official Groundskeeping Partner of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), STIGA was eager to give the Allianz grounds team hands-on experience with the brand’s innovative product range, including its latest autonomous robot mowers, award-winning APX PRO, battery-powered equipment and new electric tractors.

STIGA Showcases Cutting-Edge Technology at Allianz Stadium

STIGA Showcases Cutting-Edge Technology at Allianz Stadium

The STIGA team were amazed at how pristine the pitch looked, even though there had been a tough England v Argentina match the day before. It really highlighted just how tip-top and excellent the grounds staff are when it comes to maintaining their pitches and training grounds.

The roles of groundspeople within the RFU are far-reaching and span both professional and volunteer levels. These experts play a vital role across the RFU, from professional staff at Allianz Stadium, such as the Head Groundsman, to Regional Pitch Advisors who support clubs through the Pitch Advisory Service. At the community level, volunteers help to maintain pitches.

The multi-year partnership with the RFU reflects STIGA’s commitment to easing the load on volunteers and professional grounds teams in pitch maintenance, while ensuring world-class playing surfaces for players at every level. As part of the agreement, STIGA will support the maintenance of pitches and green spaces across the country, from elite England Rugby training facilities to grassroots clubs, by providing access to its cutting-edge autonomous mower technology and professional battery-powered tools.

Designed to deliver outstanding results with minimal effort, STIGA’s intelligent, wireless mowing systems help optimise turf care, reduce workload, and ensure consistently high-quality playing surfaces across the game.

James Gordon, Managing Director of STIGA UK, said:

“As Official Groundskeeping Partner of the RFU, it was very important for STIGA to bring our professional mowers and specialist rugby ground equipment to Allianz Stadium for the grounds team to try first-hand. 2026 will be a superb year for showcasing the quality and innovation of STIGA products, while also supporting clubs as we continue to help elevate standards across the sport.”

Jim Buttar, Head of Grounds and Technical Operations for the RFU, added:

“This has been a superb opportunity to see which STIGA lawn care products will be of greatest value, not only to us at Allianz Stadium but to grassroots clubs across the RFU. We are really looking forward to this partnership, which will allow clubs to excel both on the pitch and in the care of their grounds.”

STIGA will support both the England senior men’s and women’s teams, alongside grassroots rugby clubs across the country. With more than 90 years of garden care expertise, STIGA combines advanced technology with sustainable innovation to deliver professional-level performance on every surface.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Links Kennedy Bay Re-opens with EcoBunker Technology

/in , /by

Links Kennedy Bay Re-opens with EcoBunker Technology: One of Australia’s leading golf courses, Links Kennedy Bay, has fully re-opened following an 18 hole re-design that includes the addition of over 100 pot bunkers featuring synthetic revetted faces from U.K. bunker specialists EcoBunker.

The ambitious project was led by former Tour professional and acclaimed course architect Graham Marsh, working alongside Western Australian industry leader Trevor Strachan. With the original back nine sold for development, the redesign required a brand-new back nine as well as the rerouting of holes 5 to 9. The changes gave Marsh a rare blank canvas to elevate playing conditions while safeguarding the long-term integrity of the course.

Links Kennedy Bay Re-opens with EcoBunker Technology

Links Kennedy Bay Re-opens with EcoBunker Technology

“The use of EcoBunker was validated through a feasibility study by Trevor Strachan, which confirmed its long-term advantages over natural revetting,” said Adam Strachan of Sports Turf Construction, project manager for the redevelopment. “I was initially concerned about using synthetic faces in such a beautiful, natural landscape, but the results are superb. The bunkers are indistinguishable from natural revetts and come with a minimum 25-year lifespan.”

Chief among the challenges for the re-design were the extreme weather conditions in the area. Along with the very hot, dry summers, Perth is renowned as one of the windiest cities in the world. In addition, the region receives up to 600mm of rain annually, most of which comes in the winter months, making bunkers vulnerable to sand blow, wash out and erosion.

“The course previously had natural revetted bunkers, but with exposure to the elements many wasted away into sandy faces and became very irregular. The new design ensures consistency across the course, maintains the intended challenge that golfers face from the bunkers, delivers a sharp, natural aesthetic and will do all these things for many years without significant maintenance,” continued Strachan.

Bunker walls on the course now range from 60cm to a dramatic 1.8 metres. Installed by Sports Turf Construction with support from EcoBunker Australian distributor Turfcare Australia, the system adapted to every design challenge across the four phase project.

“The course takes inspiration from the world’s great links courses,” Strachan concluded. “We’re particularly proud of our interpretation of the famous ‘Hell Bunker’ from the 14th at St Andrews. EcoBunker gave us the stability to create an intimidating, visually striking feature that will stand the test of time. After building 100+ EcoBunkers at Kennedy Bay, I’ll be looking to use this technology wherever possible in future projects.”

For more information on how EcoBunker can help meet the challenges faced at your course, visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

For all enquiries relating to Australian-New Zealand and South Pacific, please contact Turfcare Australasia at www.turfcareaus.com.au or Sales@turfcareaus.com.au

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Rhenac RML 400 Delivers Full Spectrum LED Technology

/in , /by

Rhenac RML 400 Delivers Full Spectrum LED Technology: Rhenac, the grow lighting specialists, has launched the RML 400, the latest addition to its CLS® (Complete Light Spectrum) product range, delivering scientifically optimised turf care across a 400 sqm footprint.

Designed for venues seeking compact, efficient and sustainable pitch management, the RML 400 combines industry-leading LED technology with lightweight rig design, to provide world-class turf growth under artificial conditions.

Rhenac RML 400 Delivers Full Spectrum LED Technology

Rhenac RML 400 Delivers Full Spectrum LED Technology

Modern stadiums and training centres are under increasing pressure to deliver consistent playing surfaces all year round, often under shade from stands and meeting demanding fixture schedules. For grounds professionals, maintaining health turf in these conditions requires tools that not only stimulate growth but do so effectively. The RML 400 has been developed to meet these challenges, providing an adaptable, high-performance solution that integrates seamlessly into the daily routines of venue managers and their teams.

At the heart of the RML 400 is CLS® by Rhenac®, the only patented LED system that replicates the full spectrum of natural sunlight. This unique approach is backed by over 12 years of plant research at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and proven performance at elite stadiums, including the Santiago Bernabéu and Schalke’s Veltins-Arena.

The results are measurable with up to 100% more root growth, double the biomass, 40% fewer input requirements, and 30% more playable hours. With just three RML 400 rigs, pitch managers can achieve full-pitch width coverage with 90% light homogeneity, supporting faster germination and quicker recovery.

Horst Theisen, CEO of Rhenac, explains, “The RML 400, using our LED research from the Technical University of Munich, combines our latest footprint technology and the market’s best homogeneity across 400 square meters, meaning an even coverage with consistent turf quality across all treated zones.

“For us, it’s not just about one monochromatic light; it’s much more. It’s about creating balanced light recipes that replicate natural sunlight and adjusting temperature to support every stage of turf growth.”

“Red light stimulates germination and shoot growth, while blue light promotes root development, shear strength, leaf structure and density. White light enhances overall turf health and vitality, while far red drives length growth. The ability to create bespoke recipes with this mixture of light, combined with infrared heating, ensures the optimal conditions for turf recovery, resilience and consistent playability.”

“We also have analysers and real-time sensors that look deeper into the leaf to understand more about the reaction of the pitch to the light and its circumstances. This allows grounds teams to focus on branching, recovery, and pitch density, and that’s only possible by creating different light recipes.”

Alongside its advanced lighting technology, the RML 400 benefits from Rhenac’s collaboration with TLS, pioneers of single-row aluminium mobile lighting. This ensures a lightweight, easy-to-handle rig that’s practical for grounds teams to transport, deploy and store.

These design benefits translate directly into ease of use for grounds teams. Other features of the RML 400 system include intuitive controls, light sensor automation and smart remote operation from pitchside.

To ensure long-term reliability, Rhenac will provide spare parts for 10 years, and the product will be supported by a comprehensive service model, combining remote assistance with a dedicated international service team.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

STIGA Technology Enhances Glenapp Castle’s Gardens

/in , /by

STIGA Technology Enhances Glenapp Castle’s Gardens: The STIGA team is proud to announce that Glenapp Castle, Relais & Châteaux, perched high above the dramatic coastline of southwest Scotland, has chosen STIGA’s robot mowers to care for its historic lawns.

Overlooking the Irish Sea and the iconic Ailsa Craig Island, Glenapp Castle is a baronial retreat hidden within 110 acres of enchanting parkland, including an Italian garden designed by renowned horticulturalist Gertrude Jekyll. Beneath its fairytale towers and turrets lie grand interiors adorned with rich fabrics, art, and antiques that echo the splendour of a bygone era. With award-winning cuisine, access to country sports and world-class golf, and its own all-weather boat for exploring the surrounding isles, Glenapp Castle offers an unrivalled Scottish escape.

STIGA Technology Enhances Glenapp Castle’s Gardens

STIGA Technology Enhances Glenapp Castle’s Gardens

STIGA’s range of autonomous robot mowers has been officially certified by Quiet Mark, making STIGA the only autonomous robotic mower brand to receive this prestigious recognition. Combining cutting-edge innovation with eco-conscious engineering, the mowers deliver exceptional performance while operating with minimal noise, helping to preserve the tranquillity of gardens and estates like Glenapp.

The adoption of STIGA’s robotic mowing technology has already proven transformative at Glenapp Castle, complementing the expertise of the estate’s gardening team and allowing them to dedicate more time to vital restoration and conservation work.

Jill Chalmers, Managing Director of Glenapp Castle, said:

“We are delighted to introduce STIGA’s Quiet Mark-certified robotic mowers to our estate. The technology not only maintains our gardens to the highest standard, but also does so in harmony with the peaceful surroundings that our guests so greatly value. This innovation supports our talented gardening team, allowing them to focus on preserving the heritage and natural beauty of Glenapp Castle for generations to come.”

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.