Gerard van 't Klooster to join SGL

SGL is proud to announce that Gerard van 't Klooster will join SGL as per 1st May. Gerard, who has been working at the seed company Barenbrug for more than two decades, is regarded by many as a true expert on grass.

His move may come as a surprise, after so many years of service at Barenbrug, but Gerard explains his reasons: "I have always enjoyed working at Barenbrug but felt that it was time for some change, for a new challenge. SGL offers me the chance, as an Agronomist, to focus on qualitative research and consultancy towards clients. I have been involved in the SGL Concept since the very start of it and I am impressed by the developments over the past few years. SGL has a unique view on total pitch management which I fully support. A lot has already become clear about grass growth, but there is even more to be learnt, and I look forward to contribute to that."

In his new role Van 't Klooster will be responsible for the R&D and Consultancy activities of SGL. "Gerard has many years of experience and is internationally known for his knowledge and expertise on grass," says Nico van Vuuren, Managing Director at SGL. "We achieved a lot in the past few years but are constantly looking for ways to expand our knowledge and business activities. I believe Gerard can play a vital role in that and the fact that Gerard joins us proves that we are heading in the right direction."

Wembley Stadium expands

In December 2006, even before the official opening, the Wembley Stadium started with a trial of the SGL Concept. In order to keep the pitch in top quality throughout the whole year, in spite of the busy schedule, the project has been expanded to 9 units type MU₃₆₀

Steve Welch, Head Groundsman of the Wembley Stadium, is very pleased with the results. "Because we can now treat the whole pitch with the SGL Concept I am confident that we can have an excellent pitch throughout the entire year".

Strong growth SGL Concept

Since the first project at PSV in 2004, the SGL Concept has realized good results at all projects. Apart from the ultimate goal, a top quality pitch and improved playing quality, many projects also benefit financially by cost savings and additional revenues. The SGL Concept has brought about a true revolution in pitch management and has lead to a significant increase in the number of stadiums that work with the SGL Concept in 2007. Meanwhile we are now active in 30 stadiums.

SGL has not only grown in number of projects, but also geographically. Until recently we were only active in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, but in the past year Germany, Spain, Greece, Russia and Australia have been added.

Start of first Australian project

A few months ago we already announced the introduction of the SGL Concept in Australia, that is at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne. The largest installation in the history of SGL -the pitch of the Telstra Dome is more than twice the size of a European standard football pitch- has been shipped from Rotterdam to Melbourne beginning of December, a six week journey. Everything was installed by the end of January and recently the actual treatment of the pitch has started.

Arena Manager Gavin Darby is looking forward to it. "We have spent a couple of months on the preparations and we are totally ready for it. We are proud that the Telstra Dome is the first stadium in Australia to apply this innovative technology and everyone here has been looking forward to it for months. The expectations are very high, but I have seen the results in Europe and expect it to be a success here as well".

SGL continues to guarantee quality

In the past SGL has already guaranteed a number of stadiums at the beginning of the project that a good pitch would be achieved, which is unique in the sports industry. SGL is convinced of the possibilities of the SGL Concept and will therefore also in the future continue to guarantee the quality. This can be achieved by a tight process control, extensive analyses, advice and research, but especially by a good cooperation with the groundsman.

SGL constantly continues to advise and support the customer and we do not walk away from our responsibilities. The satisfaction of our customers is top priority for SGL. If the customer is not satisfied, we believe that the customer should not experience any financial damage. "The quality guarantee is essential for SGL", says SGL Managing Director Nico van Vuuren, "it keeps the customer satisfied and it ensures a sharp and focused organization, because of the increased pressure."

Good results Germany

This season SGL has started with the first projects in Germany. Since October 2007 the SGL Concept operates at VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt and the results are very promising. Both in the Volkswagen Arena of Wolfsburg and in the Commerzbank Arena of Frankfurt the pitch is considerably better than in the past and there is a good grass cover and a healthy root growth.

SGL Managing Director Nico van Vuuren is satisfied with the progress made: "For us Germany is an important step forward and we are happy with the positive results, at Wolfsburg and Frankfurt they are very pleased as well."

Expansion of R&D projects

SGL is continuously engaged in further developing its knowledge and technologies that enhance the pitch quality. In the coming year the following R&D projects will be carried out:

- Grass growth in a totally closed environment
- Cooling for pitches to attain optimal temperature for grassgrowh in summer
- Investigation into the application of LED lighting
- Electrical pitch heating

Furthermore the decision is made not to continue the CO₂ test that was set up at the beginning of 2006. Although the results of the test are reasonably positive and the effects can be calculated very well, too many bottlenecks on the operational level have been identified. SGL is of the opinion that at this moment the technology cannot be implemented on a large scale in a stadium.

Finally the growth model, that forms the basis of the SGL Concept, will be further developed and expanded in the course of this year in order to be able to determine even better the influence of the different growth factors. Edwin van der Knaap, an expert in the field of cultivation technology growth models will be responsible for this. Amongst other things Edwin will incorporate the factors of treading on the pitch (matches and training sessions) and temperature into the growth model.

SGL Masterclass London very successful

Every year SGL organises a Masterclass for the groundsmen and stadium managers who work with the SGL Concept. These two day meetings are entirely focused on sharing knowledge and experience of both practical and theoretical aspects.

This year the Maserclass took place on 11th and 12th March in London, at the Twickenham Stadium, the Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane. These stadiums were selected because they all have a different type of pitch, a seeded pitch at Twickenham, grass rolls at Wembley and Grassmaster at Tottenham.

About 40 participants kicked off at the Twickenham Stadium. Here Head Groundsman Keith Kent made an inspiring presentation on the stadium and on how he uses the SGL Concept and other tools in his daily pitch maintenance. After that the quality of the pitch and the way in which Keith and his team have achieved this excellent quality was extensively discussed during a pitch visit. SGL Managing Director Nico van Vuuren closed the day with a presentation on the ins and outs of growth lighting. After this the whole group headed for the Wembley Stadium, where the programme on the second day was to take place.

The next day, after an introduction by Head Groundsman Steve Welch, a visit was made to the Wembley pitch. This was followed by a presentation by both Kate Entwistle of the Turf Disease Centre and Colin Fleming of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute. They had been invited by SGL and gave a very extensive and interesting presentation on nematodes and grass diseases. After lunch the group left for Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane, where this very successful Masterclass ended with a pitch visit.

SGL at Stadia Design and Technology in Warschau

This year SGL will again be present at the annual event organised by Stadia on 15th and 16th April in Warsaw.

"Stadia Design and Technology 2008 brings together the largest stadium exploiters and their potential suppliers. The combination of an exposition and a conference gives a unique overall picture of the latest developments in the field of stadium facilities."

Visit SGL at stand 120 and find out everything there is to know about the SGL Concept, the latest projects and the product developments.

Product overview 2008

In addition to the existing products, the product range of SGL has been expanded this year.
- Integrated Solution
- Mobile Units
      - MU₃₆₀
      - MU₁₆₀
      - MU₃₆
      - MU₂₈
      - MU₁₈
- Shade Analysis
- Analyser
- Advice

The type number for the Mobile Unit stands for the number of square meters that can be treated with it. All units can be equipped with different type of fixtures, such as the 1000 Watt / 400 Volt, the 750 W / 400 V and the 600 W / 400 V. Light levels can thus be set from 125 to 350 micromol.

The MU₃₆₀ will also be available as a multifunctional model, adjustable in height and with automated movement. In May three new models will be presented: the Multifunctional MU₃₆₀, the MU₃₆ and the MU₂₈.