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 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 states.
The investment will allow SIS “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”.

Speed and flexibility
The need for speed and flexibility without compromising 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, it adds.
The fleet can complete a full hybrid pitch install “far quicker than before”, thanks to a more compact design that allows two units to be transported in a single shipping container, so together they can reportedly cut typical installation period of a full-sized football pitch from an industry average of around ten days to just over three.
At the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, a new turf stitched pitch was finished ahead of the Club World Cup in three and a half days.

Machines for larger and smaller sizes

Two models have been developed – Pro-X for larger pitches (already completed at Borussia Monchengladbach, Celtic Park and Wrexham FC’s Racecourse Ground) and Spin-X, “the first hybrid machine made specifically for cricket pitches, with lower weight and made-to-measure wicket option”.
The machines can stitch to any depth from 45 to 180 mm, with spacing options from 15 x 20, 20 x 20 and 30 x 20 “to allow grounds managers to specify an installation with the right level of reinforcement, while also accommodating the needs of a stadium, pitch profile or budget”, SIS says.
A configuration the machines allow is SIS’ shallow stitch GameReady Hybrid concept, with fibres pre-stitched into turf or sod rolls at 45 mm depths to deliver turf that can be harvested, transported and laid as a ready-to-play reinforced hybrid surface in a matter of days. MetLife in New York, Camping World in Orlando and the Bank of America in North Carolina stadia have already received the system.
“Throughout our R&D process, we’ve been conscious that groundstaff working in stadia around the world now typically have much narrower windows in which they are expected to change their pitch,” said Ivo Lamot, SIS Pitches CEO.

Evolving needs
“Through 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.”
“By increasing 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.”
The fleet was due to be “strategically” deployed worldwide in July in Europe, USA, Canada, South America, the Middle East, with a set that can be moved around the rest of the world as required.
sispitches.com