SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/338693
www.stma.org July 2014 | SportsTurf 43 synthetic turf marking paints on the market were simply modified versions of success- ful natural grass paints, with one formula fitting all seasons, climates and play expecta- tions. These early products were formulated to thickly coat the synthetic turf strands in order to achieve effective adhesion to a plastic surface. They significantly altered the play surface and proved difficult to remove, resulting in a high risk of turf damage and extra wear in the removal process. Also, once removed from the turf strands, these prod- ucts could leave stubborn residue on the field that degraded the appearance of the turf and interfered with play quality. The trend toward increased multi-event use has driven the further evolution of paint products. The practice of simply buying and applying a paint without regard for precon- ditioning and eventual removal has been displaced by a more systematic approach to field painting and removal. As a manufac- turer of field conditioners, paints, removers and turf cleaning equipment, these mar- ket trends have been very favorable for us. We entered the market with the benefit of hindsight and proceeded to build our prod- ucts, equipment and service model as an integrated system. We began by working with the Seattle Seahawks to gain a thor- ough understanding of the problems they were facing with field painting and removal. Early on in the process, we identified two essential product features: our paint had to coat without altering the play characteristics of the turf, and it should re-liquefy when it is removed. We also identified the need to offer different paint and remover formulas to accommodate different field change plans and seasonal factors. Rapid evolution in the market is pointing toward the need for more of a system-fo- cused rather than product-focused approach. Rather than just shopping for paint in a pail, turf care professionals will be looking for a comprehensive start-to-finish solution for field painting and paint removal, adjustable to varying field conditions and intended duration of use. Our paint lines currently include three different grades to suit dif- ferent permanence requirements and still work well with our removers and removal equipment. At the top of our equipment line, our Mantis Hydro- extractor was the first of its kind in the market, specifically designed and engineered to work with our paints and removers to extract paint removal waste from the turf. Thorough extraction is rapidly becoming the standard for paint removal in order to minimize removal residue remaining in the turf, or to be flushed through the turf to potentially interfere with field drainage. As the market continues to grow in size and field use intensity, we anticipate that the systems required to satisfy this market will also continue to grow in complexity. Future systems will involve increasingly sophisti- cated products and equipment, combined with technical know-how, placing growing demands on those who provide coatings, removers, conditioners, equipment and the essential technical expertise. Virtually every synthetic turf product comes from the factory with certain residual chemicals that tend to interfere with field paint adhesion, at least for the first several application and removal cycles. Everyone who has experienced the challenge of apply- ing field paints to newly installed synthetic turf will understand and appreciate the value of a product that is formulated to pre-condi- tion new turf surfaces to make them more paint friendly. Our metallic paints were produced in response to several client requests and bring a whole new dimension to the art of logo painting. Our TempLine Turf Green responds to the growing demand for a natural grass prod- uct to keep grass green in hot dry climates and to extend the green appearance of grass in dormant periods. This product responds to growing market interest resulting from recent persistent drought conditions across the country. Further into the future, we see the oppor- tunity for a number of products, including the next generation of our Mantis extractor, and a permanent field painting system for synthetic turf. On the natural grass side of our business we will be adding colors to our line, a low cost paint mixing station and possibly a growth inhibitor paint option. Given this increasingly complex combina- tion of materials and equipment, an essential value will be our willingness and ability to share product information and use guidance—to counsel new and existing customers in deal- ing with a special need or circumstance. It also demands that we be able to share this knowl- edge in a broad reaching, real time fashion. This becomes even more essential as the number of synthetic field users continues to grow. In response to this challenge, we are gathering and organizing a vast body of knowledge we have accumulated over the early years, then translat- ing and packaging it to make it more readily available to our clients. Our multi-channel communication plan includes the use of more informative product information materials, website content and tools, training materials and the expansion of our service outlets through the addition of qualified distributors and dealers across the country. One thing everyone can likely agree on is the inevitability of change. The increased use of artificial turf for athletic surfaces represents a sea change that will continue to challenge everyone in our market, including manufac- turers and their customers. The opportunities for those of us in the field-marking segment are substantial, but will require new ways of thinking about how the market is best served. Regardless of one's position at the table, the need for information will be at the heart of a successful adaptation to change along with the ability to react with the right products and services. ■