FieldTurf
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
FieldTurf is a Montreal-based company that installs artificial grass playing surfaces identified by the FieldTurf trademark. Artificial grass is designed to simulate natural grass and is often used where a grass-like field is required, but where natural grass is not feasible.
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[edit] The Product
FieldTurf uses a sand and crumb rubber mixture to mimic natural soil, and special plastic shafts are used to simulate blades of grass. FieldTurf is a major synthetic turf competitor, contributing to the replacement of what was once the most popular artificial turf, AstroTurf. As of 2005, seven out of the nine Canadian Football League teams had installed either FieldTurf or a similar surface, as had a number of National Football League and Major League Baseball clubs. Many high schools have also started using Field Turf.
[edit] Business
To combat the inroads into the market by FieldTurf, the manufacturer of AstroTurf, Southwest Recreational Industries, duplicated the product so closely in its AstroPlay line that FieldTurf sued the American company for patent infringement. FieldTurf lost the suit for lack of evidence[1], and in late 2003 was ordered to reimburse Southwest Recreational Industries for approximately $4.3 million in legal expenses[2]. However, in early 2004 Southwest Recreational Industries filed for bankruptcy, citing heavy debt and inability to keep up with rapid market growth[3].
[edit] Installations
As of October, 2006, FieldTurf and their European partner Tarkett offer 4 different FIFA recommended systems for use in soccer, except for the World Cup finals (more info can be found at the FIFA website. FIFA's policy is to actively encourage the installation of artificial turf of the newest generation where conditions demand it, and many European clubs are said to be considering installing it. Several UK teams have installed it as a training pitch, but as of October 2006, only one club (Hamilton Academical F.C.) uses FieldTurf for their first-team matches. The Scottish Premier League banned synthetic pitches for competition matches in 2005. In the same year, Saprissa Stadium in San José, Costa Rica became the first stadium to host a World Cup qualifying match on FieldTurf.
In 2000, FieldTurf was installed University of Washington's Husky Stadium, which was being used as the Seattle Seahawks home field for two years, following the implosion of the Kingdome in March 2000. This would be the first FieldTurf in the NFL. The response was so favorable from NFL players, especially linemen, that plans for a natural grass field at the new venue were scrapped, and FieldTurf was installed for opening day at Qwest Field (originally Seahawks Stadium) in 2002.
Super Bowl XL, featuring the Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers, marks the first time that the Super Bowl has been played on this new generation turf. The Ford Field installation differs slightly from the standard installation as the recycled rubber used is made from recalled Firestone tires[4]. It was installed in the facilities that both teams practiced on while in Detroit. Although the Seahawks play on FieldTurf at Qwest Field, the Steelers play on natural grass at Heinz Field.
