THE grass is greener for an Altham company after it increased production of its synthetic turf to roll out at schools and sports clubs.

Nordon, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of artificial grass sports surfaces, has invested in a new state-of-the-art synthetic grass tufting machine to meet customer demand.

The modified electronic ‘Tuftomatic’, installed at Nordon’s manufacturing base will increase the speed of the manufacturing process, and also provide greater flexibility, control and versatility.

The machine will manufacture its ‘premier’ and ‘classic’ sand-dressed and sand-filled surfaces, which are used for hockey, tennis and football.

A surface from the ‘premier’ range has been installed as a full-size hockey pitch at Westholme School, in Blackburn, and surfaces from the ‘classic’ range have been installed on tennis courts at Corporation Park, in Blackburn, and Clitheroe Tennis Club.

Alternative types of synthetic grass sports pitch surfaces it manufactures have also recently been installed at Witton Park High School, Blackburn; Sir John Thursby Community College, Burnley; Unity College, Burnley; St Christopher’s CE High School, Accrington; Blackburn Youth Zone, Blackburn; and Accrington Academy.

Bill Pomfret, managing director of Nordon, said: “Our new machine manufactures synthetic grass at a much faster rate. Due to its electronic nature, it’s also much quicker and easier to switch from manufacturing one type of surface, to an alternative surface with different requirements.

“Our sports surfaces are designed and manufactured according to the customer’s specific needs, and meet international performance requirements.

“This investment simply supports our ability to provide a tailored and responsive service to the schools, sports clubs and local authorities we install high-performance facilities for.”