Maintenance Company Launch Hailed a Resounding Success

Replay, the dedicated, new maintenance company launched by the Charles Lawrence Group has already been hailed a resounding success with clients and within the synthetic sports surfaces sector.

The new business is a separate, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Charles Lawrence Group. It offers a comprehensive service to customers in all areas of synthetic sports surface maintenance from the innovative and patented
Rejuvenation™ process to regular brushing and repairs, pressure cleaning and safety checks.

The Company, headed by Tony Hession, only began trading at the start of the year and has already attracted a wide customer base.  Current customers of Charles Lawrence Surfaces were of course the first to take advantage of the new service but due to a high-profile marketing campaign that took Replay to exhibitions in the UK and abroad, a far wider customer base has been attracted by the depth of experience and expertise within the Company. These qualities have also helped to develop the unique processes of Rejuvenation™ and Rerun.

Tony Hession is 47 and has worked in the sports surfacing business for 23 years. He joined En-tout-Cas in 1980 and his career has developed in all levels of the industry from Site Engineer, Contract Management, Sales and Marketing through to Directorship of some of the leading manufacturers and construction companies in this specialist market. He is a former Vice-Chairman of the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) and is currently the Chairman of the Ancillary Contractors Group and a Director of SAPCA. His extensive industry contacts and technical knowledge have proved invaluable.

Tony comments: "We know that there are millions of square metres of synthetic surfaces in the UK needing professional maintenance care. We also recognise that there is room in the market for a professional maintenance company that carries significant expertise in the surfaces sector and which can offer a total, highly competitive service solution, tailor-made to client’s needs."

"Clients are becoming far more aware of the reasons for, and benefits of a considered maintenance programme. Education and knowledge has created a demand for better service from installers relating to product longevity. The issue of maintenance is rising to the top of the agenda whereas in the past it has struggled to make the agenda at all. It is part of Replay’s policy to take on a consultancy role itself, to offer advice and a step-by-step, season-by-season guide to appropriate maintenance."

The Company launched a new suite of literature in June 2003 aiming to advise the market of the required maintenance needs but its recognised strength is the huge experience and expertise attached to a Company linked to the UK’s largest installer of surfaces, the Charles Lawrence Group.

As you might expect, Replay’s credentials are seen as a unique advantage for the Company but Replay is also keen to help educate its customers to recognise the maintenance needs associated with different pitch surfaces and to account for maintenance needs, the commitment and investment of time and funds involved in maintaining any surface at its top performance potential. In general, routine maintenance of these surfaces can be undertaken by the client - removal of loose debris, such as leaves, and regular brushing.

However, there are certainly elements of specialist maintenance such as power grooming, contra brushing and surface repairs. With Replay’s in-house experience and expertise these specialist processes have been developed over the last 25 years.

Tony Hession continues: "We intend for Replay to work very closely with all our clients by advising and providing a professional and dedicated service on maintenance. We are launching a series of maintenance 'packages' - effectively service agreements - that will be tailored to meet individual clients' requirements, which will tackle restoration and repair issues from a proactive stance."

"In short, we aim for Replay to become a first port of call for any surface owner that requires proactive, long-term maintenance plans or that simply needs advice and general information that will help keep their facility in the best possible condition,  maximising the lifetime of their investment."

The Replay 'packages' have been developed according to need and surface type, graded from Standard, through to Bronze (2-year contract), Silver (3-year contract), Gold (5-year contract) and Platinum (7-year contract).

For example, a Bronze contract for sand-filled synthetic grass would include: an annual inspection and report; annual application of moss and weedkiller; six-monthly power groom drag brushing, line and seam (glued joints and seams) repairs up to 100m per year; and annual checking of manholes and gullies.

A Gold contract for sand-dressed and non-sanded synthetic grass would include: six-monthly inspection and report; six-monthly application of moss and weedkiller; three-monthly power groom drag brushing; line and seam (glued joints and seams) up to 100m per year; emergency surface repair callout guaranteed within 24 hours; six-monthly checking of manholes and gullies; contra brushing every two years; bi-annual power washing of surround footpaths; bi-annual power clean and vacuum; and performance testing at the end of Year 4.

A Platinum contract for sand-filled synthetic grass would include: six-monthly inspection and report; six-monthly application of moss and weedkiller to 3m perimeter; quarterly power groom drag brushing; line and seam repairs up to 100 m per year; yearly inspection of manholes and gullies; yearly sand regulation after year three; contra brushing every two years; emergency surface repair callout guaranteed within 24 hours (subject to minimum call out charge); annual power washing of surround footpaths; performance testing at end of years 4 and 7 and 10% discount on price of full rejuvenation after year 7.

Contact details for the Replay Maintenance Ltd office can be found by [clicking here]