Building and Facilities News is proud to feature Kestrel Contractors Ltd as its selected Natural Sports Surface Contractor of the Month.
Nationally recognised for its high quality services, the specialist company was primarily established in 1994. It is now considered a leader in the industry, holding a solid position at the forefront of the UK market in both natural and artificial sports surfaces.
The sports pitch contractor and landscape re-instatement specialist offers a wide variety of services, from earthworks and drainage through to topsoil cultivation/seeding, turfing, renovation and maintenance. As well as designing and building both natural and artificial turf pitches, Kestrel also works on large scale event preparation, reinstatement projects and equestrian construction.
“Kestrel owns a vast array of specialist equipment designed for the construction and renovation of sports pitches,” commented Scott Milne, Sales Development Manager at the company. “Through our natural sports pitch experience we are able to adapt our construction techniques in the artificial pitch sector to develop value engineering solutions for our clients.”
Kestrel has invested heavily in new techniques in order to develop results which are appreciated on a countrywide scale by multiple high profile clients. Its capabilities in comprehensive natural and artificial sports ground construction are utilised by many esteemed organisations, such as the Royal Hospital Chelsea (Chelsea Flower Show), Winchester College, Fulham FC, Buckingham Group and Hampshire County Council.
The innovators have recently installed the first cork infill system into the UK for an artificial turf pitch. According to Scott, this is a ground-breaking development with extensive benefits: “This is a 100% natural product which has a low energy restitution level,” he enthused. “Although only just entering the UK market, cork infill is popular in Europe and North America not just for its performance credentials, but also due to its low thermal conductivity. Tests have proven that the cork infill will heat up to 30% less when exposed to a heat source than a pitch with rubber crumb infill.”
The business operates from its headquarters in Hampshire, but continued demand led to the acquisition of another facility becoming a necessity. Kestrel subsequently obtained another office in a more central location in Worcestershire in order to better cover contracts throughout the UK and mainland Europe.
“At the end of last year, we opened our Midlands office and after a busy winter estimating jobs, we started mobilising on to site in the spring,” Scott explained. “Since then, we have been working for main contractors, direct clients and consultants alike in what has proved to be a highly productive expansion. Having a Midlands arm has definitely helped us to develop our brand.”
Kestrel attends various shows throughout the year in order to strategically strengthen its principle business areas, frequently appearing at industry-appropriate seminars and conferences. Its schedule has previously included the Bicton Horse Trials (in order to promote its equestrian arena construction department) and Saltex (for the natural sports turf side of the brand). It is pleased to hold membership with SAPCA and the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), and its commitment to excellence in relation to quality control is accentuated with its duly awarded ISO 9001 accreditation.
T +44 (0)1256 880488
info@kestrelcontractors.co.uk
www.kestrelcontractors.co.uk