Robert Else – Chairman

Terraplas plc,

Terraplas USA Inc

Terraplas South Africa

Terraplas France

The founding of Terraplas by Robert Else followed many years as a successful entrepreneur. In a market where Stadiums increasingly needed to utilise their facilities to generate additional revenue from non-sporting events, Robert Else recognised the potential for a turf “protection” system as opposed to a turf “cover”. The aim was to enable quick turn-around from sporting to non-sporting events and back again, thus allowing Stadiums to be truly multi-functional.

With over two years of research and development, in conjunction with the professionals who were responsible for the “hallowed” turf at Wembley Stadium in London, Robert Else was able to discern exactly what the requirements were for a system that would actually protect the turf. From this he conceived the patented aspects of the original Terraplas product, which have been maintained throughout the whole Terraplas product range.

Of course, the market doesn’t stand still and nor did Terraplas. During the years since the original Terraplas product was conceived Robert Else has used his considerable, and expanding, knowledge to develop other products to address specific aspects of the industry. This has resulted in a range of the highest quality turf protection systems, temporary roadway products and ice conversion covers available today.

There is no question that the experience and expertise Robert Else has in this specialist marketplace is phenomenal.

He is the perceived authority on turf protection with a Worldwide reputation that is second to none!

Spotlight on Terraplas plc

“World’s No.1

Turf Protection Company”

The original terraplas® product was designed to protect natural grass at the old Wembley Stadium in London, but today, no matter what the event or where it is being held, Terraplas products are universally acknowledged as the only answer to protecting grass from hordes of people. Just as the old Wembley was in its heyday, the new Wembley is likely to be the busiest concert stadium anywhere in the world. The old stadium often held more than fifteen events above and beyond its annual, aggressive sports event schedule and protecting its turf became a major concern when dealing with 80,000 spectators on many occasions.

The development of terraflor® and terratile® protection tiles was a natural progression to meet the demands of the current day market. As with terraplas®, they have a hollow bottom that allows a significant height for natural grass to breathe and grow beneath them. This unique design enables the passage of air and light through the tiles, thus eliminating yellowing of the protected turf. In fact, in the case of natural turf, it acts like a greenhouse and actually encourages growth. No other system has this capability and terraflor®/terratile® will therefore protect grass for much longer periods of time than any other product.

terraflor®/terratile® are solid, totally interlocking flooring systems that have been designed with safety very much in mind. Once installed, it ensures there are no tripping hazards, like those associated with tarpaulins etc. The surface of each tile has an integral anti-slip surface and each tile interlocks and overlaps with its adjacent tiles to ensure the safest walking conditions, even when wet. But terraflor®/terratile® not only protect natural grass, they are also designed to protect artificial surfaces.

Terraplas plc has been in the turf protection business for over twenty years, and have been hugely successful in designing and manufacturing the most widely used protection products around the World – so much so that it proudly uses the slogan ‘World’s No.1 Turf Protection Company’.

Every stadium looks for ways to increase their revenue and, there is no question that, the potential income from a non-sporting event can often be double that of a sporting occasion. However, maintaining the standard of the playing surface is vital, as there is no point in gaining revenue from an event only to have to spend that revenue on repairing or replacing the playing surface. Therefore, if a stadium decides to opt for the non-sporting event route, it must very carefully consider which product to purchase for their turf protection.

There are products on the market that are considerably cheaper in their initial purchase than Terraplas products, however be very careful, this is one area where you ‘only get what you pay for’, and Terraplas products are proven to outperform all others – by miles!

Terraplas plc is proud of its product longevity and the undeniable proof of this is that the old Wembley terraplas® system is now over twenty years old and is still in use, being rented out by a hire company.

If you purchase a Terraplas product you can be confident that you have the best product available to reduce or eliminate turf repairs or replacement, and a product with a very long lifespan – making it the most cost effective purchase.