Grass is so much more than the plant itself

The science behind the perfect pitch

Sometimes companies make the opposite move. Instead of growing more and more and further, some scale back. And then immediately change their core business. Or at least part of it. So did Algrozo from Maaseik. This is how ‘Algemene Grondwerken Zoons’ was transformed into ‘Algemene Groenwerken Zoons’. Algrozo, therefore ...

Ivo Zoons, managing director Algrozo: “We - my wife and myself - definitely entered the cultural engineering sector when we took over Gilbert Vanharen in 2020. We thus grew into a total specialist of earthworks, construction, renovation and maintenance of sports grounds, lawn laying, .... For Patro Eisden, for example, we have the entire mowing policy under our wings. A real groundsman job, in other words. 

We recently constructed a completely new pitch for Fortuna Sittard. There we were able to use our rich experience as groundworkers. With results. Because such pitches are inspected three times a year by the KNVB, and we had already passed the first two inspections with flying colours.”

Pub football and top clubs: draw

“Of course the squares of pub football teams are worth as much to us as those of the top teams,” continues Ivo Zoons. “We also have a lot of cities and municipalities in our client portfolio. 

Because we like to make a real difference. After all, grass is so much more than the plant itself. There is a lot involved. Think of the - increasingly extreme - weather, the location, the soil, and so on. We are now in our fourth year with Algrozo after the relaunch, and I must admit that I never dreamed that ‘simple’ grass could be so fascinating. Especially in the world of football, there is a lot involved. With the ever-increasing level of playability, it has become a real challenge to work on the right pitches at the right time with the right machines.”

Soil analysis: the soil of the case

“The days of driving a tractor across a field with no strings attached and ‘poking’ a bit are long gone. For example, it is very important to have soil samples taken and analysed by recognised labs on a regular basis. That way, you determine exactly the type of square and what level you can go for. Otherwise, you are groping in the dark and just trying something. And that can never be the intention. Also know that if you have created the ideal soil - water balance, organ dust content, pH, etc. - it is much easier to maintain the field afterwards.”

Quality products: not price, but quality

Ivo Zoons says: “People often claim that new brushes sweep the best, and this is really true.” He explains that using premium materials and machines only benefits the customer. “We use products from brands that share this philosophy, such as Advanta and Fert In Time. Our fleet is also modern and fully equipped, from the right tyres to GPS.”

Crucial role of communication

“It is quite often thought that laying a football pitch, at any level, is a simple matter. Well, if you lay such a pitch completely level, then you are completely wrong. If only for the water that then remains. We regularly engage with groundsmen from different teams. “

“For example, we recently had Reece Watson, former groundsman of Arsenal F.C., visit us. When you spend quality time with someone like that, you can learn a lot from each other. ”

“And so you build up your own know-how more and more. Communication between the groundsmen and the staff/players/trainers is also of prime importance. Because we all want the same thing, and that is to win. Each in his or her field,” concludes Ivo Zoons.