Desso Sports Systems Wins Golden Bridge Export Award UK

DENDERMONDE, Belgium, November 16, 2011 -

Each year, the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great-Britain (BLCC) awards the  Belgian company with the strongest export performance to the UK.

The prestigious fifteenth  ’GOLDEN BRIDGE EXPORT AWARD 2011′ goes to sports surfaces specialist Desso Sports Systems in Dendermonde.

Award for an international sport pitch specialist

The prestigious award was handed over by H.E. Johan Verbeke, Ambassador of Belgium in the United Kingdom to Desso Sports Systems during a Gala Ceremony on the 16th November in London.

Desso Sports Systems is internationally renowned for its innovative artificial grass pitches for football, hockey and rugby, and for its hybrid Desso GrassMaster pitches whereby a 100 % natural grass pitch is reinforced by 20 million artificial fibres.

Successful in the English Premier Football League

Desso Sports Systems has become one of the market leaders in the UK for sports pitches. This is both on a school or council level as well as at the absolute top level of football, hockey and rugby.  No less than 17 out of 20 Premier League clubs use Desso pitches, of which 10 play on the hybrid Desso GrassMaster-pitches in their stadium. Arsenal FC’s pitch is considered by both specialists and players as one of the best football pitches in the world. 

Wembley can also claim again to have a perfect pitch, courtesy of Desso. After the opening of the new Wembley stadium in 2007, there were many problems with the stadium pitch due to its double function as a home base for football and an events location.

Since the installation of the Desso GrassMaster-system in the Wembley stadium in 2010, the English “Home of Football” once again has an excellent pitch and image. During a full season with top games such as the FA Cup games, the Champions League Final and a series of live concerts including performances by Take That, the pitch remained in perfect condition.

Belgian expertise in a niche market

BLCC Chairman Michel Vanhoonacker: ‘I have been privileged to follow Desso Sports Systems for the last 5 years in the UK due to our involvement in the Belgian Sports Technology Club. The company is a typical example of how Belgian expertise can solve problems, discretely but convincingly, and hence create long term business in the British market. This, together with the professionalism and creativity of Desso Sports Systems, has truly impressed the Golden Bridge Jury. We look forward to following the continuation of this success, not only in the UK but worldwide.’

Desso Sports Systems considers this prestigious award as recognition for its export strategy based on innovative solutions and on the expansion of its local network in the sports world. With the Olympic Games around the corner, the attention on sports facilities in the UK is at its highest ever. The award will stimulate further UK growth for the company and Desso hopes it will also help to develop brand awareness in the UK, supported by Desso’s local partners.

About the Golden Bridge Export Award

The award is an initiative of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain.  The purpose of the event is to encourage exporting efforts to the UK and at the same time to give Belgian and Luxembourg products and services a higher profile abroad.  Its great success has shown the need to provide Belgian and Luxembourg companies with a platform to prove their achievements on the British market

For the entire  BLCC press release on the Golden Bridge Award, please check  blcc.fb.email.addemar.com/c577/h162f0

About Desso Sports Systems

Desso Sports Systems is the international leader in innovative sports fields for football, rugby and hockey pitches as well as tennis courts and multifunctional fields.

Over time, the company has installed more than 50 million m² of artificial turf at both amateur and professional clubs all over the world. The Desso GrassMaster system is in place at some 450 stadia and training centers worldwide, including ten Premier League football clubs in the UK - among them, Arsenal, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. London Irish, Leicester Tigers, London Wasps and Huddersfield Giants in England and the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues in Wales also play or train on a Desso GrassMaster pitch.

The company is a FIFA Preferred Producer for football turf and is member of the Belgian Sports Technology Club, the association of Belgian specialists in supplying sports products and services to international top sports events.

Desso Sports Systems is part of Desso, which manufactures contract carpeting and carpet tiles for offices, public buildings, schools, hospitals and airlines. Sustainability and creativity are important key values.

www.dessosports.com

www.dessograssmaster.com

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More info: Desso Sports Systems, Helga Webers, marketing manager, hwebers(at)desso.com +32-474-994-250