Tobias Owegeser
About: Tobias Owegeser - CEO

SMG equipment and their special attachments are suitable for all types and sizes of synthetic sports surfaces – from the smallest playgrounds to the largest stadiums. Over the years, SMG has been cooperating with numerous business partners who do appreciate and trust our business policies, which have always been about meeting our customers’ highest expectations.

1. SMG has been exporting its products since 1975. Would you like to share some insights on the company’s growth and expansion in this sector?

For over 40 years, SMG has been inventing, developing and producing machinery and special attachments that significantly facilitate and improve all steps of artificial track and turf installations and their maintenance. The SMG equipment has been used successfully all over the world from the tropics to the arctic. SMG will continue to provide the highest possible level of service to their customers worldwide. The high level of customer service and understanding of the need in the market is our “secret” of success.

2. Can you give a brief insight into the various products & solutions provided by SMG to its clients? What product innovations are coming up?

SMG equipment and their special attachments are suitable for all types and sizes of synthetic sports surfaces – from the smallest playgrounds to the largest stadiums. Over the years, SMG has been cooperating with numerous business partners who do appreciate and trust our business policies, which have always been about meeting our customers’ highest expectations. This philosophy has always been important to SMG and has also been adopted by the now second generation management of the company. Till mid of 2018, we will come out with few new design and developments, the market is waiting for.

3. What are the most significant challenges you face being in the forefront of supplying “synthetic sports surfaces and artificial turf” sector?

Since we do have approx.. 90% export quote, the biggest challenge is to cover the need of the world market. This starts from the understanding of the need in every single country till the supervising/trainings we provide for our machines, after shipment. Of course, our machines are made to work under different weather conditions and circumstances. Robustness of our machines and 24/7 spare parts availability are also key parameters.

4. What are the plans of SMG in bringing out new products and entering new markets?

One of our latest developments: the TurfMuncher TM2000D – for example, is a milestone for the clean and efficient removal of artificial turf systems including the in-fill material. We are constantly exploring new processes as well as new markets nationally and internationally together with our business partners. Our goal is always to set new accents with new technologies and innovations to a high standard. Our highly advanced solutions are often a derivative from specific customers’ needs and we always rise to the challenges.

5. How do you view the future scenario of the Asian synthetic sports surfaces and artificial turf market?

For sure this region has a massive potential for the future. Important would be to implement high class systems, which are approved in other areas of the world since decades. For example, an insitu-shock-pad called E-layer under the artificial turf, keeping the complete system long-lasting better than any other system. And the consideration of approved / certified components are important as well as using coming-sense equipment for the installation of those surfaces to reach best quality surfaces, instead of doing all by hand risking the reputation of the synthetic sports surfaces image.

6. What makes you different from your competitors in terms of developing products/machines?

SMG is the pioneer and leader in equipment for synthetic sports surfaces. We do have the widest range of such kind of products, worldwide. We developed every single product hand in hand with our valuable clients and/or partners; mostly from the need created on job-site, during the installation of the surface. We keep a very close contact to the people in the market, to catch the requirements of this business sector. Beside the development of a machine, the documentation like operation instructions in different languages, supervising/trainings and the spare parts availability are very important as well.

7. Could you please tell us what are the major products that SMG has been catering in present scenario, and which product has the maximum potential for you in the near future?

Sustainability of synthetic sports surfaces is very important. That’s why we expect a future need of equipment for the reclamation of such surfaces. It’s important to separate for example rubber granules and sand from synthetic turf, to be able to use those components again or dispose it in the right way.

8. Could you enlighten us on SMG’s “Second hand machines”?

We offer a special service for preowned machines, called “certified used machines”. A certified used machine offers significant advantages: the machine is cheaper than a new one and comprises different service aspects with a guaranty period of 12 months.

9. The synthetic sports surfaces and artificial turf industry is growing rapidly and its needs, demands and dynamics are different in many ways compared to other industries. What is your perception in this regard?

The perception is that even the market is growing rapidly; the focus on the quality must be kept. Growing market means often a price drop, which the manufacturer and installers involved in our industry should avoid.