Company profile: Htn Contracting

By Alistair January 22, 2020 09:15 Updated

Formed in 2015, Htn Contracting is making golf courses more attractive – and safer.

Htn Contracting stepped into the golf course management world in 2015 when managing director, David Houghton, a keen golfer of 30 years, recognised the potential to improve on, and expand the range and quality of, recycled rubber products within the industry.

David who is a qualified civil engineer, has worked in local government as head of highways and engineering, and also as consulting director with various private sector organisations.

Looking at the products and maintenance processes available to golf course managers, it was evident to David that there was scope and a need to develop more effective and robust solutions. Also, due to his awareness and skills in asset management, it seemed evident to David that there was a need to raise awareness on the subject of ‘whole life costing’; recognising the value of investing in better quality long-term solutions rather than the ‘quick fix’ less effective options, which invariably need to be frequently repeated. A sensible considered financial outlay for the right solution will free up long-term finances and capacity, enabling managers to focus on the maintenance and presentation of their fairways, bunkers and greens.

In the face of this challenge, in 2015 the opportunity presented itself for David to step into the golf course management industry with the launch of Htn Contracting, which developed the H-Flex product range which included:

H-Flex Surfacing – a surfacing material with a difference and not to be confused with rubber crumb surfacing as used on playgrounds, nor the rubber surfacing previously installed on some golf course pathways. H-flex blends dense recycled rubber, solely from the European tyre industry, naturally occurring aggregate and combines these with a high tensile polyurethane binder. Dynamically different from conventional materials, H-Flex offers some significant benefits and can deliver remarkable results in the face of extremely poor ground conditions. This makes it perfectly suited to installations on golf courses.

H-Flex Safe-Step – an extremely effective process which has been developed by Htn specifically to overcome maintenance and safety issues with ageing step systems, especially timber steps. The process also lends itself perfectly well to new build projects. The system is designed to be eco-friendly, using H-Flex Surfacing on treads and recycled facia on the raisers. Customers and members are constantly amazed at the transformations achieved. Safe-Step has attracted much interest with installations now in place across the UK.

H-Flex Bunker-Base – a rubber bunker lining system designed to maintain the integrity of the bunker shape and formation level. The system allows rain water to run efficiently into the drainage system. The design significantly minimises silt from gathering in the stone filter medium, which covers the drainage pipe. The system is designed not to cause damage to golf equipment but is resistant to animal scrapings.

The wider H-Flex benefits are that it is eco friendly (three recycled tyres per m2), porous and free draining (50,000 litres per m2 per minute), robust and hard wearing, and safe – it is anti-slip and designed to minimise the formation of ice at the surface, quick to install and attractive, and enhances visitor experience with stone available in various colours.

Awareness of Htn in the industry has certainly grown and partnering with GreenKeeping has contributed to an increase in the number of UK clients along with a growing workbook across the full range of H-Flex solutions. Htn’s growing reputation can only be enhanced further as it now has its first world ‘Top 100’ course client, Cruden Bay Golf Club in Scotland.

David Houghton said: “We are delighted that Cruden Bay have chosen us to install our H-Flex sustainable surfacing on their pathways. We will install our ‘Red Granite’ finish, which will perfectly match the clubhouse and surrounding environment. We at Htn, along with Cruden Bay GC and GreenKeeping, look forward to providing you with feedback on the progress of this project.”

Htn is also looking closely at exciting new solutions which involve in-house / contractor partnering to minimise costs.