Football groundsmen from around Suffolk have been given a behind-the-scenes tour of the Ransomes Jacobsen factory in Ipswich.

The turf care equipment manufacturer, whose products are used at many leading sports venues worldwide, has sponsored the Suffolk FA Premier Cup for the past two seasons.

Rupert Price, the firm’s sales director, welcomed the guests with a presentation explaining Ransomes’ place in the market and the products its make.

The company’s public relations manager Peter Driver then led a tour of the factory, showing the visitors how flat sheets of metal are crafted into lawnmowers worth tens of thousands of pounds.

Achilles FC groundsman Darryle Flegg, winner of the Suffolk FA Groundsman of the Year Award, sponsored by Mark Harrod Ltd, said: “It was quite amazing what we saw from start to finish – I was very impressed.”

Jim Mayhew, groundsman of Leiston FC, said: “The visit highlighted what good manufacturing we can do in this country and in this county.”

Danny White, regional pitch advisor (east) for the Institute of Groundsmanship, who also joined the tour, added: “There was clear evidence of both quality and team work.”