When the founders of Sports Engineering And Recreation Asia Ltd (Seara) first established their presence in Bangkok in 1991 a strategic decision was made to only build recreation and sports facilities to International standards. In markets like Singapore and Malaysia build standards were already following each sports official Association’s technical standards. This was not only a business strategy but an important branding strategy that would take years to pay off. We decided to just wait the Thai and Indo-China market out, until standards improved.” There were lots of low quality builders”. says Canadian Patrick Dean, one of the two founders. The exception to that scenario in Thailand was the high-end hospitality industry that was just taking off. Seara built its reputation for high quality sports facilities constructing tenniscourts at branded hotels and resorts.

Radical market change happened as the region began to pick its way out of the late 90’s Asian Financial Crises. Beginning in the middle of 2000, property developers who survived the shake out or were just entering the market determined to professionalize their business model, started paying more attention to their amenities and how it affected their own branding. Almost immediately, Seara-built acrylic hard courts, and synthetic grass tennis courts started appearing at condominiums, housing communities, non-branded hotels and resorts, and schools. The upshift then turned to fitness flooring, indoor multipurpose halls, football pitches, running tracks, and outdoor multipurpose courts.

Such success has come through careful attention to detail and selecting the best product for the region’s specific conditions on the ground. “There have been some painful local learning experiences,” says Patrick Dean. “But we have never run away from a job, always made it right, and we never make the same mistake twice”. Today Seara is the market leader in providing international standard facilities that meet the standards set by each sport’s governing body. Whether acting as a technical consultant before doing the critical specialty surfacing work or doing the entire job turn-key, Seara excels in its experience of construction techniques and applying surfacing materials that last in the extremes of weather and soil conditions in South East Asia.

SEARA is the exclusive distributor of both Laykold and Plexipave hardcourt tennis surfaces, the most advanced tennis systems in the world. Hence, SEARA is the leading supplier in South East Asia to construct and resurface ITF and ATF approved tennis facilities.

For grass courts Seara exclusively distributes and installs surfaces by industry-leading synthetic turf manufacturer ACT Global. By partnering with ACT Global, Seara delivers a high-quality alternative to natural grass courts via a product that combines innovative, shock absorbent, low abrasion and slip resistance technology with minimum maintenance and affordable installation. Synthetic grass is the first line solution to cracked sub base roof top tennis court refurbishment.

Today Seara Sports Systems is the largest tennis court builder in South East Asia. From its Bangkok headquarters and warehouse in the Bang Ple Industrial Estate, the Eastern Seaboard is coordinated through its Pattaya office. Seara has a long list of both fitness and sports facility clients at private villas, international schools, resorts, hotels, condominiums, housing communities, and dedicated tennis venues for tournaments.

www.searasports.com