We had to replace the stock mat on the Technics as well. It posed a bit of a problem, as a proper mat should have a very intimate relationship with the platter (in this case, glued down). That meant that we couldn't use the screws that hold the platter to the motor unless we drilled holes in the platter pad, which would have made a mess of it.
The stock platter pad is IMO one of the weaker aspects of the new Technics but none of their machines have ever had a good one so this is not surprising.
