 Playdale's Mountain Tower range | |
| Industry | Playground design and manufacture |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1978 in the Lake District, England |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | , England |
| Website | playdale |
Playdale Playgrounds is a British playground design, manufacturing and installation company founded in 1978 by Jack and John Croasdale. Playdale Playgrounds is based in Haverthwaite, Cumbria.
History
Playdale Playgrounds is a family-run business. The Croasdale family have worked in the forestry and allied timber trades since 1735. In 1978 Jack and John Croasdale advanced into playground design, manufacturing and installation and established Playdale Playgrounds in the Lake District with four employees. Playdale later had over 140 employees with two factories in Cumbria.[1] In 1981, Playdale Playgrounds designed and launched the Adventure Trail which became a landmark product range, eventually the stainless steel 'City' range followed.[2] In 1996 Sir Chris Bonington opened the company's new factory and offices in Haverthwaite. By 1999 all of Playdale Playgrounds products were Kitemarked to BSEN 1176.[2]
Diversification
The introduction of the City Stainless Steel Play Equipment in 2003, saw the company diversify from solely producing timber play equipment. The world's first i.play was created in 2007 and opened in Barrow Park, Barrow-in-Furness. This was the first electronic, intelligent play system, designed in collaboration with Progressive Sports Technologies Ltd at Loughborough University.[3]
Worldwide company
In 2010, the company began exporting products and now have a number of overseas distributors. In 2013, Playdale Playgrounds were named as one of the top thirty ‘Export Champions’ for the North West as part of a national campaign ran by UK Trade & Investment.[4] In December 2014 Playdale Playgrounds were awarded the 'Emerging Exporter' award at the Insider Media[5] North West International Trade Awards 2014.[6]
References
- ↑ "Cumbrian business climbs ladder to international success". Cumbria24. 2014-11-12. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
- 1 2 "Brand new stainless steel trail from Playdale". 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
- ↑ B Burke (21 July 2007). "UK Electronic First for Town Play Area". North West Evening Mail. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
- ↑ Eric Jackson. "Knowing the ropes – how Lakes firm sells play around the world". gtglobaltrader.com. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
- ↑ Adrian Simcox. "Awards Recognise Region's Top Exporters". Retrieved 2014-05-12.
- ↑ Fiona Marley Paterson. "From Ulverston to the UEA ... It's all swings and roundabouts". itv.com. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
- Alan Tovey (2014-05-13). "Playground manufacturer gets a boost from UKTI export schemes". Telegraph. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
- "Exporting is child's play". North West Evening Mail. 2014-06-05. Archived from the original on 2014-10-30. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
- "Successful exporting is child's play for Cumbria business". North West Evening Mail. 2013-11-13. Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
- "Knowing the ropes - how Lakes firm sells play around the world". Gtglobaltrader.com. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
- "UKTI speeds up export growth for Playdale Playgrounds - Case studies". GOV.UK. 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
- Tunningley, Allan (2013-11-13). "Haverthwaite firm plans to expand its exports (From The Westmorland Gazette)". Thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-12.