Playdale Playgrounds
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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 steal, '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]
Computer Aided Design
Playdale architects use CAD or Computer Aided Design to design their playground equipment and ensure that the CAD plans of each piece of equipment are available for architects and planners to download.[citation needed]
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] Playdale Playgrounds have also started producing playground equipment for the domestic market and set up Playdale Garden.[citation needed]
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[5] North West International Trade Awards 2014.
References
- ^ "Cumbrian business climbs ladder to international success". Cumbria24. 2014-11-12. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
- ^ a b "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. 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". http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/north-west/129309-awards-recognise-regions-top-exporters/.
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- 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. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
- "Successful exporting is child's play for Cumbria business". North West Evening Mail. 2013-11-13. 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.
External links
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