Playforce Creates Playground Equipment Environments by Julia Budniak
As adults, we often sit and wonder at the seemingly endless energy and drive that children put into their play.
Their minds wander in and out of imaginative spaces very easily, engaging in role-play, living out scenarios, and exploring the world around them.
As the UK’s premier provider of playground equipment, Playforce seeks to create outdoor playground equipment environments that help educators harness the energy that children put into play to bring genuine educational benefits.
Playforce seems to have noticed something that many other providers ofschool playground equipmenthave failed to realise: ''children don't play on school playground equipment , they imaginatively inhabit the spaces the play environment provide.,'' It’s this knowledge of what playground equipment children want to play on, on which the company has built its successes.
The company, based in Trowbridge, was established eight years ago by husband and wife team, Edward and Rachael Webb, has recently been named as one of the finalists in the Wiltshire Business of the Year category and was chosen for Beacon Company status in 2006.
Managing Director Edward Webb was just 24 when he managed to secure a £5,000 Prince’s Trust loan, to realise his dream of starting up his own business as a sole trader. Now, with the help of his wife Rachael and a close-knit, dedicated team of 35 workers, Edward is presiding over a company that supplies top quality school playground equipment nationwide.
The initial aim of Playforce was to provide high quality playground equipment for schools with customer service at the very heart of everything they do. This ethos has not changed, and despite the fact that their range of play products has grown over the years the company now looks to guide schools through creating the most stimulating, yet educational outdoor spaces.
Playforce provides safe, secure and robust playground equipment for schools including, timber trails, outdoor classrooms, play towers, play cabins and much more. They also help to address the issues facing the school and provide areas for learning and areas for active play, all set within the context of an intelligently structured play environment strategy.
“Playforce is successful because we listen to our customers and work closely with them throughout the design process,” said Mr Webb. “Many of our competitors have a one-size fits all approach, but our philosophy has always been to treat each customer as an individual.”
“The last eight years have also seen a dramatic increase in public awareness of the dangers of childhood obesity and the need for regular exercise,” added Mr Webb. “The schools we work with all report the huge benefits that creative play brings. Not only are pupils fitter – they are also more sociable, more inventive, less antagonistic and they definitely have more fun.”
In the last year, the company has seen huge success, doubling its turnover to £5.1 million, more than doubling its profits, increasing its workforce and completed a major re-brand.
As well as adding to their sales and administrative teams over the last year, Playforce has invested in a marketing manager and a graphic designer.
Mr Webb said: “Julia Budniak joined us as marketing manager six months ago and her appointment has proved to be one of the best moves we’ve ever made. Thanks to her we now have a Playforce Aftercare Plan, New Brand Identity. The re-branding was achieved in eight weeks – a remarkable feat that is testament to everyone’s hard work and commitment.”
