Playworld Systems

No longer called monkey bars or jungle gyms -- they're "playscapes" and Playworld Systems makes them, along with a lot of other things that would probably make you wish you were a kid again. The company manufactures a variety of structures for climbing, sliding, skating, and exercising under the brand names PlayDesigns, Playworld, NEOS (electronic playground systems), and LifeTrail (outdoor exercise stations). Playworld customers include schools, parks and recreation departments, retirement communities, churches, and residential housing developers. In addition to its various products, Playworld offers playground owners advice about budgeting, needs, and risk management.

In 2008 the company became the first major playground manufacturer to discontinue using PVC in its products. Playworld made the move after considering the environmental and health hazards posed by PVC. The company has switched to using polyethylene, which is less porous, slip resistant, carcinogen free, and recyclable.

To help distribute its products, the company has developed relationships with nonprofits and government agencies, including the National Head Start Association and the US General Services Administration.

Playworld was founded in 1952 as QE Manufacturing, a machine parts maker, and began supplying playground products in 1959. The family-owned business, now one of the largest in the industry, launched its own line of play structures in 1971.