SIK-Holz Facts & Figures

Facts & Figures

6 REASONS FOR SIK-HOLZ ®
Opportunities for
imaginative play
For more than 30 years we have been
gathering insights from theory and
practice in order to better understand
the physical and emotional needs
of individuals of all ages. We utilise
these to further develop our designs
for play spaces.
Unique & creative
A custom design of playground equipment
requires imagination, flexibility
and creativity. We maintain the
originality of our designs and colours
whilst taking into account provenforms,
processes and knowledge.
Future-oriented
& sustainable
We are certified with the Brandenburg-
Eenvironmental Seal for sustainability.
We observe the principles of sustainable
commerce across all areas. We also
train young people in four professions
as apprentices and promote democratic
and multicultural values.
All under one roof
We offer a one-stop approach: from
on-site consulting and playground
planning, construction and production
of playground equipment, to shipping,
assembly and on-site service.
Safety & quality
Our products achieve the highest levels
of design quality, solid craftsmanship,
durability, stability and safety in accordance
with DIN EN 1176. In addition,
we have firmly integrated ISO 9001
quality management systems into our
operational processes.
Fair competition
principles
We believe that everyone has a place
in this world. We strive for honesty
and competence in our customer service.
We have developed sustainable
and long-standing business partnerships,
as well as fair practices with
our market competitors.
01

About us
Network
Our Story
SIK-Holz® is an owner-managed, medium-sized
company in Fläming, south of Berlin.
02
It was founded in 1988 by master wood sculptor
Klaus-Peter Gust and his wife Claudia during the
final year of the GDR’s planned economy. The business
focussed on the planning, design and production
of custom-made children's playground equipment
created from Robinia (or black locust) wood.
In 1989, the planned economy was transformed into
a market economy, and subsequently we successfully
submitted designs for two small playgrounds
in East and West Berlin. At the beginning of the
1990s we participated in several international trade
fairs, which led to an increase in demand for our
play equipment made from chemically untreated
wood. Over the years, the company has expanded
and today employs around 230 staff. We employ a
variety of professionals in the manufacture of play
equipment, such as carpenters, joiners, and wood
sculptors, as well as other professionals in sales
and as office administrators, designers and engineers.
A holistic approach to our corporate identity
is at the heart of our business. This is reflected
in good working conditions, high quality standards
and sustainable production methods.
Awards

Our
vision
We strive
to enable
children and
adults to
playfully
encounter
public spaces.
Our
mission
Every single day
we work towards
enhancing the
relational competencies
of our
societies through
creative solutions.
Our
offer
▶ Advice/Guidance
▶ Planning/Design
▶ Construction
▶ Production
▶ Delivery
▶ Installation
▶ Maintenance
Business areas
Local authorities and other public bodies are our main client group.
In many cases, we develop individual ideas for playgrounds in partnership
with internal and external landscape architects. A large part of our products
is purchased through GaLaBau companies.
Leisure Parks
Housing
development
Nurseries
GaLaBau
GaLaBau
Local Authorities/
public bodies
Camping/
Catering/
Tourism
GaLaBau
GaLaBau
Landscapearchitect
internal or external
GaLaBau
GaLaBau
Schools
SIK-Holz®
03

Our Offer
Range of Products
• Play equipment
• Ships
• Play houses
• Multi units
• Play sculptures
• Play vehicles
• Sensory games
• Coordination games
• Climbing/Balancing units
• Multi units,
• Climbing forests
• Sports equipment
• Sand pits/ boxes
• Sand play units
• Water play units
• Rockers
• See-saws
• Swings
• Swing units
• Carousels
• Ropeways
• Benches
• Seatings
• Custom-made Products
Suppliers
Over many years we have built
up a trusting relationship with
our suppliers.
Ropes and parts made from stainless
steel are supplied by regional
companies, whereas paints, springs
for rockers, and parts for swings are
supplied nationally. We constantly
strive to find regional suppliers in
order to reduce long transportation.
Playarea Inspectors
We have to date trained 25 of our
staff as playground inspectors in
accordance with DIN 79161.
Playgrounds need to be regularly
inspected and maintained in order
to detect any possible risks as early
as possible. A qualified professional
therefore guarantees the secure
operation of the play equipment
through the annual inspection.
Certification
The quality and safety of our play
equipment are inseparable.
04
We would never consider good design
without the inclusion of safety standards.
Right from the beginning of the
planning phase we therefore include
the requirements of the play equipment
norms detailed in EN 1176. Our
members of staff regularly check compliance
with safety standards throughout
the production process as part of
our integrated quality management
systems (ISO 9001:2015). These are the
foundation for the company’s good
working conditions and compliance
with high quality standards.

Sustainable
production
SIK-Holz® is a climate neutral company
in accordance with the Kyoto
Protocoll.
SIK-Holz® is a climate neutral company
in accordance with the Kyoto Protocoll.
In order to avoid catastrophic climate
change, the world community agreed
to restrict the temperature rise to a
maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius. However,
current pledges and measures
by individual governments will likely
allow temperatures to rise by 4 degrees
Celsius. We believe that through additional
commitments by organisations,
companies and citizens, we can close
the gap between the ambitious Kyoto
goal and current practices. We recognise
that a voluntary reduction of CO2
emissions is crucial in order to effectively
reduce climate change. SIK-Holz®
have become a climate neutral company
in order to contribute actively to
the future flourishing of our planet.
The company Focus Zukunft GmbH & Co
have investigated SIK-Holz® production
processes and calculated CO2 emissions
according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
The result shows that SIK-Holz®
annually produces 568 tonnes of CO2
equivalent emissions, which translates
as 2.47 tonnes of emissions per member
of staff. These figures compare favourably
with similar sized timber processing
companies. The majority of our CO2 footprint
is due to the use of fossil fuels;
these we aim to replace with renewable
energy sources in the longer term.
The CO2 stored within the timber of our
play equipment (9,500 tonnes annually)
is, according to the protocol, not included
in the Kyoto Greenhouse Gas calculations.
However, we wish to take
responsibility also for our unavoidable
emissions by offsetting them through
an internationally recognised climate
protection programme. Since 2020,
we have been supporting a VCS Forest
Protection Initiative in Peru, which
aims to increase incomes through sustainable
forestry management. The
project promotes six of the 17 United
Nations sustainability criteria, and it
enables local peasant farmers to protect
and preserve their forests.
05

Our facts & figures
at a glance
2001
First apprenticeship:
Carpentry
2000
First apprenticeship:
office management
1999
Move to
new offices
1996
First apprenticeship:
Wood Sculptor
1988
Foundation of
SIK-Holz® under
sole proprietorship
1995
Splitting of company
and foundation of
SIK-Holzgestaltungs GmbH
80,150 m²
67,100 m2
60,550 m2
142
135
148
136
128
38,850 m2
33,600 m2
48
61
73
84
2,050 m2
1
2
22
11 15
4 5
1990 1995 2000 2005
06
History Apprenticeships Awards

2016
First apprenticeship:
Architectural
Draughtsperson
2021
Brandenburg Design
Prize for ‘Stork’
Playground
2007
2009
2009
2010
2010
Teltow-Flaeming County
Apprenticeship Award
Brandenburg Award
for Brandenburg
Champion
Sole Ownership
company merger with
SIK-Holz®
Regional Initiative Award,
Bertelsmannstiftung
Big Award for
Medium-sized Business,
Oskar-Patzelt-Stiftung
2013
2016
Bürgschaftsbanken:
Skilled Crafts Award
Brandenburg
Zukunftspreis
Award
2018
2018
2018
2019
2020
2020
2021
Retirement of the founders
Klaus-Peter and Claudia Gust
Award of the Chambers
of Craft, Trade and Industry
Champions of Career
Orientation
OWF Enterprise
Award ‘Vorsprung’
Brandenburg Design
Award for the Playground
‘Flower Dreams’
Teltow-Flaeming
Enterprise Award
Federation of East
German Sparkasse:
Entrepreneur Award
Foundation of BauArt
Playgrounds GmbH in Welzow
20 m €
223
226
209
204
225
225
213 216
224
224
215
15 m €
148
167
10 m €
5 m €
2010 2015 2020
0 m €
Employees Turnover Production spaces
07

Timber processing
Purchasing
We obtain 70% of our robinia
timber from German sources and
30% from sources within Europe.
70% of our playgrounds are made
of Robinia timber which we purchase
largely from the Eastern and
Southern Brandenburg areas. We
process approximately 65,000 pieces
of timber of varying sizes annually.
The oldest Robinia Tree we ever
processed was 110 years old and
had a diameter of 55cm; by contrast,
our largest oak tree had a diameter
of more than 180 centimetres.
FSC ® & PEFC
Our products are certified following
the guidance of the Forest
Stewardship Council.
The FSC® certificate enables us to
document the flow of material of our
processed timbers, and thereby support
sustainable forestry. On request
and against an additional charge, we
are happy to offer all of our products
with a FSC® Certificate.
We also participate in the PEFC programme
and can offer our customers
certified products from sustainably
managed forests.
8.000
total solid
cubic meters
wood
1.800 fm
Timber
from Hungary
200 fm
Oak
from Germany
6.000 fm
Robinia
75% from Germ.
25% from Europe
Utilisation
Using a fast growing
natural resource
like Robinia wood
for heating produces
relatively low levels
of pollution. It is CO2
neutral and therefore
climate-friendly.
Timber
75% Installed
25%Firewood, sale
Oak
71% Installed
29% Firewood, sale
Robinia
85% Installed
10% Firewood, sale
5% firewood, own demand
08

Sustainable
removal
25–40 Years
of growth
Wood
Forest / CO2-reservoir
Regional new plantings
Regional
supplier
Bark
Composting
Soil
improvement
~ 5% Firewood,
Company use
Wood ash /
Mineral fertilizer
Consumption SIK-Holz®
~ 10.000 m3 per year
~ 20% Firewood,
for sale
~ 75% used in
Playground equipment
Disassembly
Thermal energy
Environmental
influences
Environmental
influences
Caring
Clean, sand,
close cracks, paint ...
(depending on the
location every 3–5 years)
Upcycling
Restoration,
renovation
(depending on the condition
after ~ 15–20 years)
Decommissioning
Restauration no
longer feasible
(dep. on the condition
after ~ 30 years)
+
Recycling
Installation of
stainless steel
in new
multi units
Cradle-to-cradle
Maintenance significantly extends
the investment period.
For a positive life cycle assessment of
our products, an extended life cycle and
CO2 capture is of particular importance.
Robinia timber has naturally excellent
qualities for use in play equipment.
With appropriate maintenance and care
Robinia products can easily be in use
for more than 30 years. We can improve
the CO2 content in the Earth’s atmosphere
by delaying the decomposition or incineration
of timber, or by avoiding its
replacement with products made from
fossil fuels. The use of Robinia timber is
sustainable, economic and innovative.
09

Apprenticeships & mentoring
School Mentoring
We have got two primary schools
We support two primary schools in
the region through regular mentoring
activities. The children gain practical
insights into our professions and
crafts, and we discuss their views on
these and answer their questions.
Collaboration
We are cooperation partner of the
Department of Wood Engineering
We collaborate with the University of
Sustainable Development in Eberswalde;
we offer practical work placements
in carpentry/ furniture making to students
on this Bachelor course.
Apprenticeships
Since 1996, more than 120 apprentices
have successfully
completed their training with us.
More than 60 have worked for
us beyond their apprenticeships.
We continually wish to foster young
people’s interest and enthusiasm for
handicraft professions. Learning and
skills acquired during the apprenticeships
will be of vital importance to
future generations and to the economy.
We offer apprentices specialist
training with qualified staff, living
accommodation, individual support
programmes, and participation in EUfunded
exchange programmes.
Awards
We employ on average 24 apprentices
across four professions on their
three-year apprenticeship courses.
They have won many national and
regional awards:
1st Place ›National winner
in the German handicraft‹
2nd Place ›National winner
in the German handicraft‹
3rd Place ›National winner
in the German handicraft‹
1st Place ›The good form
in the handicraft‹
2nd Place ›The good form
in the handicraft‹
3rd Place ›The good form
in the handicraft‹
1st Place ›Chamber winner
Office Management‹
Wood sculptors
Carpenters
1st Place ›State winner
in the German Handicraft‹
10
Office
Management
Draughtsperson
1st Place ›State winner
Office Management‹

International distribution
Trading abroad
Our products are in demand
around the globe.
This enables insights into the play
cultures of other countries, and allows
us to compare these with German traditions
and markets. We have observed
that Germany has provided impulses
internationally to encourage play in
natural surroundings and with natural
materials. Our products therefore
increasingly attract interest around the
globe. Over the years, we have been
able to build productive partnerships
and to realise interesting and exciting
projects. Even in Northern Africa, in the
Far East and Oceania we have increasing
interest in our play equipment and
sculptures. Please find our international
partners on our website:
sik-holz.de/en/contact/partner-abroad
11

Employees

Employees

Projects

PICS
Projects

Ideas

Ideas

SIK-Holzgestaltungs GmbH
Langenlipsdorf 54a
D-14913 Niedergörsdorf
+ 49(0) 33742.799 0
info@sik-holz.de
v instagram.com/sik-holz
Manager: Marc Oelker
Printing: Umweltdruck Berlin
100% Recyclingpaper
© SIK-Holz® 2022
sik-holz.de/en

Contact

sik-holz.de/en