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LANDSCAPING Playground Equipment (Dry) – Interview
Creating Imaginative, Customized
Play Experiences: Interview with Matt
Miller, CEO of Playworld Systems
Matt Miller, CEO of Playworld Systems, gives us a
fascinating insight on how much playground equipment
design has changed over the years, the company’s
success and contribution to the playground industry
and the trends shaping future designs.
Q: Can you briefly describe to me the history of
Playworld?
A: The company began in 1952 as QE Manufacturing Company,
a family-owned producer of precision machine parts. Seven
years later, the company entered the playground industry as a
supplier of high-quality products for other companies. As the
organisation’s reputation as a superior supplier grew, so did
the demand in both the playground and recreational markets.
To meet these needs, the company introduced its own brand of
commercial playground products in 1971 under the company
name Playworld Systems. In January 1999, Playworld moved to
its current corporate headquarters in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
The company is a leader in creating imaginative, customised
commercial playground and fitness equipment. For decades,
Playworld has positively impacted the health and wellbeing of
communities around the globe.
Q: What is it like working at a playground company?
A: At Playworld, we’re all about getting children outdoors
and active. We want children in touch with nature, in an
environment that’s free of constraints, to discover their
physical, social, and emotional well-being. We really believe
that play is not a luxury. Play is powerful. Every day we’re
working to save play. As a family-owned business, our
reputation is our personal signature. The overall customer
experience is at the heart of what we do. Every Playworld
playground is backed by a devoted customer support team
to keep play alive and well in communities around the world.
We’re committed to premiere service and support before,
during and after a customer purchases our equipment to help
play thrive throughout the world.
Q: What is your role as the CEO of Playworld Systems
and what are some of the greatest challenges that
you have faced?
A: One of the greatest challenges that I face as CEO is working
to save unstructured outdoor play in today’s society. As CEO of
Playworld, I’m responsible for ensuring that today’s children
grow up having the same fond memories of play that I did as
a child. For me, it resonates with the memory of coming home
from school, putting on old jeans, and taking off on my bike
to discover new adventures. I’ve never outgrown the thrill
and awe of the power of play. All of us at Playworld work to
78 Southeast Asia Building MAY-JUNE 2015