Investment will add equipment, personnel and materials to meet growing demands

Local leaders gathered today to celebrate the beginning of a $3-plus million expansion project at Play Mart Inc., an industry leader in playground and outdoor early childhood play products.

The 43,200-square-foot expansion will bring the local manufacturer’s total operating space to over 103,000 square feet. The increase will allow for additional equipment, personnel, and materials to meet growing customer demand and fulfill contracts for child development centers at military bases around the world. Play Mart’s investment will create additional full-time jobs, increasing the company’s employment totals between Somerset and its executive offices in Monterey, California.

In addition to enhancing Play Mart’s daily operations, the project will lower the company’s environmental impact by using clean energy. All facility operations will be powered by 20 Strackers (tracking solar panels) placed strategically on site. The Strackers will also provide shade in the parking lot and charging stations for electric vehicles. Play Mart is one of the first manufacturing facilities in Kentucky to transition to solar power.

Located in southern Pulaski County, Play Mart was founded in 1981 under the name Beach and Son when the first playground was built for Porter Hopkins Elementary in Somerset. In 1993, the Beaches incorporated under the current name of Play Mart Inc. The company continues to install and maintain playgrounds around the world.

Play Mart eventually decided to use recycled plastic lumber because of the risks and long-term upkeep challenges associated with wood and powder-coated metal materials. In 2006, Play Mart purchased an extruder and grinding equipment to introduce its proprietary recycled structural plastic lumber. This innovative material is 85 percent post-industrial high-density polyethylene and stands up to rigorous third-party independent testing. Play Mart is the only playground company in America that extrudes its own recycled materials to build its products. Original playground equipment designs are built on a modular grid system, making it easy to customize designs to fit different budgets and site layouts.

Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) President and CEO Chris Girdler said Play Mart’s commitment to innovation has fueled its success.

“The ability to innovate is at the heart of economic development and what makes successful businesses and communities stand out,” Girdler said. “Play Mart has established itself as a global leader in the recreation industry by being committed to continuous improvement. We are honored that the Play Mart family continues to build its international presence right here in Somerset and Pulaski County and we thank them for investing in our community for more than four decades.”

The company’s founders are equally thrilled by the opportunity to contribute to the Somerset community.

“We’ve enjoyed living and working in the community all these years,” said Rebecca Beach, founder and CEO of Play Mart. “We are honored to have the opportunity to expand our operations in keeping with our core values.”

Tabitha Beach Sani, Rebecca’s daughter and Play Mart’s general manager, added, “Our team is looking forward to continuing to provide a healthy work environment here in Kentucky and environmentally-conscious playground products for children around the globe.”

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck congratulated Play Mart for its continued growth and success.

“I love the Play Mart story because it is one of family, entrepreneurship and love of community and country, built from a desire to make a difference in children’s lives through physical activity and rooted in the power of play,” Keck said. “It’s inspirational. I’m excited to see this expansion move forward and grateful to Play Mart for the many ways they invest in Somerset.”

Pulaski County Judge Executive Marshall Todd celebrated Play Mart’s contributions to the local economy and to the quality of life of this community and its people.

“I heard it once said that we don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing,” Todd said. “By that reckoning, Dennis and Rebecca Beach will never grow old. They have provided play for countless children and families and are now expanding their operations to better serve an ever-growing recreation industry. Their inclusive playgrounds let children of all ages and backgrounds stoke their own imaginations and creativity to become imaginative and creative adults. That sort of recycling of human ingenuity mirrors their own dedication to the environment and turning unwanted materials into the stuff that dreams are made of. This is not just economic development. It is imagination development. And I am happy they are located right here in Pulaski County.”

For more information about Play Mart, visit playmart.com.