GLOBAL REACH LOCAL APPROACH

Proludic is a pioneer in play with a presence in more than 50 countries. PlayNation sat down with Rob Baker, Managing Director of Proludic’s UK business, who says that, despite its global size, the company is still a family business at heart

Could you give us a brief history of Proludic?

Proludic’s story began in France in 1988, with a simple yet enduring mission: to create outdoor play and sports areas where people (but particularly the young) of all ages can thrive, develop their skills and improve their wellbeing. What started as a small, family-run enterprise designing natural, timber-based play equipment for local schools and rural villages, has evolved into a global organisation recognised for its quality, innovation and inclusivity.

From its beginnings, Proludic has remained a privately owned company, still led today by its founder, Denis Le Poupon and his family. Their continued involvement & financial independence ensures that the original spirit of the business, one that values its staff, creativity, craftsmanship and clients, remains firmly embedded in its culture.

In the UK, Proludic Ltd was established in 2002 and has now been operating for more than 20 years. From its base in Nottingham, the subsidiary began as a small, dedicated team and has since grown to employ over 50 professionals, including Area Managers, Key Account Managers, Play & Sports Designers, Landscape Architects, Project Managers and After-Sales specialists.

What makes great play design? Is there a magic formula or is it a learned trade?

In our opinion great play design is both an art and a craft underpinned by expertise. At Proludic, it comes from the experience and creativity of our talented team, who continually learn, innovate, and refine our product range and design techniques. From fully inclusive spaces, like The Nook Children’s Hospice, to natural Robinia creations at Pennington Flash, our diverse designs drawn from over 1,200 pieces of equipment celebrate imagination, inclusivity, and harmony with nature, ensuring every play experience is inspiring, engaging, and meaningful.

There’s a renewed push to get play recognised at government level. How important is it to have a play strategy that would ringfence investment for play?

The recent strides to get play on the government agenda are both vital and long overdue. With continued growing pressures on children, the distractions of screens and increasing concerns over the decline in physical and mental wellbeing among the next generation, an invigorated national strategy to tackle these issues head-on is hugely welcome.

As a nation, we must be vocal, and, through the campaigns led by Play England, the Association of Play Industries (API) and other like-minded organisations, we must be proactive in ensuring that every child has access to high-quality, safe and engaging play opportunities, that not only bring joy but also support learning, development and wellbeing.

The introduction of a wider-reaching, reinvigorated national strategy that ringfences increased investment for play would be truly transformative, securing long-term, sustainable funding for well-designed, inclusive play areas that would enrich communities via accessibility across the country. Every child should have the right to play outdoors in safe and inspiring environments where they can explore, socialise, and discover more about themselves and the world around them, developing the emotional, social and cognitive skills that are essential for healthy growth and development.

What do you put Proludic’s success down to?

It stems from a combination of strong family values, staff commitment and a culture that empowers creativity and innovation. As a family-owned business, Proludic has the advantage of taking a long-term view, investing in people, client relationships and ideas rather than short-term profits. The four founding values – Experience, Innovation, Commitment and Proximity – continue to shape everything Proludic does.

Proludic Ltd’s success is, then, built on three key factors. Firstly, its ability to listen, working with people to understand their passion, their aspirations and their community’s needs. Secondly, its ability to be agile in the marketplace. We have to be adaptable and our approach has to be fluid, to suit the needs of every client and the sector in which they operate. Lastly, our employees are central to our ongoing success. The UK team prides itself on having a close-knit spirit, where every individual feels valued, empowered and motivated to deliver their best work.

Every child should have the right to play outdoors in safe and inspiring environments

What are the company’s main markets and how big/important is the UK?

Proludic’s global presence spans more than 50 countries, supported by eight subsidiaries and an extensive network of distributors. We are a major player across Europe, with seven subsidiaries operating in the region. Europe remains the backbone of Proludic’s business, both for its design excellence and its high standards of safety and sustainability.

Within this network, the UK market holds special importance. Since the creation of Proludic Ltd in 2002, the UK arm has developed to become the largest subsidiary outside of the founder nation. The combination of the UK operations culture, innovative approach and resulting success in our marketplace, has earned the respect of the wider group.

And what are the main markets for Proludic in the UK?

In the UK, we work across a broad spectrum of markets that include local authorities, schools, housing developers and the leisure and tourism sectors. Local authorities form one of our largest client bases, in which we design and deliver public play areas, community parks, outdoor gyms and multi-use games areas (MUGAs). We’ve also built a strong reputation for delivering imaginative, safe and inclusive playgrounds in schools across the country, with a particular focus on special educational needs settings.

Alongside public sector clients, we collaborate extensively with national and regional house builders, providing play and recreation spaces within residential developments, as required under planning regulations.

Beyond these core sectors, our equipment (and expertise) is found in holiday parks, retail destinations, hospitality venues and tourist attractions such as zoos, museums and theme parks. In short, any environments where high-quality, visually appealing bespoke play equipment helps create memorable visitor experiences.

What innovations are you currently working on?

Innovation is at the heart of Proludic’s ongoing evolution. One of our most exciting developments recently was the ACTI’Fun range, a collection of outdoor sports and fitness equipment that bridges the gap between play and exercise.

Designed to make physical activity accessible and enjoyable for everyone, ACTI’Fun includes three sub-brands – ACTI’Fit, ACTI’Street and ACTI’Ninja – each catering to different levels of ability and motivation. The range incorporates smart technology through QR codes that link to digital exercise guides and tutorials, encouraging users to be active while learning and having fun.

We’re also investing heavily in sustainable and nature-inspired design. Our natural wood ranges celebrate both organic and animal shapes, earthy tones and environmentally responsible materials that allow children to play in and with nature.

Sustainability, inclusion and creativity remain at the core of every new development

Sustainability, inclusion and creativity remain at the core of every new development. We continue to innovate in inclusive play design, developing new guidelines and tools that help clients create spaces accessible to all.

Both projects capture what Proludic does best – merging technical excellence with empathy, creativity and social purpose

Proludic in practice

Rob Baker highlights two recent projects that Proludic has completed in the UK.

“A recent highlight for us was the natural Robinia wood play area at Pennington Flash Nature Reserve in Wigan. The installation, which includes two tall towers interconnected with an aerial crawl way, transformed one of the region’s most popular country parks with a design that blends seamlessly into the natural landscape. The natural equipment, some of which is based on the wildlife in the reserve, encourages adventure, movement and social interaction, appealing to a wide range of ages while supporting environmental sustainability.

The project perfectly reflects Proludic’s philosophy of combining aesthetics, durability and inclusivity to create spaces that enrich both the natural landscape and community life.

Another project that embodies Proludic’s values is The Nook Children’s Hospice in Norwich. Designed specifically for children with diverse, physical and sensory needs, the bespoke playground provides a joyful, therapeutic and safe space for play and relaxation. Developed in close collaboration with hospice staff, therapists and families, the inclusive playground ensures accessibility and emotional comfort for every child. It is a space where children and families can share special moments and feel a sense of normality during difficult times.

Both projects capture what Proludic does best – merging technical excellence with empathy, creativity and social purpose.”