Playforce

Background

Established in 1998, Playforce were the first business in the play sector to really focus on specialising in outdoor spaces for education including playgrounds and sport facilities. 

After an extended period of growth, Playforce were acquired by TCL Group in 2014, allowing them to add wider landscaping, groundworks and estate management services to their offering, which they believe makes Playforce unique and gives schools a simple, full scale solution. 

The Problem

Some schools have capital budgets; however, these are often tight, leading many schools to explore fundraising to generate the money they need where budgets aren’t sufficient.

Schools are familiar with Operating Leases, so the finance product is known and requires minimal explanation. However, they may not have been aware that they could use an Operating Lease to purchase playground design and equipment.

The Solution

Playforce joined White Oak UK's Partner Programme, using our Operating Lease as a way for schools to finance their playground projects.

By offering schools the ability to use an operating lease, Playforce have found it helps schools protect their budgets or set smaller fundraising goals to meet the monthly repayments, whilst giving their pupils the benefits of a larger project straight away.

But there were more reasons why Playforce joined forces with White Oak UK as Emily Northin, Director of Marketing at Playforce, explains, “Our customers trust us, with half of all new business generated from existing customers and our research shows we’re the most referred business in the education sector.

"We chose White Oak UK because of their education expertise and the fact that White Oak UK are an ISBL approved partner carries a lot of weight with the schools and reinforces their trust in us.”

The Result

Over the next few years Playforce are aiming for further sustainable growth, bringing in more of their group services to schools, adding real value and further growing their range of partnerships and key accounts.

Their focus on leading the market remains key. As concerns over childhood obesity grow, Playforce are developing enhanced sport facilities and compatible services for schools alongside more products designed to help keep children fit and healthy.