burke's company history

The History of the Oldest Playground Company in the United States: BCI Burke Company, LLC

Burke Playgrounds in the 1920s
J.E. Burke Company is incorporated in 1920, by John E. Burke, as a weather-stripping business that quickly grew into a designer radiator cover business and into a playground business.  Read more playground history...

Burke Playrounds in the 1930s
J.E. Burke Company introduces residential line of play equipment known as Swing King as well as additional play events.   Read more playground history...

Burke Playgrounds in the 1940s
The company turns production to assisting the U.S. Government in winning the war and is awarded “Excellence in War Production” citation.  After the end of the war in 1945, J.E. Burke Company once again turns it focus to high quality playground equipment.  Read more playground history... 

Burke Playgrounds in the 1950s
A second plant is purchased in New Brunswick, New Jersey to meet the demand for playground equipment on the East Coast, which is later closed down as the Fond du Lac plant is expanded. Additional park and recreation equipment such as tables and benches as well as basketball and other sports equipment are added to the playground line.  Read more playground history...

Burke Playgrounds in the 1960s
John E. passes away and his two sons, William and John Jr., take over the reins of the company.   Read more playground history...

Burke Playgrounds in the 1970s
Bill and John Jr. began introducing more colorful play equipment. The original Funnel Ball® is invented in 1972, and the company continues to expand their Fond du Lac facility to accommodate growing demand.  Read more playground history...

Burke Playgrounds in the 1980s
Bill’s son, Greg, purchases the company in late 1980’s and changes name to Burke Company Incorporated, or BCI. He enters the new era of modular play with the Series 2000 product line.  Read more playground history...

Burke Playgrounds in the 1990s
Greg introduces a number of exciting products including the award-wining Genesis® line, Repro Series 1000® and Series 3000. In 1997, Greg sells the company to current owner Tim Ahern and a group of investors. The new management team brings the factory and its processes to new levels of excellence.  Read more playground history...

Burke Playgrounds 2000s to Present
BCI Burke continues to offer unique and innovative recreation products including their Theme Play line in 2002, Little Buddies line for early childhood in 2003, and Circuit Play. In 2004, Burke receives ISO 9001:2000 Certification to put the stamp on their quality manufacturing and service standards that have been in place since the very beginning.  Read more playground history...

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