2000 to present

BCI Burke embraced the new millennium with a major commitment to streamlining every aspect of the business, from manufacturing to shipping to administration. This positioned the company to achieve the industry’s best record for shipments that are complete and on time.  After 1999, the new Burke also began to move forward at record speed with product innovations.

2000:  The Burke Monster Slide™ was introduced as the first triple chute-slide ever. In the years following, Burke also introduced its signature Adventure Climb, Wheel Deal, Rocky Mountain Adventure Climber and Mega Satellite.

Burke's release of exclusive playground lines over recent years such as Little Buddies® Play Systems, Circuit Play®, Circuit Play® Beginnings and NaturePlay® continues to provide our customers with an enormous selection of affordable, quality playground equipment for every age and need.  In addition to serving customers and providing innovative playgrounds, Burke has always sought to provide the safest play environment possible for children. No other manufacturer takes child safety so seriously.

2003:  BCI Burke formed a partnership with the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS), a non-profit organization funded by the Centers for Disease Control. As part of this partnership, Burke provides the NPPS Safety Supervision Kit free of charge to every customer who orders a modular play system. Other playground safety tools provided include a customized playground maintenance kit and manual, a safety surfacing kit and economical age-appropriate signage.

2004:  BCI Burke receives its ISO 9001:2000 certification. ISO 9001:2000 is an international set of quality standards that provide companies a structure to ensure that all operational processes are effective and implemented consistently. The ISO Standard is recognized throughout the world. Certification puts the stamp on Burke's quality manufacturing and service standards that have always been part of the Burke culture since the company’s inception in 1920 by founder John E. Burke. The standards contain stringent criteria that apply to every facet of Burke's business, including sales, customer service, engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance and shipping.

Another example of Burke’s commitment to safety is the company’s role as a founding member of the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA). Burke CEO Tim Ahern is the immediate past President of IPEMA, and all Burke products go through the organization’s independent third  party testing and certification process. Ahern and Engineer Scott Liebelt have been actively involved in revising and interpreting the IPEMA procedures and ASTM-1487 standard, which is the consumer safety performance specification for playground equipment for public use.

2007: BCI Burke introduces Intensity® fitness play complex. With childhood obesity and related problems at record levels, the groundbreaking Intensity playgrounds have been widely accepted as an effective tool for encouraging children to get more exercise as part of their day-to-day play activity. Each event is carefully designed to provide one or more specific fitness benefits, such as strength, endurance, balance, coordination and cardiovascular fitness.

2008: Burke’s Intensity® fitness play complex continues to gain momentum and the company launches worldwide marketing efforts. The playground meets the TUV Product Service’s EN Standard, which subjects products to rigorous testing to ensure compliance with high product safety standards throughout Europe. Late in 2008, BCI Burke follows up on Intensity’s success by introducing the Intensity Curriculum to help train teachers and playground supervisors in how to get the greatest possible benefit from Intensity playgrounds. It is the industry’s first product-specific curriculum.

Sustainability also takes on new emphasis, as Burke responds to environmental concerns with a comprehensive set of “green” initiatives, including achievement of the ISO 14001:2004 Certification. This ensures that BCI Burke maintains an environmental system that complies with all environmental laws and regulations. The company also joins the Alliant Energy Second Nature™ Program, under which we purchase enough energy from wind and other renewable resources to offset approximately 12 percent of our electrical use. This supports further development of clean, unlimited energy sources.

2009:  BCI Burke introduces Nucleus™, the new playground system that uses the exclusive KoreKonnect® direct-bolt clamp system and the EZKonnect® self-leveling deck system, built around industry-standard 5" O.D. posts.  This allows a single play space to incorporate more variety, integrate traditional and fitness-oriented equipment and make better use of limited playground space.

2011:  BCI Burke introduces The Viper Slide with nearly 100 design options and up to 3 slides per platform entrance. Also released was the new Voltage™ playground line which combines the advantages of 3 ½” O.D. steel or aluminum upright posts, the advanced design of KoreKonnect® and EZKonnect® and the high-amperage excitement of Burke’s kid-pleasing play events. Additionally, Voltage allows designing for tighter spaces and smaller budgets without having to sacrifice the quality Burke is known for.

2012: Burke announced that it had secured partnerships to now obtain 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, positioning the company as a leader within the playground industry! New products included the exciting RockIt line of playground rock climbers, available as components or freestanding play events.

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