Chamber News

American Playground Celebrates 100 Years in Business at Awards Gala

"What can you say about a company that has survived everything an economy can throw at it--the highs and lows, the ebb and flow--and not only survive it but thrive in it for one hundred years?" asks Kyle Morey, President and CEO of the Madison County Chamber. "Pure genius mixed with a little luck and a whole lot of hope. American Playground is the epitome of a bright future Madison County!"

American Playground is well known for their one piece aluminum spiral slide which has now spawned a whole new line of aluminum Trough slides. Tube slides and hillside slides. A very unique application for our spiral is the use of it to replace fire poles in multi story fire stations.

American Playground started in 1911 in Anderson, Indiana. As American Playground Device Company grew so has their reputation. They became very well known for the finest Playground and Swimming Pool Equipment manufactured in the United States and completed its biggest and finest structure at Tuhey Park in Muncie. American Playground is the only manufacturer of the 10’ multi color Merry go Round known as the M-1500. They are also working on an energy generating Merry go Round. High Performance Soccer is a division of American Playground that manufactures regulation size soccer goals. High Performance Soccer has introduced a new net attachment along with a new tip resistant golden goal.

American Playground was owner by the Millar Family, Warren and Phil and for a brief period by Phil Abookire. It is currently owned by Peter O’Scanaill. Employing seven highly skilled people under the management of Anderson native Troy Pickett, Troy has been an employee of American Playground for 25 years.

Surviving 100 years in this industry make us the oldest playground manufacturer in the country. American Playground has achieved great milestones including the Tuhey Towers play structure: the biggest and finest structure they have ever manufactured. They are the only manufacturer of the one-piece aluminum spiral slide chutes for the new Fire Stations (the sliding poles are becoming obsolete). They have also designed a roulette wheel for Majestic Casino and manufactured an inside modular play system for Family Valley Church in Kalamazoo Michigan.

Services and products include playground inspections, installations, removal and re-installs, estimates, custom design work, playground surfacing, retro fits products freestanding spiral slides L-1015 & L-815 (one piece welded aluminum), freestanding straight slides, 10’ platform multi-color Merry Go Round, 6’ Solid Platform Merry Go Round, CST-1 Friendly Turtle (fiberglass), swing sets, modular units, metal slide chutes, trough slides, metal tube slides,bike racks, basketball goals, picnic tables, park benches, park shelters, aluminum benches, replacement parts, climbers, fitness equipment, tip resistant soccer goals, field paint, team shelters, and nets.

American Playground is committed to manufacturing the highest quality playground equipment that provides a safe environment for all children to entertain and develop themselves. They strive to create secure and durable play equipment that will span generations.

They look forward to the next 100 years.

American Playground will be honored for 50 years in business at the Madison County Chamber Annual Awards Gala on March 1, 2012 from 6 to 9 pm at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Anderson. For a complete list of award recipients and nominees or to purchase tickets: >> click here

Own Your Own Sears Hometown Store Here in Anderson

You are probably aware that Sears has announced plans to close their Full Line Store in Anderson. You may not be aware though that Sears has selected Anderson as a site for one of their locally owned and operated Hometown Stores.

We are excited about the opportunity to remain a part of your retail community," says Mike Jones, Regional Development Manager for Sears Home Stores. "Currently we are in the process of finding a local entrepreneur who would like to own their own business."

Click below to learn what it takes to own a Sears Hometown Store.

Close-out sale draws shoppers before Sears leaves city

By Stuart Hirsch The Herald Bulletin

A

NDERSON, Ind. — The end is near for Sears in Anderson. Although a closing date has not yet been set, a liquidation sale of all store merchandise began Friday and no new inventory will be brought in, said Kim Freely, a spokesperson for Sears Holding Corp., Sears’ corporate parent.

The company announced plans to close 100 to 120 under-performing stores after a disappointing Christmas buying season.

Megan and Rachael Hollowell of Anderson were saddened to see the store close but were taking advantage of the sales Saturday afternoon. They had armfuls of baby clothes and a car seat for Rachael Hollowell’s god-daughter.

“This is going to make the mall even more empty,” Megan Hollowell said. “They need to get better stores in the mall.”

Jeff Motsinger of Anderson came to get a hose for his Shop-Vac but was enticed by the sales to check out more things and had filled his cart with a variety of items. Like the Hollowells, he is sad to see the store go but said he really wasn’t too surprised.

“It’s the economy,” Motsinger said. “We need to get more jobs here so people can support the stores.”

While the venerable department store’s closing is a blow to Anderson, there also could be a silver lining for local businesses, said Madison County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Kyle Morey. Customers who used to shop at Sears “are going to be looking elsewhere to spend their dollars,” Morey said.

Rob Sparks, executive director of the Corporation for Economic Development, said he recently had a brief meeting with a regional sales manager for Sears Hometown Stores. Sparks said the idea is to find a local person to open a 6,500- to 25,000-square-foot store licensed to sell Sears-brand products.

Sears Holding spokeswoman Feely said each store scheduled for closure employs between 40 and 80 people. The 125-year-old retailer merged with Kmart in 2005. Other states affected by the closings are Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee.

Contact Stuart Hirsch: 640-4861, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Abbey Doyle contributed to this story.

More Articles...