Tiptiptap: leader in the field of playgrounds

Tiptiptap OÜ, a successful Estonian company, has grown into a world-class manufacturer of playgrounds and skateboard parks. An Estonian industry leader is a family business and the only Estonian playground manufacturer whose products are TÜV-certified. Tiptiptap exports its products to the Nordic countries, Europe, Asia, the Arab world and Australia, writes Arileht.

Since the establishment of the company, the most important operating principles have been the ambition to think and plan on a global scale, to cooperate with experienced professionals and to keep the focus on the synergy of quality and design.

It all started in the backyard

Estonian children have been familiar with the playgrounds of Tiptiptap for a long time. “Tiptiptap started in 2004 thanks to little Marie, whose father Rasmus wanted to build a playground for his child. It turned out that the choice of domestic attractions is almost non-existent. However, expensive imported goods did not justify their price with appearance or functionality,” recalls Kadri Klaassen, the administrative manager of Tiptiptap.

The initial frustration quickly turned into a flying idea. The home garage, the necessary tools and the help of a friend were all that was needed to complete a suitable attraction. “In fact, the men were so fast that they finished two products. In order to get a bystander rating for a handiwork, Rasmus went to the fair, where the playground quickly found a new owner. The work was praised and there was an active interest in where to buy such products. By the end of the day, the decision to start production had been made!” Klaassen describes.

Safety first

Security has been one of the main goals from the beginning. “After all, parents are very aware of the importance of the safety of play equipment. Of course, colors, design, materials, functions are important for products, but safety is always the most important thing,” confirms Klaassen.
Klaassen compares and emphasizes that the conformity of products to the current standard must be confirmed by an accredited company independent of the manufacturer. “TÜV certificates are the best confirmation for the customer that this is a product that meets safety requirements for playgrounds and skateparks. It is not possible to sell products to other countries without a certificate,” explains Klaassen.

Catalog products or special solutions

While trends in the fashion world can change every season, playgrounds and skateboard parks tend to value stability and design, as well as quality that lasts a long time. “However, this does not mean that we do not constantly create anything special – on the contrary! We are also valued as a cooperation partner because even the craziest special solutions can be implemented in Tiptiptap with playful ease,” says Klaassen. How flexibility, creativity and different requirements work together is best seen in the new solutions that are being developed.

Maarjamäe Castle Park of the Estonian History Museum, the playground of the Estonian National Museum, Peetri Park, Järveküla Playground, Kuressaare Park Kindergarten and Vastseliina and Haaslava Kindergarten playgrounds – these are just a few examples of special solutions. “The reason for a special solution does not always have to be a pretentious environment, heritage protection requirements or the architect’s vision. Fantasy can also be allowed to fly, because even one special product can give the playground something that appeals both young and old,” says Klaassen.

Tiptiptap’s product range is large, so customer can complete the playground one needs by choosing from standard products. “However, it is always worth looking at what additional possibilities come with one or another attraction, for example, different color schemes, thematic panels, etc. Over the years, customers have developed their favorite products and are always pleasantly surprised when it turns out that a familiar product can be in different colors than usual or can be supplemented with another game element,” Klaassen describes.

From manufacturer to provider of a complete movement experience

Along with the growth of production, Tiptiptap’s product range has also expanded. In addition to the versatile playgrounds, skateboard parks have taken their rightful place, which are well suited for youth and leisure centers, city parks, green areas of residential areas and schools. But that’s not all, because Tiptiptap supports people’s active participation much more broadly. They create sports grounds, outdoor gyms, health sports tracks, park equipment – that everyone, regardless of age, could enjoy the fresh air.

Thus, over the years, Tiptiptap has become a provider of a comprehensive movement experience: being designers who think about the user and safety; designers who work accurately and efficiently; manufacturers who think about the environment by using safe materials and creating durable solutions; installers and maintainers for whom correctness, speed and a good end result are important; collaborators for whom the client and his goals are important.

Tested in four seasons, valuing the environment

To ensure that attractions do not lose their properties and appearance over the years, they must be tested under the most extreme conditions. Today, the playgrounds reach countries with year-round heat and snow storms or hurricanes. In order that the sun, wind, rain and snow would not harm the playgrounds, it is necessary to know exactly which materials justify themselves and under what conditions.

An environmentally friendly way of thinking is a matter of course in today’s production. In the field of playgrounds, the environmental impact can be reduced with maintenance-free product lines. As the products do not require maintenance, they do not need to be replaced for many years. “We are developing Tiptiptap’s new products with the desire to save the environment and find new environmentally friendly solutions. We are coming up with new products from recycled materials or all-natural eco-materials. We have also minimized our production residues and their recycling takes place, for example, in the packaging process. In this way, we also think about our future and contribute to environmental protection,” says Klaassen.