KOMPAN

1970
Tom Lindhardt Wils and Hans Mogens Frederiksen establish Multikunst Legepladser (Multiart Playgrounds). Initial designs were originally sold as large outdoor sculptures, but children soon discovered playing on Tom’s art was a lot more fun.

The name was subsequently changed to “KOMPAN”.  The word KOMPAN is derived from the Danish word, kumpan, meaning “Companion”.

1972
Tom Lindhardt designs the Hen, KOMPAN’s first spring rider.
 
Since their initial introduction, the rhythmic motion of Spring Riders has been shown to enhance balance and language skills in young children.  The design of the Hen hasn’t changed since it was first hand-drawn and more than 12,000 Hens have been sold worldwide.
 
KOMPAN wins prestigious Jeppe Design Award.


1990
KOMPAN establishes the KOMPAN Play Institute (KPI), a global network of child development specialists to lead the company’s educational and research programs.
 
Today, the KPI consists of 12 professionals who speak at more than 147 annual educational seminars worldwide while remaining an integral part of KOMPAN’s product development team
 
1992
KOMPAN is chosen as the sole industry consultant to establish the accessibility guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act.
 
KOMPAN’s products are designed to meet the ADA guidelines and to create “inclusive” play environments where children of all abilities can play at challenging levels together.
 
1994
KOMPAN opens the “Four Seasons”, a progressive child development center on the company’s campus in Ringe, Denmark.
 
The Four Seasons serves both the children of KOMPAN employees as well as families from the local communities.  Outdoor play is an integral focus for the center where children typically spend 75% of their time outdoors, fulfilling their promise to parents that their children will come home dirty, tired and happy.
 
1998
KOMPAN and LEGO team up to create “Playpoint”, mobile play spaces for young children utilizing KOMPAN’s hallmark design elements and LEGO’s trademark building blocks.
 
KOMPAN and LEGO, are headquartered in Denmark, and set the standard for quality and design for both commercial and consumer play products.

KOMPAN launches GALAXY™, its most innovative play system to date.  Inspired by Alexander Calder’s sculpture “Stabile”, GALAXY™ has a unique construction and dynamic mobiles that answer the need for today’s kids.
 
In 1999 and 2001, GALAXY™ won Silver Awards by the Industrial Designers Society of America for excellence in design.  GALAXY  furthermore won Japan's Good Design Prize Award as well as the prestigious Danish Industrial Design (ID) prize.

In 2001 GALAXY wins the Independent Living Award from the United Kingdom, being selected as the best play equipment design for children with disabilities, due to its all inclusive and ground-based design

2001
KOMPAN introduced the next generation of “post and platform” system with ELEMENTS™.
 
ELEMENTS™ and EDGE, is the only commercial play system designed without any paint, powder coating or PVC.

2003
KOMPAN launches FREEGAME in Europe.  FREEGAME is an innovative blend of KOMPAN’s knowledge of play and multisport uses.

2005
KOMPAN launches EDGE™ which gives children 360° of play. 

EDGE was created from the inspiration of the worlds greatest mountain peaks.  Each EDGE structure offers a variety of climbing and traversing routes with challenges for children of all abilities.

KOMPAN opens new distribution facility in central Europe to provide worldwide delivery of playgrounds.

KOMPAN has been certified to ISO 9001
 
KOMPAN has its products manufactured around the world and insists all suppliers agree to a stringent code of ethics that bans the use of child labor, provide fair wages and a high standard for working conditions.  As an ISO 14001 certified company, KOMPAN remains a leader of environmental stewardship.

2007
KOMPAN launches MOMENTS Story Makers™ products which takes imaginative play to a new level.