About us

SIK -Holz® is an owner-managed, medium-sized company in Fläming, south of Berlin. It was founded in 1988 by master wood sculptor Klaus-Peter Gust and his wife Claudia in the last year of the GDR’s planned economy. The business focussed on the planning, design and production of custom-made children’s playground equipment created from black locust wood. In 1989, the planned economy was transformed into a market economy and subsequently we successfully submitted designs for two small playgrounds in East and West Berlin. At the beginning of the 1990s we participated in several international trade fairs, which led to an increase in demand for our play equipment made from chemically untreated wood. Over the years the company has expanded and today employs around 230 staff. After many years of exellent collaboration with Marc Oelker, Claudia and Klaus-Peter Gust retiered in April 2021. Marc Oelker has become the sole company’s managing director. He not only continues the traditional spirit of SIK-Holz but also makes future-proofs with new ideas and further developments. We employ a variety of professionals in the manufacture of play equipment, such as carpenters, joiners, and wood sculptors, as well as other professionals such as office administrators, designers and engineers. Office and communal buildings, production and storage facilities are now spread across an area of approx. 6 ha. A holistic approach to our corporate identity is at the heart of our business. This is reflected in good working conditions, high quality standards and sustainable production methods.

In the widest sense, our playgrounds are articles of daily use made of creative ideas and natural locust wood. Each piece is unique. Irregularities in the wood’s growth, grain, growth rings, branches and roots give our sculptures and installations their individual character and make them special. Not only do we take into account the naturally grown shape and structure of the wood in the designs, but they also have a decisive influence on the character, shape and appeal of our objects. Joints, bonds and construction reflect both a solid, handcrafted workmanship, as well as an execution compliant with the highest standards. When selecting our means of expression, we flexibly approach the different demands posed by a given situation. We consciously design playgrounds which on the one hand achieve an exciting and dynamic interplay with their urban surroundings, and on the other hand integrate harmoniously in the landscape.

Particularly in our cities, residents, and especially children, are provided with fewer and fewer opportunities to access natural areas for play. We believe that the planning of playgrounds and design of open spaces therefore should take account of the individual child’s need for free play. We aim to achieve a balance between fostering movement and sensory experiences within nature on the one hand, and promoting social interaction and risk-taking in a safe environment on the other. SIK-Holz is a member of the standards committee ‘DIN 18034 Playgrounds and open spaces for playing’ and the standards committee ‘DIN EN 1176 Safety on children’s playgrounds’. Here the principles for good and safe playground design are compiled and regularly revised. The aim of the standards is to design playgrounds that achieve a high play value and the inclusion of all users whilst adhering to the greatest possible safety and usability standards.