160 Years of History
In 2025, Berliner is celebrating three special anniversaries: 160 years of company history, paired with 70 years of rope play equipment and 30 years as a family business owned by the Koehler family. Three impressive milestones that not only attest to our experience and innovative strength but also to a deep-rooted passion for what Berliner has been doing for generations: creating playgrounds that make hearts beat faster.
160 Years of Company History
Berliner was founded in 1865 at Neukirchstraße 62 in Berlin-Heinersdorf. Initially, hemp and wire ropes were produced for state authorities. Later, the focus shifted to the production of ropes for the elevator industry. Despite two world wars, the factory remained virtually undamaged and operated until the 1970s. 160 years later, it is not a factory that stands at Berliner’s birthplace, but one of our Cosmos. True to the motto: Back to the roots.
70 Years of Rope play Equipment
70 years ago, American boxer and sculptor Joe Brown developed the first rope play equipment, laying the foundation for our success story.
As a pioneer of rope play equipment, Brown created the first ‘Play Communities’ that were both artistic and functional – shaping modern play culture.
30 Years Family run Business
Since 1995, our family-run business has been successfully operated by the Koehler family in Berlin. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the parent company originally wanted to close the business, but Managing Director Karl Koehler seized the opportunity and took over Berliner in a management buy-out . With the entry of David Koehler, our family business is now in its second generation. Since 1995, we have developed and produced play equipment exclusively and have made a name for ourselves worldwide. We are proud to put a smile on children’s faces in 56 countries with our high-quality, unique, modern play equipment – ‘Made in Berlin’.
