Educational equipment

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 19

Educational equipment

Playworld Products started as a spare-time activity about 18 months ago and has since become a fully fledged business in its own right with a foot in the export market. This is due in no small measure to the hard work and perseverance of the manager, Mr David Barnett. Mr Barnett and his wife, Rosalyn, also own and manage a" large educational supply shop, Every Educaid. Ltd. It was his interest in the field of educational equipment that led David into the use of a material called E V A. for the manufacture oi maths equipment, good quality teaching aids and nursery equipment such as cot and pram toys. E.V.A. is a brightly coloured, nqn-toxic foam plastic which is attractive to children and adults alike. It is safe, durable and washable

The product tag, printed in red and black, has been designed to identify products manufactured in Canterbury. It will be used on products for the local and export markets.

and has proved a winner in kindergartens and schools. Selling the products was initially a frustrating experience as it took a white tor the public to accept this new material as it had never before been used tor this purpose. One of the biggest problems to overcome was finding a way of distributing the products throughout the country. Packaging has also proved a headache because of small production runs. To overcome the problems associated with manufacturing for a comparativelv small market such as New Zealand, it is essential io export and that too has problems all of its own. However, with the help of a good accountant and the advice of the small business agency, David is well on the way to breaking into the Australian market.

PRODUCED IN / L CANTERBURY-