The Federal Trade Commission said on 19 October 2026 that it had sued to block PlayPower, a portfolio company of Platinum Equity, from acquiring rival commercial playground equipment maker BCI Burke.
Why PlayPower, Inc. (Platinum Equity) is buying BCI Burke
The FTC argues the combination of two close rivals would reduce price and quality competition in an already concentrated market for commercial outdoor playground equipment, in which regulators say the five largest companies hold 85-90% of the US market.
Deal terms and financing
Terms of the proposed acquisition have not been disclosed.
Regulatory approvals and timing
The FTC and 12 states filed a complaint seeking permanent equitable relief in the US District Court for the Northern District of California after the commission voted 2-0 to authorise the case. The states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
Market context
The FTC named both Platinum Equity and PlayPower as defendants. A PlayPower spokesperson said the company remained confident in the merits of the combination, according to press reports.
