Blue Imp

Playing into a Great Future

Building Playgrounds for Generations

For more than a century, Medicine Hat, Alberta, has been home to a remarkable legacy. What began as a modest blacksmith shop in 1917 has evolved into one of North America’s most respected playground equipment manufacturers. Today, Blue Imp continues to grow while holding to the values that shaped its earliest days.

Behind that success is a company that understands both steel and people. Blue Imp’s inclusive playgrounds are built from durable materials designed to withstand time and harsh climates, but the company’s true strength lies in the relationships it continues to build with communities across North America.

A Tale of Opportunity and Innovation

Blue Imp operates under the parent company SF Scott Manufacturing Company Limited, a four-generation family-owned business with deep roots in Western Canada. The company’s history is one of ingenuity and responsiveness, continuously shifting to meet the needs of the market. Eventually, SF Scott began manufacturing farming tools and equipment, inspiring the name that would later define its playground brand. “When they started to do the farming implements back in the 20s and 30s, the trade name for the line was Blue Implement,” says Michael Rasmussen, the General Manager of Blue Imp Playgrounds. “So, when they transitioned into play equipment in the 50s, that’s where they coined the name Blue Imp, and that’s what we carry still today.”

The company built its first playground in 1936 for a local park. “It was a need that was brought to the attention of the company to make a swing, a slide, a teeter totter,” Rasmussen says. “And that’s where we got our foot in the door for the industry.”

Product lines continued to expand over several decades, from chain link fencing to ornamental railings. By the 1990s, however, a decision was made that would define the company’s future. “It was a huge transition period,” Rasmussen reflects. “We had tremendous growth in the late 90s, taking us on to the stage as a major national player and competitor in the market, and really focusing on that. That’s where we started to drop off some of those complimentary lines and started to focus on playground equipment manufacturing. And since the early 2000s, that’s what we’ve done.”

An Expansive Manufacturing Footprint

Blue Imp’s manufacturing presence in Medicine Hat is built on steady expansion. Instead of operating in a single massive facility, the company has gradually grown by acquiring additional buildings as demand has increased. “We’ve got six buildings across four separate city blocks,” Rasmussen explains. “As time passes and we need to grow a little bit, or we need to add a certain area, or we need more storage capacity, we acquire a building.” Together, those facilities total about 80,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space.

A close-up of our universally accessible All-Around,
with a tower structure and Alberta’s Rockies in the background

Within those spaces are several specialized departments that handle everything from administrative tasks to design, fabrication, and finishing. Blue Imp maintains an in-house drafting team that produces detailed 3D renderings and engineering drawings for the sales team to share with clients. These designs also guide the company’s CNC machinery and fabrication processes.

“We’ve got three key manufacturing departments,” details Rasmussen. “We’ve got our fabrication department, our finishing, and then shipping.”

Quality sits at the center of the company’s manufacturing philosophy. “Our focus is durability,” Rasmussen says. “We want highly durable materials that are not going to rust, break, or wear down in the Canadian climate. They’re going to be a sound, long-term investment for our customers that is going to stand the test of time.”  Steel materials are the backbone of that approach. The company uses stainless steel, galvanized tubing, aluminum, and specialty coatings to ensure its playgrounds can withstand years of heavy use and harsh weather conditions.

An inclusive rocker featuring our supportive E-Z seats

A People-Driven Operation

Along with investments in modern machinery and advanced techniques, Rasmussen emphasizes the importance of people. “Our product is still very much a hands-on manufacturing item,” he says. “While processes like powder coating and grinding can be automated, we’ve made a deliberate decision to keep skilled people directly involved. Having experienced eyes on each part ensures the level of quality our customers expect. That means relying on a team we trust—people who take pride in their work and consistently deliver strong results. We’re fortunate to have that.”

The company’s culture reflects its family ownership and long-term outlook. “One thing that is extremely key to Blue Imp’s success over the years is our people. We are a small enough company that everybody knows everybody. We truly value each other,” Rasmussen relays.

Many employees have been part of the team for decades, sharing their unique skills and knowledge. “We have a very experienced staff, and that’s a huge part of what we do,” touts Rasmussen.

“Our longest serving employee has been here since 1989, so he’s celebrating 37 years this year. We’ve got multiple employees who have been with us for 20-plus years. That allows us to be more efficient and ensures we get a quality result.” He notes that this extends to the longstanding members of the sales staff who share Blue Imp’s products with the end customer. “We wouldn’t be anywhere without them, those outside of this office and facility, or those in it,” he confirms.

Expanding Through Digital Strategy

When it comes to growth, Blue Imp’s online presence has become a pivotal marketing tool. In recent years, the company has gradually shifted some marketing investment away from large print catalogs and toward digital platforms that expand its reach. “We’ve decided that we’re going to reduce our investment in that print media,” Rasmussen says.

The reduced investment in print media meant the company could expand its digital reach, putting Blue Imp in front of potential customers and markets that were previously unexplored. That strategy has brought interest from several directions, including prospective partners in the United States. “We’ve had multiple interested parties from the US come to us about selling and installing playground equipment,” he recounts. “So, we may see some growth and some opportunity to expand Blue Imp’s presence in the US.”

A large school playground with a wide diversity of equipment

While still in early stages, those conversations could open a new chapter for the company. “We’re talking 350 plus million people in the US, compared to Canada’s less than 40,” Rasmussen notes. “So in terms of population and growth potential, even if a small percentage of those opportunities can utilize Blue Imp equipment, it would be a tremendous growth opportunity for us.”

Designing Spaces for Every Child

At the heart of Blue Imp’s mission is the basic idea that every child deserves a place to play. The company works primarily with municipalities, school boards, and First Nation communities, designing playgrounds for children in all settings, from urban parks to remote northern communities.

One project that stands out is a neighborhood playground known as Bobbie’s Place, in northern Alberta. The playground was created to honor a young girl with physical limitations while providing an inclusive play space for the entire community. “It was designed in her spirit,” Rasmussen depicts.

“It was about creating a playground space that really embodied the community’s feelings and an environment that was going to accommodate not only her, but any child in the community that wanted to play. The highlight of this inclusive playground is the All-Around, our universally accessible merry-go-round designed for every child as well as their caregivers. We were the first in Canada to design and manufacture this product.”

This project exemplifies Blue Imp’s commitment to listening closely to its clients and tailoring designs to each community’s needs. “We like to build a relationship with our customers,” he asserts. “We like to meet face to face, and to go visit the sites. We know that when we have the opportunity to talk and ask questions and get a sense of the inspiration for the playground project, that’s when we can better tailor the design to make it the best result for the community as it can be.”

A Brand Built on Loyalty

While suppliers and materials are essential to Blue Imp’s manufacturing process, Rasmussen believes the company’s success is based on the loyalty of its customers. “We’re not here without them,” he says. “If nobody buys our product, it doesn’t matter where we buy our supplies.”

Our fully accessible merry-go-round, a very popular item in our inclusive play category

That dedication often leads to long-term partnerships with municipalities and organizations that continue to return to Blue Imp for future projects. “To have that loyalty and that continued success with some very key players, whether it be municipalities or school boards across Canada, that’s a huge part of where Blue Imp is,” he maintains. “That speaks to our values and how we approach the making and the selling of our product.”

As its legacy continues, Blue Imp will continue to listen to communities, build durable products, and most importantly, create places where children can play.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Blue Imp

What: Canada’s Original Playground Maker

Where: Medicine Hat, Alberta

Website: www.blueimp.com