A company with a model character
Cooperation means co-determination
The social model of the creative mind of Hilde Richter
Our family-managed company has retained this vision to the present day and nowadays Richter Spielgeräte is not only characterised by its high standards of quality but also by its social aspects. This spirit, lived and experienced every day by over 100 employees, can be traced back to the founding years and thus to the creator of the concept, Hilde Richter. The social model, which we have tested and successfully proven in practice for three generations now, is based on an idea deserving of more attention in our working world: work is not just a necessary evil but a part of life, and one capable of generating satisfaction.
Our Richter philosophy has held true right up to this day. The co-determination of the working climate and the passion for children’s play unites the workforce and the management. The company is proud of its “human touch” and the continuation of non-hierarchal ways of speaking, discussing and working together.
Our Richter philosophy has held true right up to this day. The co-determination of the working climate and the passion for children’s play unites the workforce and the management. The company is proud of its “human touch” and the continuation of non-hierarchal ways of speaking, discussing and working together.
Historical milestones
We look back on over 50 years of company history. Founded in 1967 by Hilde Richter, the company is today managed by her grandson, Julian Richter Jr.
Over 50 years ago, when Hilde Richter from Hamburg came up with the idea of building wooden play equipment for children’s playgrounds, which until then had been dominated by steel poles, nobody could have imagined that she would achieve something so successful.Julian Richter Sr., who studied at the Holzfachschule Rosenheim (Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences), Upper Bavaria, built the first prototypes according to his mother’s sketches in a small forge near Frasdorf, where the company is still at home. The play equipment from this period still characterises the company’s product catalogue, which now contains almost 1,000 items.
Hilde Richter was not only successful in changing the way communities think – above all, she was able to pass on her vision of making the world a little bit better for children to her son and her grandson, who today runs the company. The Richters don’t simply build playgrounds, they create play worlds. A deep awareness of social and educational issues forms the basis for the family’s heartfelt understanding of children.
Playground equipment allows the child to play a role.
Hilde Richter
Hilde Richter
Our Richter snail
Hilde Richter’s initial design for the play figure with the name “Dorothea Snail” originated as early as 1964. Dorothea Richter later used it as an inspiration for drawing the company logo of Hilde Richter Spielgeräte. The Richter snail has been protected by copyright since 1981 and has a high recognition value.
The snail not only stands for the like-named play character but, with its slow pace, friendly character and down-to-earth approach, it also symbolises the Richter company philosophy.
The snail not only stands for the like-named play character but, with its slow pace, friendly character and down-to-earth approach, it also symbolises the Richter company philosophy.