Wisconsin Department of Justice joins coalition and FTC in filing complaint to block merger of major playground equipment manufacturers

Wisconsin is joining a federal-state coalition in a lawsuit seeking to block the proposed acquisition of Fond du Lac-based BCI Burke by playground equipment maker PlayPower.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission say the deal could reduce competition in an already concentrated market, potentially leading to higher prices, lower-quality products and less innovation.

BCI Burke and PlayPower are among five companies that collectively control an estimated 85 to 90 percent of the U.S. commercial playground equipment market, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit argues that combining the two companies would eliminate a major competitor and could also hurt independent sales representatives.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Wisconsin is joined in the lawsuit by eleven other states and the Federal Trade Commission.