# North Carolina Stops Playground Merger

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and a multistate coalition sued to stop PlayPower’s proposed acquisition of playground-equipment supplier BCI Burke, alleging the deal could reduce competition and raise costs for buyers such as schools and local governments. PlayPower has withdrawn the acquisition plan, removing the immediate merger-related risk; the announcement describes no new solicitation or contract award.

- Public buyers can continue evaluating playground-equipment suppliers and comparing pricing; the proposed consolidation will not proceed as announced.
- This development concerns market competition rather than a new procurement vehicle or funding opportunity, so it does not identify a new bid or contract action for contractors.
- Playground suppliers and public buyers may factor the withdrawal into current market and sourcing assessments, while recognizing that the signal provides no specific pricing or contract changes.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Published:** October 28, 2026

### Government Entities
- North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

### Vendors
- PlayPower (Proposed acquirer; withdrew the acquisition plan)
- BCI Burke (Proposed acquisition target)

### Key Quotes
> Antitrust laws exist to help protect families, and my office will continue fighting to enforce them.
> — Jeff Jackson, Attorney General

### Sources
- [Playground Manufacturers Back Down from Proposed Unlawful Merger After Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s Lawsuit - NCDOJ](https://ncdoj.gov/playground-manufacturers-back-down-from-proposed-unlawful-merger-after-attorney-general-jeff-jacksons-lawsuit/) - Ncdoj