PacifiCan has announced a $2.5 million investment in Kelowna-based MAKR Group, a manufacturer of steel components, playground equipment, and water management systems. MAKR supplies splash pads and park installations globally, and this funding will support the implementation of an innovative Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) system. The IIoT system will connect smart manufacturing machines to the internet via sensors, allowing real-time monitoring of operational status, identifying inefficiencies faster, improving product quality, and optimizing resources to save time and reduce costs.
The investment comes at a time of growing global demand for spray parks and splash pads, with the number of installations expected to rise by 22 percent worldwide by 2028, and construction investment projected to increase from $3.7 billion to $5 billion. The funding will specifically support MAKR’s Waterplay business and Wekid manufacturing plant, helping them expand sales, create jobs, and strengthen competitiveness in this expanding market.
The funding is provided through PacifiCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity program, which helps high-growth businesses in British Columbia scale their operations, increase production, and reach new customers both domestically and internationally. The investment reflects the federal agency’s focus on driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth in the province and across Canada.
MAKR Group consists of three brands: Waterplay, which provides global splash pad installations; Parkworks, a North American park space supplier; and Wekid Mfg, which handles professional steel manufacturing. Since its first Waterplay installation in Whistler in 1987, the company has designed and installed thousands of splash pads on six continents. With this support from PacifiCan, MAKR aims to accelerate innovation in its manufacturing processes, enhance global competitiveness, and create high-quality local jobs while continuing to deliver safe, inclusive, and engaging recreational spaces worldwide.
