Backyard Products
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersAnn Arbor, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Backyard Products does
Backyard Products, LLC is a privately held U.S. manufacturer and installer of wooden backyard structures, operating since 1975 from its corporate headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI (relocated there in November 2020 from Monroe, MI). The company runs a multi-brand portfolio of 12 wholly-owned sub-brands organized into four product categories: sheds and accessory dwelling units (Heartland, Handy Home Products, ShedMaster, Shed Liquidators, Studio Home), playsets (KidKraft, Swing-n-Slide, Gorilla Playsets), outdoor living structures (Yardistry, Big Timber, Lawn Master), and outdoor furniture (Tortuga).
Core manufacturing is vertically integrated across four U.S. plants in Monroe, MI (200,000 sq ft with a 2021 60,000 sq ft expansion), Canton, GA, Boulder, CO, and Waxahachie, TX, producing more than 110,000 shed and playset kits per year, with 95% of lumber sourced under FSC or SFI certification. The company monetizes through wholesale and direct-to-consumer unit sales of kits and finished structures, plus separately priced professional installation services delivered through 33+ company-owned branches nationwide, with typical lead times of 2-5 weeks off-peak and 4-8+ weeks in season.
Products reach end customers primarily through five anchor retail partners - Lowe's, Costco, Home Depot, Sam's Club, and Amazon - supplemented by brand-owned DTC websites and a Yardistry 3D Model Builder design tool. KidKraft products are distributed in over 90 countries. Backyard Products self-describes as America's #1 Shed & Playset Manufacturer, employs approximately 500 people across divisional HQs and branch offices, and pursues growth through both organic expansion and continued brand acquisitions under the leadership of CEO Thomas van der Meulen, COO Kirk Utemark, and CFO Dan Lawrence.
Backyard Products firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Backyard Products
- Legal name
- Backyard Products, LLC
- Website
- https://backyardproducts.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Backyard Products industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Storage Sheds and Backyard Structures
- NAICS
- Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers (444), Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing (337122), Furniture and Home Furnishings Retailers (4491)
- SIC
- Lumber & Wood Products (No Furniture) (2400), Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200), Retail-Furniture Stores (5712)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outdoor Living Structures Retail (Sheds, Gazebos, Pergolas, Greenhouses) (CRAIAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Patio & Outdoor Furniture Retail (Seating, Dining, Umbrellas) (CRAIAIAF), Wood Decking, Fencing & Outdoor Lumber Products (IMADADAF)
Keywords
Where Backyard Products is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ann Arbor
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Backyard Products business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Shed and Storage Kit Sales: Sale of shed kits (storage, lifestyle, studios, accessory dwelling units) through retail partners and direct online channels. Includes DIY kits and professionally installed options.
- Playset and Play Equipment Sales: Sale of playsets and play accessories across multiple brands (KidKraft, Swing-n-Slide, Gorilla Playsets) through major retailers and online.
- Outdoor Living Structure Sales: Sale of outdoor living structures including pergolas, pavilions, gazebos through brands Yardistry, Big Timber, and Lawn Master.
- Outdoor Furniture Sales: Sale of premium outdoor furniture through Tortuga brand, sold at fine retailers and direct-to-consumer website.
- Installation Services: Professional installation services provided through over 33 installation branches nationwide, with separate installation fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Multiple price points across 7 shed brands offering a wide range of styles, sizes and prices |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Playsets ranging from budget-friendly swing sets to deluxe redwood structures |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Professional installation with seasonal pricing variations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Backyard Products product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Backyard Products designs, manufactures, and sells wooden backyard structures including storage sheds, playsets, outdoor living structures (pergolas, pavilions, gazebos), accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and outdoor furniture across a portfolio of 12+ brands. Products are sold as DIY kits or with professional installation through 33+ company branches, distributed via major retailers such as Lowe's, Costco, Home Depot, Sam's Club, and Amazon, as well as direct-to-consumer online channels.
Product overview
Backyard Products is America's #1 shed and playset manufacturer operating as a multi-brand portfolio company since 1975. The company offers a comprehensive range of backyard structures across four main product categories: (1) Sheds including Heartland, Handy Home Products, ShedMaster, Shed Liquidators, and Studio Home for ADUs/studios; (2) Playsets including KidKraft, Swing-n-Slide, and Gorilla Playsets; (3) Outdoor Living structures including Yardistry, Big Timber, and Lawn Master for pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos; and (4) Outdoor Furniture through Tortuga. Products are sold through major retailers (Lowe's, Costco, Home Depot, Sam's Club, Amazon) and direct-to-consumer, with over 30 installation branches providing professional setup. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Monroe, MI (200,000 sq. ft. with 60,000 sq. ft. expansion), Canton, GA, Boulder, CO, and Waxahachie, TX, producing over 110,000 shed and playset kits annually.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Heartland: America's #1 Wood Shed brand offering DIY and installed sheds made in USA since 1975. Wide variety of functional storage solutions available online and at Lowe's.
- Studio Home
- ShedMaster
- Shed Liquidators
- Handy Home Products
- Gorilla Playsets
- KidKraft
- Swing-n-Slide
- Yardistry
- Big Timber
- Lawn Master
- Tortuga
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 10 million shed and playset kits sold since 1975
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Backyard Products
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Backyard Products technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Backyard Products partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- Local Food BanksminorBackyard Products divisions host food drives throughout the year in partnership with local food banks to help those facing food insecurity. As of October 2024, nearly 5,000 food items have been donated.
- Make-A-Wish FoundationcoreBackyard Products helps grant wishes for children with illnesses by building and donating swing sets and shed spaces in their backyards. Play and Shed teams have donated structures through Make-A-Wish partnerships, bringing joy to children facing health challenges.
- Toys for TotscoreAs a Toys for Tots 1-Star National Corporate Sponsor, Backyard Products has donated over $100,000 in toys for their Christmas collection drive, bringing joy to children and families during the holidays.
- Tractor Supply Co. FoundationminorTractor Supply Co. Foundation partnered with Backyard Products and Make-A-Wish to fulfill the dream of Kaedence Clark, a teenager battling leukemia, by donating a shed for his backyard sanctuary.
- Lowe'sflagshipHeartland shed brand is sold at Lowe's stores across the country for more than 40 years. Lowe's is a major distribution channel for Backyard Products shed and playset brands.
- CostcoflagshipCostco serves as a major retail distribution channel for playsets and is the exclusive retailer for the Big Timber brand of Western Red Cedar pergolas and pavilions.
- Home DepotflagshipHome Depot is a major retail partner distributing Handy Home Products shed kits and Lawn Master outdoor living structures. Lawn Master has been a Home Depot partner for more than a decade.
- AmazoncoreAmazon serves as an online marketplace distribution channel for playsets and sheds, providing e-commerce reach for KidKraft, Swing-n-Slide, Gorilla Playsets, and shed products.
- Sam's ClubcoreSam's Club is a major retail distribution channel for shed products.
- KidKraftflagshipKidKraft is a subsidiary/brand under Backyard Products specializing in children's toys and playsets, sold in over 90 countries. Over 50 years in business.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Backyard Products competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tuff Shed: Tuff Shed is the most direct competitor to Backyard Products in the wooden shed category, operating as a vertically integrated shed manufacturer with company-owned installation crews across the US. Comparable business model spanning DIY kits to professionally installed sheds, with overlapping retail and direct-to-consumer channels.
- Suncast: Suncast is a leading manufacturer of outdoor storage products, resin/wood sheds, and outdoor furnishings sold through major retailers including Home Depot and Lowe's. Closely comparable in retail distribution strategy and outdoor storage category overlap.
- Keter: Keter is a global manufacturer of resin-based outdoor storage sheds, deck boxes, and outdoor furniture sold through major home improvement retailers. Directly comparable in the shed and outdoor storage category, with similar retail partnerships at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Amazon.
- Lifetime Products: Lifetime Products manufactures outdoor storage sheds, playsets, picnic tables, and outdoor furniture. Comparable in both shed and playset categories where Backyard Products competes through its Heartland, Handy Home, Gorilla Playsets, and Swing-n-Slide brands.
- Arrow Storage Products: Arrow Storage Products is a leading manufacturer of metal and wood storage sheds sold primarily through home improvement retailers. Comparable in the DIY shed category where Backyard Products competes through Heartland, Handy Home, and ShedMaster brands.
- Backyard Discovery: Backyard Discovery manufactures wooden playsets, swing sets, and outdoor structures (pergolas, gazebos) sold through major retailers including Costco, Home Depot, and Amazon. Direct competitor in both the playset category (Gorilla Playsets, Swing-n-Slide) and outdoor living category (Yardistry).
- ShelterLogic: ShelterLogic manufactures portable and fabric outdoor structures, garages, and storage solutions sold through major home improvement retailers. Comparable in the outdoor structures and storage category, though differentiated by material (fabric vs. wood).
- Cedar Summit (Simplay3): Cedar Summit produces wooden swing sets and playsets sold through Sam's Club and other major retailers. Directly comparable to Backyard Products' Gorilla Playsets and Swing-n-Slide brands in the wooden playset category.
Broad incumbents
- Newell Brands (Rubbermaid Outdoor): Newell Brands owns the Rubbermaid brand, a leader in resin outdoor storage and organization products sold at major retailers. Broader incumbent competing in the outdoor storage shed and organization category where Backyard Products competes through its shed brands.
Emerging players
- POLYWOOD: POLYWOOD is a premium manufacturer of eco-friendly outdoor furniture made from recycled materials, sold direct-to-consumer and through retailers. Comparable to Backyard Products' Tortuga brand in the premium outdoor furniture category with similar sustainability positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Backyard Products social profiles
Digital presenceBackyard Products compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Backyard Products financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Backyard Products leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Backyard Products subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries12 records
Backyard Products funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Backyard Products M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Backyard Products
What does Backyard Products do?
Backyard Products designs, manufactures, and sells wooden backyard structures including storage sheds, playsets, outdoor living structures (pergolas, pavilions, gazebos), accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and outdoor furniture across a portfolio of 12+ brands. Products are sold as DIY kits or with professional installation through 33+ company branches, distributed via major retailers such as Lowe's, Costco, Home Depot, Sam's Club, and Amazon, as well as direct-to-consumer online channels.
Is Backyard Products a public or private company?
Backyard Products is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Backyard Products founded?
Backyard Products was founded in 1975. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Backyard Products based?
Backyard Products is headquartered in Ann Arbor, United States, in the North America region.
How does Backyard Products make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Shed and Storage Kit Sales are the primary driver. The others are playset and Play Equipment Sales, outdoor Living Structure Sales, outdoor Furniture Sales and installation Services.
Who are Backyard Products's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tuff Shed, Suncast, Keter, Lifetime Products, Arrow Storage Products, Backyard Discovery, ShelterLogic and Cedar Summit (Simplay3). Newell Brands (Rubbermaid Outdoor) is listed as a broad incumbent. POLYWOOD is listed as an emerging player.
Does Backyard Products have an API?
No public API is recorded for Backyard Products.
What industry is Backyard Products in?
Backyard Products's product category is Outdoor Storage Sheds and Backyard Structures. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIAIAG, Outdoor Living Structures Retail (Sheds, Gazebos, Pergolas, Greenhouses), with a secondary code of CRAIAIAF, Patio & Outdoor Furniture Retail (Seating, Dining, Umbrellas). Its NAICS code is 444 and its SIC code is 2400.