The boss of Percussion Play, world-leading designer, manufacturer and major exporter of outdoor musical instruments, has been explaining why the company is based at Dunsbury Park, Havant, one of Solent Freeport’s tax sites.

The company, which was founded in 2011 by Jody Ashfield, pictured, (Chief Executive Officer) and his father Robin (Marketing Director) is headquartered in the 26,430 sq ft Unit 501 as its business continues to expand.

Percussion Play grew out of a business run by Robin in the 1990s making children’s playground equipment and a bespoke collection gradually evolved into a more sensory range and, as demand remained high, into musical instruments

Since its founding Percussion Play has created more than 70 outdoor musical instruments which are now played in over 50 countries, enhancing spaces such as schools, parks, libraries and hospitals.

The company’s reach is truly international with more than 90% of products exported, with top markets including the USA (45-50%), Australia, Denmark, France, and Lithuania, and a network of more than 200 representatives worldwide

Each of the diverse selection of musical and percussion instruments is handcrafted at the company’s workshop at Dunsbury Park and can be found in a wide range of settings, which also include therapeutic spaces like dementia care homes, music therapy programmes and special education centres.

Jody explained why Dunsbury Park was chosen. He said: “The business had expanded and we were continuing to strive for growth. We had outgrown our previous premises, converted farm buildings in Froxfield, near Petersfield, Hampshire, which were not really suitable for a 21st century manufacturing operation. We also at that time had to outsource some of our manufacturing processes, a small amount of that to Europe and China.

“We needed a more ‘industrial’ unit and the biggest driving factor for us ending up at Dunsbury Park, as opposed to one of several other suitable sites in the area, was that it is part of Solent Freeport. There are multi-faceted reasons for this, including the benefits that being on a freeport tax site brings if you meet qualifying criteria.

“Solent Freeport is set up to stimulate economic growth within the local area and businesses are able to take advantage of the opportunities which will also boost the wider region when supply chains and the like are taken into account.

“Because of the way the business had grown and the outsourcing of processes, our intention was to find somewhere suitable to carry out manufacturing in-house. That creates jobs and that brings manufacturing back into the UK, as well as reducing the carbon cost of our manufacturing processes because we don’t have to move materials around the country to various sub-contractors.

“We are not totally turnkey because we still have some processes, such as painting, which are outsourced, but Dunsbury Park allows us to move to a more turnkey solution, as well as dedicating more resources to design, research and development. A specific area is reserved for R&D and we are now much more adept at rapid prototyping as we are not reliant on third parties

“We were also impressed by the quality of the location and local amenities, which complement our brand, and which also attracted us to the site. The emphasis on providing quality outdoor space and a business park environment make Dunsbury Park an attractive place to grow within.”

Jody also said the park was in a good location, with excellent proximity to the A3, and convenient for the Percussion Play’s pool of 43 employees – up from 27 when the company acquired the unit in early 2024 – reducing the commute time for around 80% of staff.

Unit 501 has also enabled growth – with three welding bays on site, 3D printing, larger computer numerical control (CNC) machines and recently-installed new milling centre, which has created jobs.

Percussion Play is also a firm believer in work placements and apprenticeships as well as sourcing, growing  and retaining its own talent and the company works closely with both Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council regarding employment opportunities and being based at Dunsbury Park.

Jody, an amateur musician who says he can get a note out of a saxophone, adds that Percussion Play’s precisely tuned outdoor musical instruments make perfect additions to an abundance of settings, bringing music to outdoor spaces across the world. They can be effortlessly played and enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities and allow children and adults to realise how truly gratifying it is to make music together.

He says there is no need for musical direction and any combination of the company’s outdoor musical instruments can be played together harmoniously. The products bring the fun and ease of playing musical and percussion instruments into the outside world and can even provide music therapy.

Percussion Play has a range of funky inclusive outdoor play equipment and inclusive playground equipment to suit any musical needs, whether potential purchasers are looking for a new addition for an urban space or a rural play area, music park, recreation park, school playground, elder centre or tourist attraction.

The range of instruments includes a growing collection of nature-themed outdoor musical instruments, featuring designs inspired by flowers, leaves, insects, and other creatures. There are also drums, chimes, bells, xylophones, metallophones, marimbas, aerophones, ground instruments, ensemble instruments, a rainbow collection and sound effects.

Jody added: “We feel the future is really exciting. Our new marketing manager is focussing on areas in which we haven’t been particularly strong in the past and we are enhancing our digital platforms and capabilities rather than just relying on the likes of trade fairs.

“We are ever-optimistic that the future is bright, that there will be significant growth opportunities – including the UK – and we that will continue to innovate, as an industry-leading business, in terms of the product and also the service we offer.

Percussion Play also works closely with charities, including Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association and The Royal Society for Blind Children as it continues to develop special projects over the next few years.

The company looks at user groups which may have additional needs to create a range of musical products which, by their nature, are inclusive and believes there may be a lot more as yet unknown benefits to be identified.

Although currently in its infancy, this project also includes outdoor music for the elderly and younger people with autism spectrum disorders and is enabling Percussion Play to put some time, money and energy making sure its products are fully inclusive by design.

Dr Petra Kern, renowned music therapist, researcher and international consultant, had kind words for the company. She said: “Over the years, I have been pleased to see the ideas from my early research inspire the development of musical playgrounds around the world.

“Companies like Percussion Play have embraced this vision by designing outdoor musical instruments that are accessible, durable, and inviting for children of all abilities. Their work helps bring these inclusive environments to life spaces where music, movement, and connection happen naturally.”

Percussion Play was awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2024, in recognition of the company’s growth in global markets and underscoring its commitment to innovation.

The award was presented to Jody and Robin by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson and Deputy Lieutenant Simon Tufnell.

Jody said: “The recognition of our commercial success and growth was testament to our amazing team’s hard work, as well as the support of our global network of representatives.

“Our outdoor musical instruments are making a difference worldwide—in schools, parks, and beyond—supporting music therapy and education for people of all ages.”

Percussion Play was also awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise  in 2021 in the International Trade category in acknowledgment of outstanding growth in overseas sales over the previous three years.

Find out more about Percussion Play:  https://www.percussionplay.com/

Dunsbury Park is a new business gateway to the South, a thriving and award-winning business park next to junction 3 of the A3(M) on the London/Solent corridor.

Located in Havant, developed by Portsmouth City Council and set in natural parkland, the £140m-plus project offers a wide variety of undeveloped land opportunities.

There are more than 43 hectares ready for development with existing planning permission for 665,000 sq ft of manufacturing, industrial, distribution and office space.

Dunsbury Park has been awarded Freeport Tax Site status within the Solent Freeport which enables it to offer a generous government package of financial incentives (subject to application and qualification) for new occupiers.

New site-wide amenities are planned and will be open to all. Nature trails, fitness tracks, picnic areas, café and meeting facilities will support the health and wellbeing of staff.

Dunsbury Park complements the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside and encourages local wildlife to flourish.

Further aspirations include improving walking, cycling and public transport connectivity to the Dunsbury Park strategic employment site from the adjacent residential districts and areas of deprivation.

Find out more about Dunsbury Park: https://solentfreeport.com/our-locations/dunsbury-park/