Take a look around the next time you visit a park, campground, or public recreation area. The bench you sit on, the picnic table where families gather, or the trash receptacle near the trailhead likely spends every day of the year outdoors. It faces sun, rain, snow, heavy use, and the occasional abuse that comes with public environments.

For manufacturers of outdoor site furnishings, durability isn’t just a design goal—it’s essential. Products must withstand years, sometimes decades, of exposure while continuing to look good and function safely. That’s why both engineering design and coating technology play a critical role in the longevity of these products.

Companies like RJ Thomas Mfg. Co., makers of Pilot Rock Park, Street, and Camp Site Products, design their furniture specifically for these demanding environments. Coatings such as IFS PuroPlaz thermoplastic powder are a key part of making that durability possible.

The Reality of Outdoor Public Spaces

Unlike indoor furniture or architectural components, park and recreation products face a uniquely challenging set of conditions.

They must perform reliably despite:

• Constant exposure to UV, rain, snow, and moisture
• Temperature swings across seasons
• High daily usage from the public
• Potential vandalism or impact damage
• Limited maintenance resources from facility managers

Because of this, outdoor furnishings must be engineered to survive long-term environmental exposure while maintaining their appearance and structural integrity.

That philosophy is central to the design approach at RJ Thomas.

“Our outdoor site furnishings are specifically designed for long-term use in exterior environments and are expected to perform year-round while exposed to weather, UV, moisture, and heavy public use,” explains Adam Thomas, VP of RJ Thomas Mfg.. “The thermoplastic coating plays a critical role in protecting these components and extending the service life of the product in demanding outdoor applications.”

Across their product range—Pilot Rock benches, picnic tables, and trash receptacles—many components are coated with IFS PuroPlaz thermoplastic powder, including expanded steel, perforated steel, and formed steel parts.

Designing Outdoor Furniture That Lasts

RJ Thomas has built its reputation on products that perform reliably in the field. Their Pilot Rock brand is widely used in parks, campgrounds, and public spaces across the United States.

The company focuses heavily on durability, thoughtful engineering, and long-term usability.

“We really aim to stand apart from the competition, through a strong focus on quality, durability, and thoughtful design,” Thomas explains. “We give extraordinary consideration to the needs of facility managers who rely on our products to perform reliably in high-use public spaces.”

Structural details and connection assemblies are carefully designed for stability and ease of installation. Materials are selected to withstand environmental exposure, while finishes are chosen to perform, look good and minimize maintenance over the life of the product.

Coating performance is a major part of that equation.

Why Thermoplastic Powder Coatings Are Well Suited for Outdoor Furnishings

Over the years, RJ Thomas has evaluated a variety of coating technologies.

“Through experience, we’ve found that thermoplastic coating provides a superior finish for outdoor site furnishings,” Thomas continues.

Three key benefits drive that decision.

Exceptional Durability

Outdoor furniture experiences frequent impact, abrasion, and exposure to the elements. Thermoplastic coatings create a thick, resilient protective layer that resists corrosion, the elements, and wear.

Repairability

Public infrastructure inevitably encounters damage over time. Thermoplastic coatings offer the ability to easily repair affected areas without compromising overall coating performance.

This can extend the lifespan of equipment and reduce the need for full replacement.

Comfortable, User-Friendly Surfaces

Outdoor furniture also needs to be right for the people using it. Thermoplastic coatings provide a beautiful, comfortable surface that works well in public environments.

Why RJ Thomas Selected IFS PuroPlaz

While thermoplastic technology provides the foundation, the specific coating formulation matters as well. For RJ Thomas, IFS PuroPlaz thermoplastic powder has proven to deliver both manufacturing consistency and long-term field performance.

“Since implementing PuroPlaz thermoplastic coating, we’ve experienced a highly reliable product that performs consistently in both application and long-term field use.”

From a production standpoint, the coating applies easily and produces a uniform finish.

In the field, superb durability has reinforced their confidence in the coating’s performance.

“It has proven to be one of the best-performing and most resilient coatings we’ve used on our outdoor products.” states Thomas.

Color matching has also been an important advantage.

He continue, “The IFS Coatings’ color-matching capabilities have been a significant advantage. The ability to achieve consistent, accurate colors across product lines helps us meet customer expectations and maintain brand standards.”

Durability That Supports Sustainability

For RJ Thomas, sustainability is extremely important. It’s also closely tied to longevity and lifecycle performance. Products that last longer require fewer repairs, less maintenance, and less frequent replacement.

“Our approach to sustainability focuses on building products that last for decades in demanding outdoor environments,” Thomas explains.

“The use of PuroPlaz thermoplastic coating supports this goal by providing exceptional durability and corrosion resistance, which helps extend the service life of our products.”

Repairability further reduces waste and maintenance demands.

The result is outdoor equipment that can remain in service for many years with a significantly reduced environmental impact.

Products You’ll Find Across the Country

One of the most interesting things about RJ Thomas products is how widely they are used.

Many people encounter them without even realizing it.

“The most common story that comes up in regards to our product line is that we are literally found everywhere,” laughs Thomas.

Their Pilot Rock products appear in parks, campgrounds, and public spaces throughout the United States.

“From Dry Tortuga National Park in the Florida Keys to Paxson Lake in Alaska, customers love sharing product pics ‘found in the wild’.”

These real-world environments are the ultimate proving ground for both the product design and the coating system protecting it.

Built for the Real World

Outdoor furniture has a tough job. It must endure years of weather, heavy use, and unpredictable conditions while still delivering a safe, attractive experience for the public.

By combining thoughtful engineering from with durable thermoplastic powder coatings, RJ Thomas park and recreation equipment can meet those demands.

The result is something many visitors may never think about—but rely on every time they sit down at a picnic table, relax on a park bench, or enjoy a day outdoors.