17 10 - Aqua Pool
T H E V O I C E O F T H E I N D U ST RY F O R 5 1 Y E A R S / J u n e 2 9, 2 0 1 2 / Vo l u m e 5 1 / N u m b e r 1 2 / 9. 0 0SANDSPA INCLS , LLCOOLS INC.E POODP, LLCPATIOWINRNL&THEOOSOUAPAQUASPOOLS AND SPSOUTHMONO26127C.TS INMENC.VIRONBUILDERS INTIESPOOAMBACKYARD.INCLSOOL ENENIOLSPOPOOL& OMESD3SPAS INWORANPRS&LSCYOLSSPAATEPONDAQUSOLC.ALSAMS INSONOOEPSLLIAOLS &OOL2528ITE OLSE GUNUN PSTOMZAG38AMITHCLAS& SP44IARGEOOLPORIVTASICASRDACKYL BASEAGRKELSOOPAYABMPOLSD POANVSIOMISSWAN POOLSLS &OOSISPACORINC.CON SION POOLSC.OLS INMISOGTON PBARRINSOLUTIONSADAMS POOLNC.PLLEYSHORNG SSUNSET POOLS INC.46EJAMPLATINUMRISILSPOOBLUESON&SPURYEAR CUSTOM POOLSSTRIESAAQU24AASOOLS & SPSINDUSHASTASOLPOPREMIER P.MARYLAND POOLS INC.BURTONYFFEOTA’S TDROLSHAH PORICATECUQEASURPLEAOOLSPOOL &CLNELER PMANCE23SROUPPERFOR1021OLSMARQUISSTOM POK CUC.HAUN POOLCRAFT19GORDOOLS INSBEND4822LA GOLS BY LEW AKIN45CODY POOLS.SPAC.N PORTSOROBEINCS&INOLSOLRTORELOCEAN QUEST PO6LSC.RIVER47OOILDN INJ. TO49APBUSF FU1150MIOLN-S918POESIGOLLS UI820LOEBS 13BLK PONVOOEBRROS1417322
FTPOOLSSWANS INCOOL.MARQUISE POOLS, LLCHAUKCUSTSOUOMTHEPOORNLS , LWINLCDPOOLS INC.LS INC.CONCORD POOLS & SPASOSON POROBERT23MEJANELSUPAKINSHORE OLPOOS&RSLSINC.SOOOLZASPACODYPPOSPAS INC.DUITHND36STOM28S INSTAINCUALS37OOOLS35OOLKERPR PO8AMERIV423938UN PISTDLE940GRPRSAN41GEENDC.ERB POOLS IN.RIVLS INCIONN POOINGTOBARRCLUTIONS43GIAORSICASOOL SOLTAOOLS &SHAMISSSOLADAMS P45LOPONOSUNSET POOLS INC.OMOGEREMIA POOLS INC.SISPAOOLSINCBACL EN.VIROKYANMERDNTSAMINTERCENIINC.OASTATIESL POOL & SPABUILDERS INC.POPOAYBAMPUNITE PNG SOLS&OLS27PLATINUM POOLSSOUTHSRISIOSIMIS5OOLSPQUATECHAMAILLUIOEY PLSPOOPURYEAR CUSTOM POOLSPATPOOL &ALLNV26PLS AND TON LC.47442119422L & SPA INOCEAN QUEST POOLS BY LEW46OK POOLLAMARYLAND POOLS INC.10S493SPA.RTOREANCE POO48INCILDPIARN26 Pool & Spa News June 29, 2012 www.poolspanews.comFUNJ. TOPERFORMOur redesigned awards programcelebrates quality buildersBy Erika Taylor Welcome to the Pool &Spa News Top 50 Builder rankings.I rarely make promotional claims,but in this case I’m confident there’sno other venue honoring pool companies with the attention, care andcomprehensive scoring system usedin the our redesigned award program.While redesigning the Top 50,I spoke with dozens of industrymembers to determine the mostOFBU&OLSPOTop50ESIGOLIFCAA Viewfrom the11SPASLDN-OLSOLS &OOSPOIER NASMO17SE141311520LOEBS GORDON POOLCRA2187343233www.poolspanews.com Pool & Spa News June 29, 2012 27
28ment of our ranking mechanism.Second, a high dollar figure actually is asymbol of something larger.A business with a lot of revenue requiresthe owner to keep many more balls in the airthan one with less earnings. Larger companies generally have a higher number of digs,which means more sales calls, bids, scheduling, purchases, budgets, staff, planning, strategy and marketing. Doing those things wellis the earmark of a successful business, andthe Top 50 celebrates success.But a strong bottom line is only part ofthe picture.Stay with me now — recently I purchaseda pair of pants from Ann Taylor (a hugely successful retailer) only to have the zipper breakalmost as soon as I wore them. A similar incident happened with one of Ann’s sweaters.If a company skimps on quality, the result willbe less business over time, and we wanted tocapture that fact in our Top 50 rankings.To accomplish that, I racked my brainsfor a way of judging each builder’s workmanship and adherence to scheduling, butCircle 15 on Postage-Free CardPHOTO BY DENISE BAKERobjective and accurate way possible torate builders.With their help, we developed a sixpronged scoring template that I believe isa powerful indicator of a company’s overallquality. Here’s a breakdown of how it works.Though construction revenue is no longer the only component used to rank theTop 50, it’s still the largest single piece ofthe equation. To be honest, part of me stillthinks this is unfair. I know dozens of exemplary pool builders whose businesses are toosmall to make the list using this model, yetdon’t they deserve recognition, too? What ifa given builder is in Michigan, and thereforebuilds fewer pools — is it fair to punish thembecause of where their firm is located?Yet after giving it some thought, I realized my reasoning was flawed.First of all, at a basic level, makingmoney is the primary reason we all work.No one enters this business to give poolsaway for free. Revenue is the cornerstoneof every pool and spa business, so it standsto reason that it also should be a key ele-
eventually scrapped that plan as being unrealistic. Instead, we devised a way to judgestaffing, and made that the second largestcomponent of a company’s overall score. Thelogic here is that if a pool builder is seriousabout proper training, his or her investmentwill clearly show in the final product.We awarded a smaller number of pointsto builders with longtime employees.Next we looked at a less tangible aspectof what it means to be at the “top.” To accomplish this, we created a sort of citizenshipcomponent composed of a builder’s membership in industry associations, nonindustrygroups and a separate community servicescore. While I can’t say belonging to a tradegroup or local BBB contributes directly to abuilder’s business, I do believe it helps theentire industry grow and should be rewarded.In scoring this section, I was pleased by thelarge number of builders who are members ofmultiple organizations. I was also amazed, andmoved, by the commitment these buildersshow to their communities.Indeed, this section was one of the more30difficult to score because so many buildershave woven charitable activities directly intotheir corporate culture.The next category ranked the Top 50Builders’ online efforts, and included thestrength of their Websites and social mediapresence. Sites were awarded points for completeness, design and functionality. ExtraConstruction revenueis no longer the onlycomponent used torank the Top 50.points were given for a firm’s regular participation on Facebook and other social media.Personally, I remain skeptical that Facebookprovides enough ROI for pool companies todevote a lot of resources there. But the jury’sstill out. Meanwhile, I believe participationon Facebook and other social media is aCircle 36 on Postage-Free Cardmeasure of a company’s ability to embracenew marketing outlets.Finally, there were the referencechecks. As part of the application process,we asked builders to supply us with two different types of industry-related companieswe could call. First, we wanted firms wherethe pool builder is the customer, such as tilecompanies and plasterers. We talked withthose folks about the reliability of eachbuilder in terms of scheduling and payingbills. Second, we asked for a list of firmsthat employ the pool company, includinghome builders and landscape architects.The idea here was to get a sense of eachcontractor’s professionalism and ability todeliver what was promised on time.We didn’t publish the reference scores forconfidentiality reasons, but it was an effectiveway to learn more about each firm.On a final note, though this was trulya group effort, the redesigned Top 50 benefited greatly from the tireless work, insightand expertise of our design and constructioneditor, Rebecca Robledo. n
TOP 50 BUILDERS1AnEclecticMixWith the new judging criteria forthe Pool & Spa News Top 50,a mixed group of builderprofiles are representedBy Rebecca Robledo It’s been quite a ride.Since its inception in 2003, the Pool & Spa News Top 50Builders list has been determined solely by residential construction revenue. In this, the ninth year, we have decidedto make the list more indicative of the best of the best bychanging the judging criteria to include, in addition to revenue, factors such as staff training, Web presence, industryinvolvement, professional references and community service.Many of this year’s Top 50 Builders are familiar names,with 36 companies carrying over from past lists. But the additional criteria have allowed 14 new builders to join this elitegroup. And several companies placed in the upper ranks whenthey may not even have obtained a spot on the list under theold format. In fact, even in the top 10, companies that generated less than 4 million in residential construction revenueco-mingle with firms that did significantly more business.Here, we examine who’s on the list and take a look attheir strengths.POWER GROUP: In the past, Top 50 winners were chosen based onresidential construction revenue. But this year’s new judging criteria include factors such as staff training, industry participation, Webpresence, community service and references. The chart shows eachcompany’s total score on a scale of 0 to 100, as well as their rankingsin each category against other builders. Often, individual scores weretied. Reference scores, which remain confidential, are not shown.32 Pool & Spa News June 29, 2012 647484950WHO’S ON THE LISTCATEGORIESCOMPANY NAMEOVERALLSCORERESIDENTIALCONSTRUCTIONREVENUE NGCOMMUNITYSERVICERANKINGPREMIER POOLS & SPAS*SEASONAL WORLDCONCORD POOLS & SPASSWAN POOLSPULLIAM AQUATECH POOLSSHASTA INDUSTRIESRIVERBEND SANDLER POOLSGEREMIA POOLS INC.CODY POOLSAQUA POOL & PATIOJ. TORTORELLA GROUPPOOLS OF FUN INC.MOREHEAD POOLSNVBLU INC. POOL DESIGN-BUILDCALIFORNIA POOLS*PATIO POOLS & SPASROSEBROOK POOLS INC.ROBERTSON POOLS INC.LOEBS GORDON POOLCRAFTMARQUISE POOLS, LLCHAUK CUSTOM POOLS, LLCSOUTHERNWIND POOLS INC.CLAFFEY POOLSNEJAME & SONSRICHARD’S TOTAL BACKYARD SOLUTIONSPLEASURE AQUATECH POOLSPURYEAR CUSTOM POOLSPLATINUM POOLSSOUTH SHORE GUNITE POOLS & SPAS INC.RISING SUN POOLS INC.MONOGRAM CUSTOM POOLS & HOMESPRISTINE POOLS AND SPAS, LLCKEITH ZARS POOLSRIVER POOLS AND SPASMISSION POOLS INC.BARRINGTON POOLS INC.ADAMS POOL SOLUTIONSSUNSET POOLS INC.INTERCOASTAL POOL & SPA BUILDERS INC.POOL ENVIRONMENTS INC.BACKYARD AMENITIESCYPRESS CUSTOM POOLS INC.GEORGIA CLASSIC POOLTAMPA BAY POOLSMISSION VALLEY POOLS & SPAS INCAQUA BLUE POOLSBURTON POOLS AND SPASMARYLAND POOLS INC.OCEAN QUEST POOLS BY LEW AKINSPERFORMANCE POOL & SPA 121091059101111101110* DENOTES A COMPANY WITH LICENSEE LOCATIONSPremier Pools & SpasHeadquarters:Rancho Cordova, Calif.Area Served: MultipleHighlights: Withbranches in 16 statesand reportedly thePAUL PORTER first and only U.S. poolbuilder to enter the market in India, thefirm completed more excavations lastyear than any 2012 Top 50 Builder.Seasonal WorldHeadquarters:Clarksburg, N.J.Area Served: Central NJHighlights: The onlyNew Jersey-basedbuilder to join the list,TONY SCHIAVONE the firm has an extensive training program and a social mediacampaign that includes sweepstakesprizes such as a cruise.Concord Pools & SpasHeadquarters:Latham, N.Y.Area Served: NortheastHighlights: One ofthe most reputablevinyl-liner builders inMICHAEL GIOVANONE the country, the firmis a multiple-year Masters of Designwinner and actively supports numerous charities.Swan PoolsHeadquarters:Lake Forest, Calif.Area Served: CaliforniaHighlights: Thanks to acomprehensive trainingprogram that incorpoROBERT VENNES rates landscape design,and an average employee tenure of 17.5years, this firm was a top scorer in thestaffing category.Pulliam Aquatech PoolsHeadquarters:Fort Worth, TexasArea Served:DFW, HoustonHighlights: Co-ownerDebra Smith is anDEBRA SMITH APSP Certified Building Professional and active in manyindustry and charitable organizations.Pulliam has been in business since 1916.www.poolspanews.com Pool & Spa News June 29, 2012 33
Geremia Pools Inc.Headquarters:Sacramento, Calif.Area Served: NorthernCaliforniaHighlights: One ofthe country’s oldestMIKE GEREMIA pool builders, the firmsupports disadvantaged youths andrecently refurbished a pool for theSt. Sava Mission Foundation. OwnerMike Geremia also is active in manyindustry groups.Cody PoolsHeadquarters:Georgetown, TexasArea Served: DFW,HoustonHighlights: The company, which tookMIKE CHURCH second place for itssocial media campaign, is a sponsorof multiple athletic organizations,including the San Antonio SpursNBA team.Aqua Pool & PatioHeadquarters:East Windsor, Conn.Area Served: New EnglandHighlights: New to thelist this year, the firmMICHAEL provides extensiveGIANNAMOREtraining for staff. Aquais also a Masters of Design winner.34 Pool & Spa News June 29, 2012 www.poolspanews.comRESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION REVENUE Though not the only deciding factor, this figure still counted significantly when selecting the Top 50.All told, these firms generated residential construction revenue of 494.8million. New work accounted for 433.5 million of that amount. The figureincludes renovation.POAQUA& PPOOLATIOSWANOLSORDCONC SPAS&POOLSC. 66,375,351 16,775,000 9,575,529 12,634,365 11,644,859 49,000,000 26,050,000 43,828,25 25,973,441 5,803,000 20,534,000 10,900,000 7,839,489 5,400,000 57,672,736 19,243,504 7,928,892 16,733,000 3,530,762 7,400,000 4,549,670 4,414,047 20,868,745 6,700,000 7,000,000 3,700,000 7,250,000 17,270,796 2,039,000 9,181,950 4,500,000 8,014,000 29,600,000 4,033,066 22,435,000 12,358,000 24,140,828 4,598,749 4,250,000 7,037,065 3,498,000 6,817,140 2,500,000 8,439,509 7,486,000 7,681,695 11,400,000 11,263,980 5,632,630 84531145511245701042517010284991985164WHO’S ON THE LISTREUNPREMIER POOLS & SPAS 64,175,351SEASONAL WORLD 13,050,000CONCORD POOLS & SPAS 6,572,250SWAN POOLS 12,634,365PULLIAM AQUATECH POOLS 8,710,076SHASTA INDUSTRIES 25,200,000RIVERBEND SANDLER POOLS 18,702,000GEREMIA POOLS INC. 3,159,417CODY POOLS 25,210,622AQUA POOL & PATIO 3,554,000J. TORTORELLA GROUP 7,627,000POOLS OF FUN INC. 5,709,100MOREHEAD POOLS 5,064,841NVBLU INC. POOL DESIGN-BUILD 2,500,000CALIFORNIA POOLS 32,089,700PATIO POOLS & SPAS 7,667,233ROSEBROOK POOLS INC. 6,988,744ROBERTSON POOLS INC. 12,189,000LOEBS GORDON POOLCRAFT 3,504,924MARQUISE POOLS, LLC 7,400,000HAUK CUSTOM POOLS, LLC 4,532,359SOUTHERNWIND POOLS INC. 3,961,100CLAFFEY POOLS 18,018,402NEJAME & SONS 5,600,000RICHARD’S TOTAL BACKYD. SOLUT. 5,150,000PLEASURE AQUATECH POOLS 3,600,000PURYEAR CUSTOM POOLS 7,115,000PLATINUM POOLS 17,270,796SOUTH SHORE GUNITE 7,210,000RISING SUN POOLS INC. 4,495,300MONOGRAM CUSTOM POOLS 2,550,000PRISTINE POOLS AND SPAS 5,150,000KEITH ZARS POOLS 21,800,000RIVER POOLS AND SPAS 3,812,331MISSION POOLS INC. 10,418,000BARRINGTON POOLS INC. 8,167,000ADAMS POOL SOLUTIONS 22,810,287SUNSET POOLS INC. 4,598,749INTERCOASTAL POOL & SPA 4,535,000POOL ENVIRONMENTS INC. 5,364,000BACKYARD AMENITIES 3,498,000CYPRESS CUSTOM POOLS INC. 6,719,590GEORGIA CLASSIC POOL 2,500,000TAMPA BAY POOLS 7,999,958MISSION VALLEY POOLS & SPAS 5,922,000AQUA BLUE POOLS 5,112,024BURTON POOLS AND SPAS 5,866,000MARYLAND POOLS INC. 11,263,980OCEAN QUEST BY LEW AKINS 3,790,775PERFORMANCE POOL & SPA 484950TOTAL REVENUESORiverbend Sandler PoolsHeadquarters:Plano, TexasArea Served: DFWThe firm rankedamong the top 10companies in fourCHARLES BARNES different categories:total revenue, number of pools built,Web presence, and residential construction revenue.1POOLEXCAVATIONSMIAPOOLOLShasta IndustriesHeadquarters: PhoenixArea Served: ArizonaHighlights: The firmemploys 280 people,more than any otherbuilder on the list,ED “SKIP” AST and completes muchof its construction using in-housestaff.TOTAL RESIDENTIALCONSTRUCTION REVENUECOMPANY NAMESIPOWHO’S ON THE LISTNC.TOP 5 STAFFING After residential construction revenue, staff tenureand training had the most impact in determining the Top 50 ranking.The group reported an average employee tenure of 9.5 years, withConcord Pools recording the longest, at 21 years.Morehead PoolsHeadquarters:Shreveport, La.Area Served: Louisiana,ArkansasHighlights: According toits Website, the firm isMIKE MOORE the only pool builder inits region to be an APSP Certified Building Professional and employ CertifiedBuilding and Service professionals.NVblu Inc. PoolDesign-BuildHeadquarters:Chantilly, Va.Area Served: Metro D.C.area, West VirginiaHighlights: Ranking highJACK A. CROWDER in the social media category, the firm has been “liked” by morethan 1,153 Facebook followers.Patio Pools & SpasHeadquarters:Tucson, Ariz.Area Served:Southern ArizonaHighlights: One of thefew builders to haveGENE RAGEL made the Top 50 listmultiple times and also receive a Masters of Design Award, the firm rankedeighth in renovation revenue.34%66%J. Tortorella GroupHeadquarters:Southampton, N.Y.Area Served: New YorkHighlights: The company, which ranks secondin community service,JOHN TORTORELLA supports environmental preservation by participating in anumber of related organizations. Thefounder also started a company thatdistributes alternative energy products.At least oneemployee withcertificationNo employeeswith certificationCERTIFICATIONS Having a number of employees who hold certificationswas looked upon especially favorably in the ranking. Of this group, 17 hadat least one staff member certified by an industry organization. Examplesinclude APSP, Genesis 3, the National Plasterers Council and the AmericanConcrete Institute.Continued on page 38Rosebrook Pools Inc.Headquarters:Libertville, Il.Area Served: ChicagolandHighlights: Proud tobe identified as oneof the oldest poolJAMISON ORI builders in the Midwest, the company has the best Webpresence of any of this year’s Top 50Builders.www.poolspanews.com Pool & Spa News June 29, 2012 35
Top 50 Charts cont’d from page 35WHO’S ON THE LISTRobertson Pools Inc.Headquarters:Coppell, TexasArea Served: NorthTexas, OklahomaHighlights: The company’s president alsoRON ROBERTSON serves as mayor ofBartonville, Texas.ED NEJAMENejame & SonsHeadquarters:Danbury, Conn.Area Served:NortheastHighlights: The companyhas been family- ownedand operated since 1921.38 Pool & Spa News June 29, 2012 www.poolspanews.comGENESIS 365PARAMOUNT ADVISORY COMMITTEE ENTERPRISE (PACE)4INDEPENDENT POOL & SPA SERVICE ASSOCIATION (IPSSA)4CALIFORNIA SPA & POOL INDUSTRY EDUCATION COUNCIL (SPEC)4AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE (ACI)4AQUATIC PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION COUNCIL (APEC)2AMERICAN SHOTCRETE ASSOCIATION (ASA)2UNITED POOL & SPA ASSOCIATION (UPSA)2FLORIDA SWIMMING POOL ASSOCIATION (FSPA)INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT Trade group participation carried weight inthe scoring, though not as much as some of the other categories. Currently, 43 of the Top 50 are members of the Association of Pool & SpaProfessionals. “I don’t make any money or get any leads from doing it,”Aqua Pool & Patio’s Michael Giannamore says. “But, hopefully, I amhelping build a better pool industry and therefore [it’s] benefiting me.”3510543222OTHERNATIONAL FIREPROTECTION ELATEDAGENCIES2532LANDSCAPEASSOCIATIONS30MISC. BUSINESS GROUPSClaffey PoolsHeadquarters:Southlake, TexasArea Served: DFWHighlights: One of thelarger area builders,the firm is active in aCHARLIE CLAFFEY number of charities,including the Make-A-Wish Foundation.NORTHEAST SPA & POOL ASSOCIATION (NESPA)7CHAMBER OFCOMMERCESouthernwind Pools Inc.Headquarters:McKinney, TexasArea Served: DFWHighlights: The firm hasbeen named repeatedly on the Dallas BusiJOHN VERSFELT ness Journal’s “Best OfDallas” list of preferred pool builders.NATIONAL PLASTERERS COUNCIL (NPC)12Loebs Gordon PoolcraftHeadquarters:East Hampton, N.Y.Area Served: NortheastHighlights: The firm, anewcomer to Top 50,launched the groupBlueSquare Design Inc.Marquise Pools, LLCHeadquarters:Oak Ridge, TexasArea Served: HoustonHighlights: Chris Smithholds degrees in landscape architectureCHRIS D. SMITH and horticulture, andis an ambassador to the MontgomeryCounty BBB Advisory Board.BUYING GROUPSHOME BUILDERS/CONTRACTORS ASSNS.in April 2011.ASSOCIATION OF POOL & SPA PROFESSIONALS (APSP)15BETTER BUSINESS BUREAUDENNIS LOEBS43INVOLVEMENT90OUTSIDE INVOLVEMENT The Top 50 join groups outside the industryas well. Most popular organizations are the Better Business Bureau, with32 belonging. Home-building and general contracting groups come next,with 23 members. Chambers of Commerce also place high. “I never go toa Chamber function where someone doesn’t come up to me and say, ‘I’mlooking for a pool. I need to call you,’ ” says Debra Smith of Pulliam Pools.
COMMUNITY SERVICE40CPO ONO COLS R& DSPASSouth Shore GunitePools & Spas Inc.Headquarters:Chelmsford, Mass.Area Served:New EnglandHighlights: The comROBERT GUARINOpany, which operatesan average of 70 trucks on the roadeach day, ranked third in commercialconstruction revenue among thisyear’s Top 50 Builders.PPO LATO INLS UM45TOP 5 COMMUNITY SERVICE Thoughthis played a lesser role in ranking theTop 50, the idea of giving back is close tothese builders’ hearts.Many donategenerously of theirAORELLtime and money,.J TORT GROUPwhether it be building a pool or participating in a charitable event. Severalcompany presidents say it has seepedinto their corporate cultures. “A lot ofthe causes out there are aligned withwhat we believe in as a company,”says Paul Porter ofPremier Pools & Spas.SOLPO ASE R D SPRIV ANRichard’s Total BackyardSolutionsHeadquarters:HoustonArea Served: HoustonHighlights: The firm,which has appearedJ R RICHARDon PSN’s Top 50Builders list consecutively since 2008,offers customers incentives such asa 30-day build guarantee that paysthem 100 for each day the deadlineis missed.PUAQUALLIAMTEPOOCL HSWHO’S ON THE LISTTHE CONTRIBUTORS The Top 50 areoverwhelmingly involved in charities,with 45 donating to a cause. Athleticprograms are particularly popular.Circle 101 on Postage-Free Card
NEW TO THE LISTWHO’S ON THE LISTFRESH FACES While 36 members of this elite group haveremained from prior years, the new criteria made wayfor 14 new companies to be selected.COMPANY NAME (in alphabetical order)1234567AQUA BLUE POOLSAQUA POOL & PATIOGEORGIA CLASSIC POOLHAUK CUSTOM POOLS, LLCLOEBS GORDON POOLCRAFTMARQUISE POOLS, LLCMONOGRAM CUSTOM POOLS,HOMES891011121314NVBLU INC. POOL DESIGN-BUILDPLEASURE AQUATECH POOLSPOOL ENVIRONMENTS INC.PRISTINE POOLS AND SPAS, LLCPURYEAR CUSTOM POOLSRIVER POOLS AND SPASSUNSET POOLS INC.Monogram Custom Pools& HomesHeadquarters:Coopersburg, Pa.Area Served: Northeast,PennsylvaniaHighlights: The firm’sTONY CACIOLO fund-raiser for Hurricane Katrina victims generated 100,000.T J BROWNPristine Pools and Spas, LLCHeadquarters:Meridian, IdahoArea Served: Idaho,northern UtahHighlights: The first-timeTop 50 Builder is theonly one from Idaho.Keith Zars PoolsHeadquarters:San AntonioArea Served: San AntonioHighlights: The builderhas the second largeststaff among this year’sKEITH ZARS honorees, with an average tenure of 10 years.River Pools and SpasHeadquarters:Warsaw, Va.Area Served:Virginia, Md.Highlights: The firm,which is exceptionallyJASON HUGHES active in communityservice, has helped its staff pay for college tuition.Mission Pools Inc.Headquarters:Escondido, Calif.Area Served:Southern CaliforniaHighlights: The firm isknown for its sizableBRUCE DUNN commercial operationand seasoned in-house staff.DALE OVERSON42Circle 3 on Postage-Free CardBarrington Pools Inc.Headquarters:Barrington, Ill.Area Served: ChicagoHighlights: This company also is known forhigh-end projects andan in-house staff.
WEB PRESENCE1ROSEBROOK POOLS INC.2PULLIAM AQUATECH POOLS3PLATINUM POOLS4J. TORTORELLA GROUP5POOL ENVIRONMENTS INC.Sunset Pools Inc.Headquarters:Katy, TexasArea Served: HoustonHighlights: The company is a newcomerto the Top 50 list thisADAM TRAUGOTT year after operatingfor just over a decade.TOP 5 WEB SITES This category rated builders’ sites on design,functionality, a compelling company history and easy-to-use galleries. Standouts include Rosebrook Pools’ dynamic page openers, whichshow drawings transform into real-life projects, and Platinum Pools’construction videos set to upbeat country music. The site also had a“browse by price” feature that shows examples of what users can get atcertain price points.40SOCIAL NETWORKERS Forty firms haveFacebook pages, with 33 updating regularly.In addition, 24 companies are on Twitter,and 17 utilize other social media, such asinstructional YouTube videos.COMPANY NAME12345678910SHASTA INDUSTRIESCODY POOLSPOOLS OF FUN INC.NVBLU INC. POOL DESIGN-BUILDHAUK CUSTOM POOLS, LLCPLATINUM POOLSRISING SUN POOLS INC.RIVER POOLS AND SPASBARRINGTON POOLS INC.AQUA BLUE TH CAROLINAVIRGINIAILLINOISSOUTH CAROLINATOP 10 SOCIAL NETWORKERS In scoring this category, social mediaparticipation was considered a sign that companies are pushing the envelope in marketing their brands. Highest scorers tended to not only haveFacebook pages and Twitter accounts, but also update them regularly.Cody Pools, for instance, sends clients progress photos through Facebook so friends can view them as well. Overall Web efforts appear to bepaying off, generating a reported 20- to 60 percent of these firms’ leads.44Circle 116 on Postage-Free CardWHO’S ON THE LISTIntercoastal Pool & SpaBuilders Inc.Headquarters:Melbourne, Fla.Area Served: CentralFloridaHighlights: Half of theTHOMAS ARNAULT builder’s business in2011 came from renovation.Backyard AmenitiesHeadquarters:Baytown, TexasArea Served: HoustonHighlights: A previous Top 50 honoree,the builder also hasBRAD STEPHENS received two HoustonBetter Business Bureau Torch Awards.Cypress Custom Pools Inc.Headquarters:Cypress, TexasArea Served: HoustonHighlights: The firm,which made its Top 50debut in 2011, is a strongBRIAN WHITLOCK supporter of educational programs and local athletic teams.Tampa Bay PoolsHeadquarters:Brandon, Fla.Area Served:Greater TampaHighlights: The firm’spresident is a boardKEN McKENNA JR member of FSPA andpresident of its Tampa Bay Chapter.Mission ValleyPools & Spas Inc.Headquarters: San DiegoArea Served: San DiegoHighlights: Supports theMitchell Thorp FoundaROBERT tion, which helps famiCUNNINGHAM lies of children whosuffer from life-threatening conditions.Continued on page 98Circle 50 on Postage-Free Card45
132CLI F.Committedto Customers4STOMK CU LCHAU LS, L SPOELOINA, TEXAADASPLE OL MSAS UT POAN ITO ON OLN,CA SR ISPOOING SUNR AL E L S I N CIG H ,N.C .TOP 10 CUSTOMERSERVICE FIRMSFOThe best customer service doesn’t come from anysingle principle or practice, but from a set of attitudes46 Pool & Spa News June 29, 2012 www.poolspanews.com10INWEST COVPLATINUMPOOLSHOUSTONAQ PLUA EAM A TE SUN D CH R EEV PILL OEO, IND.POOLFU S OFPL AINN INC.FI E L D, LANSIE95IACALIFORLNSPOO A, CALIF.L TON SPO ME, TEXAOLNANORI PNVC.8.LS6IARG OOLGEOSIC NP, GA.S OCLACANTBy Ben Thomas When it comes to building a successful company, satisfied customers are the single most important component. That’s whybusiness owners pour millions of dollars every year into better understanding and pleasing their clients.As part of our Top 50 program, Pool & Spa News commissioned athird-party company, Atlanta-based GuildQuality, to perform customer-service surveys for all entrants who wished to participate. The firm,which specializes in contractors, contacted former clients of the builders who had opted in, and asked their impressions of each company’sexpertise, customer service and professionalism.The results were interesting. While the highest-scoring firm,Adams Pool Solutions, is located in Northern California, seven of thetop 10 were in the South. This over-representation of one region speakshighly of old-fashioned Southern hospitality. Also interesting was thefact that there was no discernible relationship between high customerservice scores and the size of a given business or its years in operation.The reason for this is clear when speaking with these companyowners. Rather than discussing complex formulas, many of them citedsimple, traditional techniques as the secrets behind great service. Forexample, one element listed as crucial to success was a willingness topick up the phone and talk. E-mail and texting are great for quickcommunication, many say, but there’s just no substitute for a phonecall –— or, better yet, an in-person visit.And it’s in tense negotiations that this willingness to communicate becomes most important. It doesn’t take any special commitmentto be friendly to a delightful customer, but a caring mind-set towarddifficult clients can help not only to diffuse volatile situations, but alsoenhance a company’s reputation in unexpected ways.Here, Pool & Spa News speaks with the companies that rankedhighest in GuildQuality’s customer-service survey.SAR OLASERYM PHO, TEXUP O ORTSTT WUC R7www.poolspanews.com Pool & Spa News June 29, 2012 47
Tony Adams,Adams Pool SolutionsIt all comes down to communication. Ihave one number on my business card: mycell number. I’llgive it to anycustomer I meet,and I answer myphone. I answerit Saturday, Sunday — even if I’m in another country. Justanswer your phone; it’s as simple as that.We try to call our customers every day[and] our only policy is, make yourself available. All
cypress custom pools inc. 35.0their strengths. 24 14 5 5 10 georgia classic pool 34.8 50 11 4 1343 5 tampa bay pools 34.4 17 17 3 9 9 mission valley pools & spas inc 34.2 26 12 4 14 10 aqua blue pools 34.1 33 15 5 3 11 burton pools and spas 34.0 27 13 4 11 maryland pools inc. 33.748 13 18 3 10 10
Dawn Roush, Env Mgr 14 Kevin Goodwin, Aqua Bio Spl 13 Bill Keiper, Aqua Bio Spl 13 Sam Noffke, Aqua Bio 12 Lee Schoen, Aqua Bio 11 Elizabeth Stieber, Aqua Bio 11 Kelly Turek, Aqua Bio 12 Chris Vandenberg, EQA 11 Jeff Varricchione, Aqua Bio 12 Matt Wesener, Aqua Bio 11 Marcy Knoll Wilmes, Aqua Bio Spl 13
I2 NWI Sox Fossey I4 Team PA Larcinese J2 NKY Bandits Premier J4 Team Ohio Gray K2 Indy Dreams Gold Lewis K4 Steel City Cyclones Cox L2 Motor City Madness Collins L4 WV Firestix Haynes 9:30 POOL 14UP POOL GAME 1 POOL 14UP POOL GAME 1 POOL 14UP POOL GAME 1 POOL 14UP POOL GAME 1 POOL 14UP POOL GAME 1 POOL 14UP POOL GAME 1 POOL 14UP POOL GAME 1 .
LIMITED WARRANTY Goldline warrants its Aqua Rite, Aqua Rite Pro, Aqua Trol, . This manual assumes that the Aqua Logic has been wired and configured according to the Instal- lation Manual. Aspects of the Aqua Logic that pertain to system setup are not covered in this manual. Automation The AQL-P-4 can control up to 4 high voltage (120/240V) pieces of equipment, up to 3 automatic valve .
Pool deck equipment Pool main drain piping Pool filter system Pool surge tank Pool water treatment equipment Pool area HVAC system This Report provides a summary of concerns noted and improvement considerations. Photographs may be found in Appendix A for reference. Photos 1 and 2 provide an overall view of the pool room.
control design for an indoor swimming pool Pool water temperature The pool water requires to be heated to an acceptable temperature. Within a typical indoor pool, the pool water is normally heated to a temperature between 27 C and 30 C. The majority of the heat loss from the pool water is by evaporation from the pool surface into the pool .
The Aqua-Hot System is powered by TribridHot technology and uses one or a combination of the following heat sources: 1. The Burner: This is the Aqua-Hot’s most powerful heat source. The burner must be on for the Aqua-Hot to pro-vide continuous hot water. The burner must also be on for the Aqua-Hot to provide interior heat. 2.
Aerosol Optical Depth at 0.55 micron MODIS-Terra/Aqua 00.02/02.07 OPS TS Atmospheric Water Vapor (QA-weighted) MODIS-Terra/Aqua 00.02/02.07 OPS TS MODIS-Terra/Aqua 00.02/02.07 OPS TS Cloud Fraction (Day and Night) MODIS-Terra/Aqua 00.02/02.07 OPS TS Cloud Fraction (Day only/Night only)) MODIS-Terra/Aqua 00.02/02.07 OPS TS
provided to Goldline, the manufacturing datecode on the Aqua Rite, Aqua Rite Pro, Aqua Trol, Aqua Logic and Pro Logic electronics unit will be the sole determinant of the date of the initial system installation. For residential installations in USA or Canada: If a product is defective
