SCP UK is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary since being acquired by South Central Pools in the USA in 2008. The company will be marking the special milestone with a prestigious gala dinner to be held in September. SCP UK is part of the Poolcorp family – the largest supplier of outdoor leisure products in the world. Since becoming part of this global brand, SCP UK has grown from strength to strength, offering a wide range of premium-quality swimming pool and spa products.
Jean Louis Albouy, General Manager for SCP Europe, whose own career with the company began in 1999 comments: “In 1998, with a turnover of over €1.8 million, the purchase of Norcal in the UK marked the start of the Poolcorp Group’s arrival in Europe. Acquisitions and organic growth in Europe have brought the Group’s turnover close to €250 million.”
Jean Louis confirmed the company’s ambitions to provide exceptional: – Service to all customers thanks to the support of all supplier partners – Return for all shareholders – Opportunities for all employees “Our group’s areas of coverage are positioned in more than eight major countries on the European market, with more than 18 agencies,”
Jean Louis continues. “We have put in place a growth plan for the next three years covering the whole of Europe. “The plan is underway and will provide SCP UK with significant growth opportunities. It will clearly enhance the customer experience and service value that is essential to us.”
ONE-STOP SHOP
The company’s focus on delivering exceptional customer service and unique product lines that are tailored towards enhancing people’s outdoor living experience has been instrumental in its success. This philosophy has seen SCP UK become a one-stop-shop for everything swimming pool and spa related for both commercial and residential customers.
Milestones for SCP UK include moving into one consolidated distribution centre at Gatwick in 2017, being voted European Sales Centre of the Year in 2021 and thriving during the pandemic as all in the industry reinvented themselves. Dash Ganeson, UK Managing Director, who is into his 20th Year at SCP UK, started in the finance department, taking over as Finance Director and subsequently appointed as MD 10 years ago.
He mentioned the key roles Ian Pratt and himself have played, as company stewards overseeing the succession planning and ensuring talent is retained. “Surviving the severe recession of 1998, we have now built a solid team and a second line management that has a mixture of youth and maturity that can move the company forward,”
Dash comments. “We had the good fortune of having loyal customers that persisted with is through hard times and the past 10 years have been the most successful years for SCP. I believe the next ten will be even better.”
TRUSSON FAMILY
NorCal’s roots are embedded with the Trusson family who, as pool builders, travelled to America looking for pool equipment particularly an automatic pool cleaner, known as “Poolsweep”. At the same time, Bill Trusson met Tony Carr, an engineer who had founded Lacron manufacturing filters. Tricia Carr took over when Tony sadly died quite young.
The sharp-eyed will spot that NorCal is Lacron reversed. As Bob Trusson got a pilot’s licence, he bought a twin engine plane and visited companies in Europe to sell Poolsweep. Over the years, SCP UK has nurtured key relationships with key vendors and this has been the strength of its distribution network and pricing to trade customers.
At its inception Hayward and Pentair have been essential partners and subsequently crucial relationships have been forged to include Maytronics, Haogenplast, and many others allowing SCP UK to be market leaders in innovation and technology. Key growth sectors for SCP UK have been on-site lining for which the company currently have eight teams. The Wellness category has grown from strength to strength with a dealer network across the country and a dedicated team of Wellness specialists in-house.
Recent launches include a new line of PCS pool covers with an install team, advances in heat pump technology, robotic pool cleaners. As well as product, SCP UK has invested in after sales care with a dedicated and experienced Technical Team able to advise and assist customers.
FRONT ROW
Pool & Spa SCENE editor and publisher, Christina Connor is the longest serving journalist in the water leisure sector. By delving into an archive of pictures and reports, she is in a unique position to help report on the anniversary. “What a pleasure and a privilege to be offered a front row seat to witness and report on the transformation of NorCal into SCP UK over the past 25 years,” Christina comments.
“Over those years the team have extended me exclusive access to the business, the team and their valued customers,” she continues. “SCP UK has helped me learn about the market, consistently offering a generous hand, including me in trade events and some unforgettable tours both in Europe and the United States. They have not just helped me with my work but allowed me to forge outstanding friendships. I hope they know how grateful I am.”
The upcoming gala dinner will be a celebration of SCP UK’s journey so far, as well as an opportunity to recognise the company’s loyal customers and staff members who have contributed to its success over the years. The event will provide a platform for guests to network while enjoying the events of the evening.
Dash signs off: “The celebration will serve as a platform to pay tribute to customers and staff members who have contributed to its success so far as we continue to strive towards achieving greater heights in the outdoor leisure industry and enhancing people’s outdoor living experience.”
SCP UK
Tel: +44 (0)1293 817 757
Email. info.uk@scppool.com
www.swimmingpool.eu
