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ALL ROLDECK COVERS are manufactured specifically for individual pool requirements
ALL ROLDECK COVERS are manufactured specifically for individual pool requirements

Knowledge is power when it comes to pool cover sales…
From a modest back garden splash pool to an Olympic proportioned swimming zone – not covering a pool, when it is not in use, is tantamount to pouring liquid gold down the main drain. In today’s energy efficient times – a cardinal sin. Heat loss, solar gain, reducing chemical use, not to mention added safety elements – the key messages for boosting pool cover sales offer a feast of selling opportunities for pool builders and retailers. Priding itself on being the closest supplier to pool builders, PPG believes it serves up a recipe of superior products as an independent supplier. “PPG support the local market with a range of high-quality products, technical support, training courses and an online ordering platform,” says David Sargentson, General Manager at Pollet Pool Group UK & Ireland. “Thanks to the knowledge of our manufacturers we strengthen our experience with distribution of key products.” One of those group manufacturers is Aquadeck, a producer of slatted pool covers. Based in The Netherlands, and now part of the PPG family of companies, Aquadeck has been producing top-quality slatted pool covers with care and craftsmanship for two decades.

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POOL PASSION
Roy Peeters, General Manager at Aquadeck explains the company’s mantre: “We are passionate about swimming pools and we love pool covers. “We see the cover as the most defining part of the pool,” he says. “It puts the finishing touch on a pool and gives gardens extra allure,” continues Roy, who believes every component of a residential pool should contribute to the owners’ expectations of luxury, family time, exercise and relaxation. “Driven by intensive knowledge and years of experience, our engineers look for the best and most attractive materials, develop the smartest designs, and use the safest components,” Aiming to work flawlessly, the Aquadeck® cover aspires to be a treasure pool owners can be proud of year on year. Just like Pollet Pool Group UK & Ireland, the Aquadeck® team aims to partner closely with the pool builders. The company’s catalogue clearly describes the choices, installation options and accessories white its smart Aquadeck® OrderTool minimises the chance of mistakes. “Aquadeck® is always ready to do a bit more, we offer our partners extensive training and an expert team that is always ready with advice and support,” says Roy. “Service and flexibility are our top priority. These values are what we stand for, because they are essential for continuing to provide the best support to our pool builders.” Currently supplying up to 2000 swimming pool covers every year across Europe, the Ocea brand is one of the major players in the market supplying up to 200 customers in the UK alone. “We used to say that covers can be operated at the touch of a button – now that tends to be at the command of a smartphone or iPad,” comments Alan Thorne, Managing Director of Ocea UK. “While the bells and whistles continue to launch into cyberspace; the core engineering skills involved in the reliable mechanical movement of the automatic cover is still the fundamental consideration when choosing a reliable supplier.” The original Belgian factory and headquarters has undertaken a restructure to better serve clients across mainland Europe and the rest of world.

THE NEWEST PRODUCT to the DEL range is the TIXIT pool cover, Available through Golden Coast.
THE NEWEST PRODUCT to the DEL range is the TIXIT pool cover, Available through Golden Coast.

QUICK SHIFT
Major markets include Belgium, Switzerland and France with plans for expansion in the United States, Russia and South Africa. Meanwhile, working from a new manufacturing base in Witney, Ocea UK has halved the lead times for their tailor-made cover system from four to two weeks. The most popular lines of stock are now being held in the UK making servicing and after sales even more time efficient. A new, on-site training room is helping to support trade customers and also acts as a Showroom for end users. “These changes enable the company to build proactively rather than just respond reactively and gives us increased capacity to expand our core customer network,” explains UK director, Alan Thorne. “Ultimately, this will mean offering a speedier service to more customers without compromising quality.” “We are relishing being able to focus on what Ocea does best and make it even better with complete management from point of order to delivery,” he adds. Alan warns there are plenty of banana skins lurking for pool builders. “As tempting as it sounds; we would urge pool builders to see the value of opting for a tried and tested supplier, like Ocea, that invest in training and also offer complete design and installation back up,” he urges. “Selling a package of problems by going too cheap does not make commercial sense in the short or long term with clients who just want the reassurance of a quality product that is built to last,” he adds.

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PRODUCT POWER
Golden Coast provides training days and factory visits for trade customers, giving them a chance to get to know the products and see how they work. It improves their understanding and inspires the same passion for the products that we have, which in turn bolsters their approach to sales. Golden Coast is the exclusive UK distributor of DEL pool covers. French manufacturer DEL is renowned in the industry for its innovation and dedication to customer service. “These values are very much in line with Golden Coast’s own ethos, which is why we have been proudly working with DEL for over 20 years,” says Adam Clark, Sales Director at Golden Coast.” DEL offers a wide range of bespoke pool covers, rollers and safety systems to suit new build and renovation projects. “The great thing about DEL pool covers is that not only are they designed to look good, they make pools safer and easier to maintain,” Adam continues. “The automatic covers are available in solar polycarbonate or PVC slats in a variety of colours to suit the owner’s aesthetic. The solar option even provides the added benefit of heating the pool, enabling lower running costs. “Every product is the result of DEL’s commitment to design, research and development, and is manufactured to the highest standards,” adds Adam. “A key thing to note is that DEL slats suit 99% of cover systems in the UK, so offering DEL replacements slats is a great sales opportunity.” The Moon above-ground automatic pool cover system is very popular as it’s got a contemporary design and is easy to install. There are vibrant colour options for the end stands, so customers can choose what fits best with their pool.

THE KEY MESSAGES for boosting pool cover sales offer a feast of selling opportunities. Pic. Aquadeck.
THE KEY MESSAGES for boosting pool cover sales offer a feast of selling opportunities. Pic. Aquadeck.

OVER THE MOON
For slightly larger pools, there is the Contura above-ground automatic pool cover system, which is supported by sleek-looking aluminium end stands. The newest product to the DEL range is the TIXIT pool cover, which is unlike anything else on the market. The electric models offer LED lights and built-in Bluetooth speakers, so customers can create a fantastic party atmosphere and get more enjoyment from their pool. DEL also offers a unique mobile automatic pool cover — the Moove’O which sits on coupled wheels so can be placed elsewhere when the pool is being used, to avoid any obstruction. Moove’O is solar powered, making it an easy-to-use, practical and sustainable addition to a pool.

NOT COVERING A POOL, when it is not in use, is tantamount to pouring liquid gold down the main drain. Pic PPG
NOT COVERING A POOL, when it is not in use, is tantamount to pouring liquid gold down the main drain. Pic PPG

PLEASING FINISH
As if we weren’t spoilt for choice, don’t forget the Roldeck brand that has been the original automatic pool since 1978. Their partnership with Certikin has been established for over 30 years. A Roldeck slatted cover is not only attractive, creating an aesthetically pleasing finish to any indoor or outdoor pool, but is also the ultimate in energy saving (up to 70%), as it significantly reduces the amount of evaporation from the pool surface and as a result, heating costs are reduced. Available for a multitude of different installation scenarios; from below-the- floor with an automatic hatch that opens on the touch of a button, to standard above-ground systems, there is a solution for almost any pool design. A distinct advantage of Roldeck is that rainwater will pass through the cover and will not collect on top requiring removal by pump. All covers are manufactured specifically for individual pool requirements and no separate motor pit is required making installation.

 

COMPANY CONTACTS

Certikin International Ltd
Tel. 01993 777207
sales@certikin.co.uk
www.certikin.co.uk
Golden Coast
Tel. 01271 378100
swimmer@goldenc.com
www.goldenc.com
Ocea UK
Tel. 01993 707910
A.Thorne@oceacovers.com
www.hydrostar-binder.de/en
PPG
Tel. 01635 227 999
sales@polletpoolgroup.co.uk
www.polletpoolgroup.co.uk