Homegrown pool brand, Poolwerx is opening 13 new stores across both Australia and New Zealand in a matter of months.

The business acquired six independent pool servicing stores under its banner in Baulkham Hills and Coffs Harbour North (NSW), Kings Park and Hampstead Gardens (SA) and another two on New Zealand’s North Island. 

A further seven new retail locations will open in the coming months across New South Wales, Western Australian and Queensland, all of which are existing franchise partners growing their pool servicing empire.

Poolwerx founder and CEO John O’Brien said the franchise is a perfect match for independents who are looking at succession planning or thinking of retiring.

“In all of these acquisitions, we’re helping long term industry veterans with their exit strategy, allowing them to hand over their business knowing their staff and clients will be looked after and their life’s work will be honoured,” O’Brien said. 

“I am also buoyed to see existing franchise partners continue to grow their business and open new retail locations, which speaks to the resilience of our business model, even in the midst of a recession.

“Our partners are opening their stores next to the local IGA, to the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker – in neighbourhood locations that people are still visiting once or twice a week.

“The home service industry has proven to be recession-resistant and this has become particularly evident during Covid-19. With home now the place for work, study and play, people have flipped their socialising to be more home-based and there’s been a surge in demand on services like Poolwerx.”

Poolwerx reports record sales month

In November, Poolwerx experienced its biggest month of sales on record, increasing by almost 15% year-on-year with retail stores reporting a 23% sales uplift. This was followed by an 11% sales jump in December.

Poolwerx chief operating officer, Nic Brill said the with international borders still closed, many people have shifted their holiday plans and are choosing to spend summer at home.

“We’ve been the recipient of this home cocooning trend since March, and it’s great to see our franchise partners in Australia and New Zealand capitalise on this opportunity,” he said.

“More than 80% of the network is already ahead of budget for the financial year, which is also testament to the strength of our network and processes, which allow franchise partners to focus on running their business on the ground – generating sales and providing stellar customer service.”

The most southern states of Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia recorded the biggest growth with a 30% uplift year-on-year. Poolwerx also reported double-digit growth in average transaction value through November.

Poolwerx recognised with two gongs

At the recent National Franchise Council of Australia Excellence in Franchising Awards, Poolwerx received the Excellence in Marketing Award for its pool blanket campaign, while Queensland business development manager, Phil Colburn (pictured below) was recognised with the National Field Manager of the Year Award.

Held virtually, the awards recognised Australia’s high-achieving franchise networks, small business owners and franchise support staff.

In the height of the drought, Poolwerx launched its pool blanket campaign to help prevent water evaporation. The two-month campaign leveraged smart technology and data insights to generate close to 1,500 leads directly to franchise partners and delivered a 230% uplift on pool blanket sales year-on-year.

Phil Colburn was recognised for his commitment to the network over the year, providing endless support, advice and coaching to franchise partners and fellow team members, and his commitment to professional development within the broader pool and franchising industry.

After a 30-year career in franchising, in support roles and as a franchisee himself, Colburn joined Poolwerx in 2016, responsible for growth in Brisbane South, Northern Territory and New Zealand regions, encompassing 27 partners, 45 territories and 25 stores.