Going into business may be risky but potentially rewarding, as Poolwerx founder John O’Brien has learned in 30 years. After establishing a small pool maintenance company in Jindalee in 1992, his company has been making a splash and setting sights on a global expansion.
In the last year, Poolwerx grew its revenue by over $150 million from its operations across Australia and New Zealand. Mr O’Brien said that many homeowners have been “rediscovering” their backyards due to the pandemic as pool construction requirements grew by 30 per cent.
According to the entrepreneur, Australian families are cocooning and focusing on spending time in their backyards. He believes that this renewed culture will remain even as lockdown restrictions are no longer in place.
However, Poolwerx has been tracking success prior to the lockdowns after expanding its franchise opportunities in the U.S. In July 2022, Mr O’Brien announced its partnership with Norwest, its newest global business partner.
Currently, Poolwerx has 160 outlets and 600 mobile vans across Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. Plans are underway to open more franchises, including in Europe.
Poolwerx franchisees range from first-timers who want a shift from their office jobs to more savvy entrepreneurs who could handle multiple outlets.
The company’s annual convention in August honoured the franchise partners that have contributed to its success as the largest franchise pool servicing brand in the world. The celebration was held in Port Douglas after two years of pandemic lockdowns.
Poolwerx 30th Anniversary Franchise Honourees
- Franchise Partners of the Year, 2022 – Michelle and Rob Hudson, Albury and Wodonga, NSW
- Retail Store of the Year – Ringwood, VIC
- New Retail Store of the Year – Bendigo, VIC
- Retail Salesperson of the Year – Simon Martin, Jimboomba, QLD
- New Retail Salesperson of the Year – Nicky Seaton, Noosa, QLD
- Pool & Spa Technician of the Year – Cory Thomson, Spearwood WA
- New Pool & Spa Technician of the Year – Anthony Otto, Happy Valley, SA
- Brand Excellence – Upper North Shore, NSW
- Technical Excellence – Kalamunda, WA
- Innovation & Entrepreneurial Excellence – Castle Hill, NSW
- Rising Star – Auckland South, NZ
- Most Improved – Wagga Wagga, NSW
- B2B Excellence – Albury, VIC
- Employer of the Year – Albany Creek, QLD
- Top Mobile Sales (Single Territory) – Coffs Harbour, NSW
- Top Cross Counter Sales – Dubbo, NSW
- Top B2B Sales – Mt Gravatt, QLD
- Top National Sales – Indooroopilly, QLD
- Woman of the Year – Michaella Dunker, Jimboomba, QLD
- Outstanding Team Contribution – Indooroopilly, QLD
- PSC Team Member of the Year – Lesley Berry
- BDM of the Year, Calan McIntosh, BNE North and Central QLD
- Hall of Fame – Karen & Kevin Scott, Manduarah WA, Janelle & Chris Harzenberg, Beverly Hills, NSW and Andrew Kidd, CEO USA
- FP of the Year BNE South, FNQ, Northern NSW – Jimboomba
- FP of the Year BNE North, Central QLD – Indooroopilly
- FP of the Year NSW & ACT – Upper North Shore
- FP of the Year South Australia – Happy Valley
- FP of the Year VIC & TAS – Albury
- FP of the Year WA – Kalamunda
- FP of the Year NZ – Bay of Plenty
