One of Australasia’s largest pool and spa specialist groups, Swimart has celebrated 35 years of operation.
From humble beginnings as a single retail store in Killara, NSW, Swimart has grown into a trusted expert in pool and spa maintenance and care, with a hugely successful franchising model that features 75 stores across Australia and New Zealand and a fleet of over 220 mobile service vans.
Swimart Franchise Development Manager, Alex Johnson credited the brand’s success to its long-standing franchisees and company support program.
“We are an agile company that is customer focused and service orientated, and we work closely with our franchise partners to educate pool and spa owners about how to get the most out of their investment,” Johnson said.
Founded by Malaysian migrant, Soon Sinn Goh in 1983, Swimart commenced franchising in 1986 before expanding considerably in 1988 with the acquisition of Swimworld Wholesale Pty Ltd, Swimworld Retail Pty Ltd and Poolquip Pty Ltd .
Franchise partner, Bob Tully was the store manager at Brian Archer Swimming Pools in Miranda, which was purchased by Swimart in 1984. After serving as Swimart’s first franchise manager, he subsequently purchased the Campbelltown store soon after.
“Swimart provides its franchisees with fantastic marketing and advertising support, and it’s really good at keeping up with product trends and technology,” Tully said.
Swimart’s ability to adapt to industry trends has been instrumental to the brand’s success within the sector.
Pool owners are more time poor than ever before, however demand healthier, low-chlorine sanitisation methods, with the company’s decision to promote more regular water quality testing proving to be invaluable to franchisees.
“It’s good to be part of a company that moves with the times. It’s also good to have loyal customers, some of whom have been with us for more than 20 years.”
Fellow Swimart franchisee, Reg Blue, started working as Swimart store manager in 1989 before purchasing the Camp Hill store in 1995, which he still owns today.
“I saw the potential in the Swimart franchise and, having worked as a manager for a Swimart franchisee, I saw how successful the business model was,” Blue said.
Like Johnson, Blue attributes the company’s long-standing franchise success to Swimart’s dedicated franchisee support framework.
“I believe the company’s success comes down to a reputable brand, quality products and high-quality training and support. Swimart has also been instrumental in educating Australian pool owners about water safety and health.”
Swimart is owned by ASX-listed Waterco Ltd (ASX:WAT), a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of water treatment products.