Pac-Fab, based in Sanford, N.C., now markets its swimming pool equipment under the Triton Swimming Pool Systems label and obviously sees a bright future for automation. Experts tells us that some type of automatic control device is in use in as many as 40 percent of all pool/spa combinations in the country.
For service professionals, the Pac-Fab takeover means that they are going to see vast increase in the number of units out there, according to Compool's National Sales Manager Brian Lee. Pac-Fab national sales network will open up
Greater avenues and opportunities for sales of the units, both on new pool applications and on remodel jobs.
"There's never been a problem selling automatic controls to the higher end of the pool market," Lee said. "The big challenge is in the middle part of the market, to show the value to those customers."
He added that with Pac-Fab's leadership, Compool will be looking at expanding the retrofit market for automatic devices, especially when pool owners thinking about remodeling.
Lee said that technical training opportunities for service professionals will be on the increase. He said that it's likely that Pac-Fab, which runs about 50-60 pump and heater school across that nation each year, will add a segment on automation to the school's curriculum next year.