Pool Controls evolves into full line pool equipment supplier
Pool Controls has dramatically expanded its offering to the swimming pool and spa industry, evolving into a complete end-to-end supplier of pool equipment. At the same time is has bolstered its resources across Australia.
In 2024, Pool Controls entered a new era under the leadership of Eddie Melle and Declan McGuire.
McGuire, who is Pool Controls director of operations, says they had a clear vision seeking a fresh direction.
“The focus was simple: strengthen the foundations of the business while positioning it for long-term growth in an evolving pool industry.”
He says that very early on they identified four key areas that required immediate attention: product offering, sales and customer engagement, aftersales service, and company culture.
“One of our first observations was that our product range, while strong in certain areas, was too narrow for the broader needs of today’s market,” he says.
“To address this, we partnered with several well-regarded manufacturers within the industry, allowing us to expand quickly without compromising on quality.”
This led to the introduction of the Zen range, including pumps, filters and heat pumps, providing a more complete equipment solution for their trade partners.
In addition, they embraced the rapid shift toward automation and convenience by adding cordless robotic pool cleaners to the portfolio. This move not only strengthened their offering but aligned them with the direction the market is clearly heading – toward smarter, more efficient pool ownership.
Strengthening the sales team
The second area of focus was the sales structure and frontline engagement with trade customers.
“We recognised the need to invest in people and presence,” McGuire says.
New business development managers were appointed across key regions: Rachel Broadhead in Queensland, Phil Jones in Victoria, Ketan Jaiswal in Western Australia, and Jason Van Putten in NSW.
“Each of them brings energy, commitment, and a strong customer-first mindset to their roles.”
The next step to support their national growth strategy was to establish a new warehouse in Park Ridge, south of Brisbane.
“The Park Ridge facility strengthened our logistics capability in Queensland, improving product availability and delivery times for our trade partners.”
To unify and lead the growing team, they appointed Matt Casey as national sales manager.
“Matt’s long-standing history with Pool Controls, particularly his success in developing the Queensland market, made him the natural choice to guide our national sales strategy,” says McGuire.
Elevating aftersales service
McGuire says that while Pool Controls has always had a capable aftersales team, they identified a gap – not in skill, but in structure and representation.
“Historically, the service team operated somewhat independently, without a strong voice in the broader business. We knew this needed to change,” he says.
To bring cohesion and leadership to this critical function, they appointed Tamara Hunter as national service coordinator.
“Tamara’s return to the business – which she describes as ‘coming home’ - has been instrumental in aligning service operations nationally.”
Building a stronger culture
McGuire says all of these initiatives ultimately fed into what he believes is the most important area of all – culture.
“Our goal has been to create an environment where people genuinely want to come to work, where they feel part of something meaningful, and where collaboration drives results,” he says.
“We’ve worked to improve communication, empower our teams, and create a sense of shared purpose across all levels of the business. It’s about giving our people something to be part of – not just a job, but a journey.”
However, he is under no illusions that this is not a finished product – and that Pool Controls is very much a work in progress.
“What has changed is the direction, the energy, and the collective mindset of the team. There is a clear alignment across the whole business, and a genuine commitment to building something special,” he says.
“As we continue this journey, our focus remains on supporting our trade partners, delivering reliable and innovative products, and strengthening the relationships that have underpinned Pool Controls for more than four decades.
“The future is not about quick wins – it’s about sustainable growth, backed by the right people, the right products, and the right culture.
“And we’re only just getting started.”
IMAGE: Director of operations Declan McGuire and national service coordinator Tamara Hunter with one of the new pool robots
