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Insights with POOLCORP Vice President of Marketing, Kendall Large

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Insights with POOLCORP’s Vice President of Marketing, Kendall Large

POOLCORP, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies and equipment, is celebrating several major milestones in 2025—including its 30th anniversary as a publicly traded company. But despite decades of success, the company shows no signs of slowing down. To learn more about how POOLCORP is continuing to evolve while supporting both its customers and the broader industry, we spoke with Kendall Large, Vice President of Strategic Marketing.

A Year of Milestones for POOLCORP

For POOLCORP, 2025 isn’t just another year—it marks a series of significant anniversaries. “It’s our 44th year in business and our 30th anniversary as a public company,” said Large. “When I sit back and think about all we’ve accomplished since our humble beginnings in 1981 as South Central Pool Supply, it’s really astounding.”

POOLCORP has grown from a regional operation into a global distribution giant, with nearly 450 locations across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Large attributes this growth to a customer-first strategy and a willingness to invest in people and infrastructure. “We’ve always aimed to be in the right market at the right time with the right product. And most importantly, it’s our people—over 6,000 employees, including the largest sales force in the industry—who make it happen.”

POOLCORP recently acquired Pinch a Penny

The Pinch A Penny Acquisition: Strategic Synergy

POOLCORP’s recent acquisition of Pinch A Penny, the country’s largest collection of independently owned pool and spa retail stores, is one of the company’s most impactful strategic moves. While some eyebrows were raised at the move, Large said it was a natural fit.

“Pinch A Penny is made up of independent franchise owners—retailers who can buy from anyone,” she explained. “The way our distribution brands SEP and Superior serve Pinch A Penny is exactly how we serve our independent pool customers: builders, service pros, and subcontractors. There was a lot of synergy already.”

POOLCORP not only gained a significant retail footprint with the acquisition but also inherited a proven model for consumer engagement and technology-driven retail operations. “What Pinch A Penny has perfected is the customer experience for the DIY pool owner. They’re celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, and they’ve built a strong playbook we can now help scale and share.”

Investing in Independent Retailers

That retail expertise has already made its way into POOLCORP’s broader efforts to support independent pool professionals. One major initiative is the company’s annual Retail Summit, which Large described as one of the most successful events POOLCORP has ever hosted.

“We brought together the best independent retailers, the top vendors, and our internal teams for three days of education, training, and innovation,” she said. “It’s all about creating an environment where retailers can learn, grow, and maximize their success heading into the season.”

The summit featured access to new products, special promotions, and hands-on training, all designed to give independent businesses a competitive edge. “This event is something I’m especially proud of,” said Large. “It’s how we help retailers thrive.”

Post-Pandemic Adaptation

Like every company in the pool industry, POOLCORP had to adjust during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. “I entered the industry in 2021, just as things were starting to stabilize,” said Large. “And to be honest, I had no idea what I was walking into. During the pandemic, it was all about moving product. Customer experience and education took a back seat.”

As demand normalized, however, the focus shifted back to service. “Now, the conversation isn’t just about getting any product—it’s about getting the right product. And our team’s experience plays a huge role in helping customers make the best choices,” she said.

POOLCORP has embraced tools like its Blue Streak service, which allows pool professionals to pick up materials without entering the building, improving turnaround times and streamlining the process. “We’ve invested heavily in operational efficiency. Speed at the counter is a key metric for us now—especially for the service pros who are trying to get in and out quickly.”

SWIMPACT: A Broader Mission

Perhaps one of POOLCORP’s most inspiring initiatives is its philanthropic arm, SWIMPACT. Initially focused on swim safety and education, the program has evolved into a broader community relief platform.

“SWIMPACT was originally created to help more kids and adults learn to swim,” said Large. “We partner with local YMCAs across the country and fund comprehensive swim lesson packages. We’re proud to have helped over 52,000 people learn to swim and trained more than 4,000 lifeguards.”

POOLCORP Swimpact program donates $25,000 to Step Into Swim California Fire Relief Fund

But after a series of recent natural disasters, including hurricanes in Florida and wildfires in California, the program’s scope has expanded. “Last year, I was personally affected by one of the recent hurricanes, and I witnessed firsthand the difference POOLCORP was able to make,” Large recalled. “We trucked in supplies, generators, satellite phones, and water. We even housed emergency responders at one of our facilities.”

This experience prompted the company to formalize disaster relief as part of SWIMPACT’s mission. When fires devastated parts of Southern California, POOLCORP donated $25,000 to the PHTA’s Step Into Swim Fire Relief Fund. “These types of disasters will unfortunately continue to happen, but we’re in a position to help—and we feel a responsibility to do so,” Large said.

Eyes on the Future

With momentum strong heading into 2025, POOLCORP is looking ahead with optimism and energy. One highlight on the horizon: ringing the bell at the NASDAQ in October to celebrate 30 years as a public company.

“We’re bringing the sales leaders who helped make it happen,” said Large. “They’re the ones who’ve led the teams, opened new locations, and driven growth.”

POOLCORP is also doubling down on education and empowerment through its Management in Training (MIT) program and continuing to develop marketing resources through its EDGE program. “Whether it’s national brands, tools to improve efficiency, or marketing support—everything we’re doing is centered on helping our customers succeed,” she said.

And while the company doesn’t always seek the spotlight, Large believes it’s worth acknowledging the scale and substance of POOLCORP’s efforts. “We don’t always make a big splash about ourselves, but when you take a step back and look at the impact we’re making—from customer support to community aid—it’s really something to be proud of.”

As the pool industry heads into another season, one thing is clear: POOLCORP isn’t just distributing product—they’re leading with purpose.

Ready to take a deeper dive?

Listen to our entire conversation with Kendall Large, Vice President of Marketing with POOLCORP on the Pool Magazine Podcast.

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Joe Trusty

Editor in Chief of Pool Magazine - Joe Trusty is also CEO of PoolMarketing.com, the leading digital agency for the pool industry. An internet entrepreneur, software developer, author, and marketing professional with a long history in the pool industry. Joe oversees the writing and creative staff at Pool Magazine.

To contact Joe Trusty email [email protected] or call (916) 467-9118 during normal business hours. For submissions, please send your message to [email protected]

Industry News

Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

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Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

For an industry that spends a great deal of time talking about how pools are built, operated and maintained, Pool Horizons is advancing a different conversation: why swimming pools matter in the first place.

Launched in 2023, Pool Horizons is a global initiative bringing together leaders from the swimming pool industry and broader aquatic community to examine and communicate the role pools play in society. Its work focuses on areas including health and wellbeing, community development, water safety and sustainability, with an emphasis on giving the industry research and real-world examples that demonstrate the value of aquatic spaces beyond recreation.

Over the next several months, Pool Horizons will continue that conversation at major industry gatherings in the United States and Europe, with appearances scheduled in Phoenix, Lyon and Atlantic City.

Pool Horizons Heads to the MasterMind Summit

The first stop will be the PHTA & GENESIS MasterMind Summit, taking place September 16–18 at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona.

Pool Horizons will host a two-hour session on Friday, September 18, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., connecting the cultural and social history of swimming pools with the data-backed narrative the industry is working to develop.

Author and historian Jeff Wiltse will explore the history of swimming pools and their enduring social, cultural and economic importance. Attendees will then hear about the latest Pool Horizons initiatives and how that work applies to the U.S. market.

The session will conclude with industry leaders discussing how different stakeholders can work together to better communicate the value of pools and create new opportunities for the industry.

Taking the Conversation to France

The initiative will head overseas in November for Piscine Global 2026 in Lyon, France.

On November 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pool Horizons will present preliminary findings from the Global Aquatic Social Impact Framework (GASIF) pilot study. The project is aimed at developing a more data-driven understanding of the social impact created by swimming pools and aquatic facilities.

Representatives from participating industry associations in France, Spain and the United States will take part, followed by a roundtable examining the challenges and future of the swimming pool industry. Leaders from CF Group, Fluidra, Hayward and Pentair are scheduled to participate in the discussion.

Pool Horizons will make a second appearance in Lyon during Aqualie on November 19 from 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. That session will introduce Pool Horizons and showcase a French public swimming pool Best-in-Class project, providing a real-world example of the role aquatic facilities can play within their communities.

Returning to Connect With The Industry in Atlantic City in 2027

The schedule continues into the new year with the Pool Horizons Summit in Atlantic City on January 25, 2027, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Following its 2026 gathering, Pool Horizons will return with a program that includes a keynote presentation, a new Best-in-Class project and contributions from leading figures throughout the swimming pool industry.

Together, the upcoming events provide Pool Horizons with an opportunity to continue building the conversation on both sides of the pond.

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Industry News

Skimmer Expands Into Pool Construction Software With Acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics

The two software platforms form the foundation of a unified offering for pool professionals; Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds joins Skimmer to lead construction strategy.

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Skimmer Expands Into Pool Construction Software With Acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics

AUSTIN, TX, August 24, 2026 — Skimmer, the leading operating system for pool service and maintenance professionals, today announced the acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics, two software platforms purpose-built for pool construction businesses.

The acquisitions mark Skimmer’s expansion into pool construction and establish the foundation for a unified platform serving pool professionals from construction through ongoing service and maintenance.

As part of the acquisition, Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds, who has extensive experience in the pool construction software space, will join Skimmer, leading the company’s construction strategy and continued investment in solutions for pool builders.

“Our vision is to build an end-to-end platform for the pool and spa industry,” said Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer. “Pool Builder Geek brings an AI-native platform designed to evolve quickly with the industry, while Poologics brings a proven product that builders have relied on for years. Together, they significantly accelerate our ability to serve pool construction businesses.”

Pool builders manage complex estimating, permitting, project management, subcontractor coordination, customer communication, and job costing processes. Many still rely on spreadsheets or generic construction tools that were not designed for their specific needs. Pool Builder Geek and Poologics address those challenges with purpose-built capabilities, including estimating, project management, permitting, job costing, and AI-powered visualization.

“Pool builders do not need generic contracting software with a pool label added to it,” said Reynolds. “We built Pool Builder Geek specifically around how pools are sold and built with AI at the core of the platform. Joining Skimmer gives us the resources and expertise to accelerate our product roadmap and deliver even more for the builders we serve. I’m excited about what we can build together and what this means for the future of the pool industry.”

“We built Poologics on the belief that pool construction deserves software designed specifically for the industry,” said Nate Pruitt, CEO of Poologics. “Skimmer has built its business on that same belief for pool service. Together, we can give builders more resources, stronger support, and a faster path to innovation.”

Service and maintenance remain a core focus of Skimmer. The expansion into construction advances the company’s long-term strategy to provide connected, purpose-built tools for pool professionals across the industry.

About Skimmer

Skimmer is one of America’s leading pool service platforms. The company is on a mission to modernize the pool and spa service and repair industry through easy-to-use software and best-in-class support. Over 35,000 pool service professionals servicing 1,000,000+ pools in North America use Skimmer to get organized, get paid faster, and grow their businesses. For more information, visit getskimmer.com.

About Poologics

Poologics is an all-in-one business management platform built specifically for swimming pool builders. It streamlines CRM, estimating, project management, and job costing, helping professionals run their businesses with greater efficiency, accuracy, and control. For more information, visit poologics.com.

About Pool Builder Geek

Pool Builder Geek is an AI-powered project management platform built exclusively for the swimming pool construction and renovation industry. Created by a team with deep experience building software for pool builders, it gives builders purpose-built tools for project tracking, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, budgeting, job costing, and AI-powered backyard visualization. For more information, visit poolbuildergeek.com.

Media contact

Travis Wingate

Skimmer, CMO, [email protected], 416-838-9161

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Industry News

Landmark Aquatic Names Jason Hill Kansas City General Manager

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Jason Hill named Landmark Aquatic Kansas City General Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Landmark Aquatic, a national leader in commercial aquatic construction and renovation, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Hill to General Manager of its Kansas City, Missouri market. Hill brings nearly two decades of commercial aquatic experience to the role, having worked his way through the industry as a laborer, plumber, project superintendent and project manager. That hands-on path through the trades gives him a perspective few general managers share.

“I truly understand the jobs of everyone here,” explains Hill. “It’s not just how they’re supposed to perform, I actually understand their day-to-day struggles, their desire for growth, and their need to have the best tools at their disposal to do their job efficiently.”

As he begins his tenure, Hill said mentorship and workforce development will be a top priority, particularly given how few professionals nationwide specialize in commercial pools.

“The commercial pool industry is such an anomaly,” he said. “As we grow our team, we are not likely to find commercial pool people waiting in our market to be hired, rather I am going to have to make commercial pool people. Training and coaching them is a big part of making that happen.” Hill’s emphasis on training echoes the company culture that earned Landmark a Top Workplace award, given in part for its investment in employee career development.

Hill is already collaborating closely with Landmark’s marketing team to grow the company’s visibility across the Kansas City market, contributing fresh ideas that are helping generate excitement. “I’m excited to compete with our other markets and see how far we can climb,” he said, noting his hometown ties add extra motivation.

With his depth of field experience and people-first approach, Hill is positioned to grow Landmark Aquatic’s presence and reputation throughout the region.

Jason can be reached at [email protected].

About Landmark Aquatic:

Landmark Aquatic is a nationwide provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance services, with more than six decades of industry experience. Serving clients across most of the U.S., Landmark delivers construction-led solutions and on-going support though its AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions. For more about Landmark Aquatic visit www.landmarkaquatic.com.

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