Connect with us

PREMIUM SPONSORS

Industry News

Why is Buffett Bullish on PoolCorp?

Berkshire Hathaway’s PoolCorp investment has the industry buzzing this week.

Published

on

Why is Warren Buffet Bullish on Poolcorp?

In the third quarter of 2024, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway made waves on Wall Street by investing in Pool Corporation (NASDAQ: POOL), the world’s largest distributor of swimming pool supplies and backyard products. This move has captured the attention of investors and industry analysts alike. While it’s always interesting to see where Buffett puts his money, this particular investment is especially intriguing because few would have considered Pool Corp. to be an obvious choice for the Berkshire portfolio.

What Is PoolCorp?

Pool Corporation, or PoolCorp, is largely recognized as one of the major players within the pool and outdoor living industry. Founded in 1980, the company operates over 400 distribution centers across North America, Europe, and Australia, serving a clientele of about 125,000 wholesale customers. Its product line includes supplies for the maintenance of pools, construction materials for new pool and spa projects, and equipment for both pools and outdoor living spaces.

PoolCorp’s net sales dropped 10% to $5.5 billion in 2023, and the company’s net income dwindled to $523.2 million, a 30% decline from the previous year’s profits. But Buffett’s focus on PoolCorp is a sign of a promising, profitable business—not an industry in trouble. The Oracle of Omaha considers PoolCorp well-run, with robust cash flow and an opportunity for growth in the not-too-distant future.

Berkshire Hathaway's PoolCorp investment has the industry buzzing this week.

Why Is Warren Buffett Betting on PoolCorp?

Buffett’s investing style is grounded in long-term value. He looks for companies with solid fundamentals, a competitive edge, strong leadership, and the ability to grow sustainably. Here’s how PoolCorp checks those boxes:

Market Leadership and Competitive Edge

PoolCorp is the undisputed leader in the pool supply industry. Its extensive distribution network and wide range of products give it a significant edge over competitors, creating high barriers to entry. This type of market dominance is exactly what Buffett seeks—a durable competitive advantage.

Steady Revenue in a Cyclical Industry

While PoolCorp’s business is partially cyclical—affected by new pool construction and larger renovations—it also benefits from consistent demand for maintenance and repair products. Even when new installations slow, pool owners still need chemicals, equipment repairs, and accessories. This resilience was evident in the company’s third-quarter 2024 results, which posted $1.5 billion in net sales—the second-highest third-quarter revenue in its history.

Positioned for Long-Term Growth

The demand for outdoor living spaces has been on the rise, fueled by demographic trends and a growing emphasis on creating home sanctuaries. PoolCorp’s strategic acquisitions and entry into new markets have positioned it to benefit from these shifts. With the U.S. facing a housing shortage, future demand for pools and renovations could remain strong for years to come.

An Attractive Entry Point

Before Berkshire Hathaway’s investment, PoolCorp’s stock had underperformed the broader market, declining around 8% year-to-date compared to a robust 25% gain in the S&P 500. This underperformance may have presented an appealing opportunity for Buffett to buy into a high-quality business at a relatively attractive price.

Market Reaction to Buffet’s Investment in PoolCorp

Once Berkshire Hathaway’s stake in PoolCorp became public, the stock saw a notable jump. The so-called “Buffett Effect” is well-documented; his endorsement often inspires confidence among investors, boosting share prices and drawing attention to the companies he backs.

Bigger Implications for the Pool Industry

Buffett’s move into PoolCorp goes beyond the company itself—it’s a vote of confidence in the broader pool and outdoor living sector. While PoolCorp has strong fundamentals, some analysts speculate that the recent election results could lead to macroeconomic shifts that create favorable conditions for industries tied to discretionary spending.

If consumer confidence rebounds and interest rates stabilize, the pool industry could see renewed demand for installations and renovations. Policies that promote homeownership or support the housing market might also provide additional tailwinds. Buffett’s investment might signal not only his belief in PoolCorp but also optimism about the sector’s potential for growth in a more favorable economic climate.

Disclaimer:
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The opinions expressed are based on independent analysis and should not be interpreted as recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any particular stock or security. Pool Magazine and its contributors assume no liability for actions taken based on this article. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor for investment decisions.

4.8/5 - (12 votes)

Pool News

Pool News coverage brought to you by Pool Magazine's own Marcus Packer. Marcus Packer is a 20 year pool industry veteran pool builder and pool service technician. In addition to being a swimming pool professional, Marcus has been a writer and long time contributor for Newsweek Magazine's home improvement section and more recently for Florida Travel + Life. Have a story idea or tip you'd like to share with Pool Magazine? Email [email protected] your story idea.

Industry News

Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

Published

on

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.

5/5 - (9 votes)

Continue Reading

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.

Published

on

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

5/5 - (13 votes)

Continue Reading

Industry News

Landmark Aquatic Names Jason Hill Kansas City General Manager

Published

on

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.

Rate this post

Continue Reading

Read the Summer Issue of Pool Magazine

Read the Summer Edition of Pool Magazine
Add Pool Magazine on Google

See more of our coverage in your search results

CPO Class - Virtual Online Classes - Become a Certified Pool OperatorSponsored Advertisement
Sponsored Advertisement
CPO Class - Virtual Online Classes - Become a Certified Pool OperatorSponsored Advertisement

Pool News