Shamrock Pool Services, Inc. has been South Florida’s leading swimming pool service, repair, and remodeling company since 1991. With 30 years of industry experience, Shamrock Pools proudly offers exceptional services to residential and commercial customers in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties.
We sat down and asked Tom Kelly, Assistant General Manager of Shamrock Pools how he got started in the industry and enjoyed learning more about his family’s history in the pool and spa industry. Tom explained,
Our company is family owned and operated, so I was able to watch my parents build a company from the ground up, and it was nothing less than inspiring. Shamrock Pools began as most companies do, with a single truck and trailer and a dedication to creating a respectable operation that provides a quality service for our customers. As I grew older, I saw the opportunity to continue their legacy and take Shamrock Pools to the next level. We have been blessed to work with some of the best in the industry, from our wonderful employees to the manufacturers of the products we install, down to the clients that we service. I am truly excited to come to work each day, which is a luxury many are not afforded. The culture that this industry offers enticed me very early, and it quickly transitioned from a summer job to a legitimate career.
Tom Kelly pictured here with Kim Averhoff, Vice President of Shamrock Pools
In an industry that is constantly evolving, we asked Tom how he and his team stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies in the pool and spa industry:
Staying updated with new industry technologies can be a tall task as manufacturers stay busy with providing us with the latest and greatest equipment for our clients. Manufacturer Representatives are great about providing insight as to upcoming changes and new product lines that will help bathers achieve the backyard oasis that they always dreamed of. Mark Siegel from Raypak in particular is wonderful about doing so, as he is in constant communication with us on their latest offerings, and continuously offers complimentary training for our staff members to ensure our installations are done professionally and properly, thus improving our efficiency as an organization.
At Raypak we enjoy getting a look behind the curtain of customers to see how they utilize our products in their everyday business practices. Tom shared with us one specific experience:
One of our commercial clients had a fairly recent heater installation completed involving three natural gas units. After a short while, the heaters failed prematurely and were not warranted by the previous manufacturer, leading to a difficult situation that required a time-sensitive solution. Our partners from Raypak were able to meet with us on-site at the location to review the installation and provide a quality solution to the problem in their Professional Series units. Considering this client resides on the coast, the stainless-steel manufacturing of this model has held up especially well, allowing their residents to enjoy a warm pool with no interruptions. The quick response time and knowledgeable insight provided by our Raypak partners turned a difficult situation into a seamless installation, along with a satisfied customer.
We came across one of Shamrock Pool’s recent happy customers who noted “We come from New Jersey where we were familiar with Raypak. So, when we decided that our equipment needed replacement in Florida, we had no other choice but to use Raypak as it was so reliable up north. While it was somewhat difficult to find a dealer, we eventually were given Shamrock Pool to call from the distributor. Shamrock went up and beyond throughout the entire project. We highly recommend them if you need pool work done.” David Farber.
Raypak focuses on educating the professionals whenever possible when it comes to new products or general industry news. We asked Tom to share what advice he would give to someone just starting out in the pool and spa industry. Here’s what he had to say:
For those just starting out in the swimming pool industry, I would advise you to try things outside of your comfort zone. It is far too easy to become satisfied with the same scopes of work or the same types of equipment. Exploring all areas of the industry and familiarizing yourself with new types of equipment not only makes you a more knowledgeable and skilled contractor, but it also provides new opportunities and exposes you to new processes. Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable hones your skills and causes you to think outside of the box, possibly arriving at a solution that your competitors may not. You are able to approach issues with a holistic mindset thus raising the standard of services provided by your company. There are always multiple solutions to a problem, but not being open-minded may cloud these solutions to the regular contractor.
We wanted to see if Tom had an instance where he could share a story where a Raypak product helped solve a specific problem or improve a project. Tom shared, “Our organization renders services for a commercial facility that is heated with a two million BTU natural gas heater. The existing heater has a complex system that is required to allow the pool to be heated. When we were initially contacted, the lack of serviceability of the unit was a severe pain point for the client, as was the difficulty in having the unit operate without issue”, Tom noted. “Mark (Siegel) was able to provide an equivalent solution from Raypak at a very reasonable price that minimized the nuance of the system, resulting in seamless operation. Further, the service support on the back end for any maintenance or repair related items has been top-notch, which has been essential as this amenity is a top priority for this specific client”.
The pool and spa industry is certainly not immune to industry misconceptions or assumptions. We asked Tom if he had any thoughts on the industry he wanted to share, and we loved what he had to say:
The amount of skill and knowledge required in this industry is almost always understated. Many underestimate the physical demands required to work in even the simplest capacities of the swimming pool industry. In reality, the swimming pool industry requires knowledge of almost every other trade, from HVAC to plumbing, all while working in harsh environments and handling caustic chemicals. Very few are able to perform effectively and provide the results expected by customers. One pleasant but unexpected surprise for myself personally was how respectful the swimming pool industry is. Many different industries are cutthroat, with competition doing anything they can to gain an edge. However, many swimming pool contractors operate with respect for their competitors, which means that you truly have to earn the business of your clients. Rather than diminishing the credibility of another, pool industry contractors largely set themselves apart by displaying the quality of their own work instead, which again, helps raise the standards of what can be expected from swimming pool contractors.
Over the years, the swimming pool industry has had significant advances in the technologies available to ensure a properly functioning swimming pool. For example, remote monitoring for swimming pools allows clients to constantly review changes in their equipment’s operation and make real time adjustments. Chemical controlling devices allow these same corrections to be made to swimming pool water chemistry automatically. With that said, these changes have also changed the requirements of the technicians working within the industry. Our knowledge and skills have had to grow alongside the equipment to ensure it is being maintained properly. While the end goal has always been to have a safe, healthy, enjoyable swimming environment, the prerequisites required have become more substantial to ensure this luxury can be provided to our clients.
We wondered how Tom and Shamrock Pools approach training and development for their team. Tom expounded:
To ensure our team is up to the task of maintaining the swimming pools entrusted to us, we conduct monthly meetings to review changes that will affect the whole industry, whether these changes are related to code requirements, or simply seasonal changes that will alter the demands to achieve properly balanced water chemistry. We also ensure our team members receive training when available from equipment manufacturers, allowing us to keep pace with the ever changing landscape in the industry. Internally, we constantly explore new avenues to streamline processes that allow our company to achieve sustainable growth, while not compromising quality for our clients. Our organization was founded upon a ‘quality over quantity’ type of business model, so any improvements that can be made to improve upon that quality are always worth investigating.
Tom got started in the pool industry with a summer job where he fell in love with being able to work outdoors. He noted that “swimming pools were especially enjoyable because there are so many different facets that must be mastered to become proficient in the industry. Between hydraulics, electric, structural work, water chemistry and others, the swimming pool industry constantly challenges you with new information, forcing you to learn and evolve every single day”. Here’s to jobs that we love that also grow and challenge us along the way, Tom!
Learn more about Shamrock Pools at https://shamrockpoolservices.com/
