To last in this business, it is important to always be learning and adapting to new products and technologies. That is exactly what Jeff Sims of Simpool Design does well.
Jeff started his career in the pool business over 30 years ago as a chlorine carrier for Leslie’s Swimming Pools. He surrounded himself and sought out others that could be mentors as he grew in the knowledge and operations of the pool business. After several years of immersing himself in the day-to-day needs of the industry, he eventually purchased his own business, obtained a C53 Swimming Pool Contractors License, and continued his education to the point where he has now become a highly knowledgeable and sought after professional in the field.
We got to sit down with Jeff to learn more about his business and how Raypak continues to play a role in the success of his day-to-day operations.
We asked Jeff specifically why he chooses AVIA for his projects, and he shared:
Raypak heaters have always been the go-to choice for commercial pools and spas. However, the weight and footprint made them less suitable for residential applications. Now with the release of the AVIA, technicians have an easier install with a top-quality heater that fits in smaller residential equipment areas.
The AVIA comes with Wi-Fi connectivity which allows Simpool Design to monitor their customers’ heaters and check fault error codes when they happen. The connectivity also allows the team to be prepared with correct parts, thus reducing the need for multiple trips for repairs.
Ken Kauffmann, Raypak West Regional Training & Technical Manager works closely with Jeff and his team and added, “The AVIA comes with a 3-year parts and labor warranty on a single item install which eliminates the need for Simpool to have to bundle all the same equipment on one pad. They now have the choice to utilize a Raypak AVIA heater with other pumps, filters etc.”
Ken also noted that AVIA units have been a great addition to Simpool Designs installations for several reasons. The lightweight, smaller compact design comes in at 135lbs which is typically light enough for one person to install. The AVIA is also small enough to fit in the tighter side yards often found in newer housing communities, which adds to its versatility.
Jeff has been in the industry for years and has seen his fair share of customer needs, complaints and resolutions. He shared with us that a few years back he received a call from a frustrated property manager who had to replace four heaters just three years after their service company installed them.
“I explained the differences between Raypak and the other brands to the client, and not only received approval for the heater installs but gained a client for life. Six years later and they are still working great!”
We love seeing how Raypak’s best-in-class mentality and product development focus translates into customers’ lives. Jeff and others like him get to see firsthand what our innovations, technological focus and drive to be the best looks like at the customer level. We asked Jeff why he chooses Raypak over other options and he said kindly, “With over 30 years’ experience in the swimming pool industry I can say that the quality of Raypak products is unmatched. Raypak is the only brand I would ever use for high usage commercial applications. The build quality has always been far beyond any competitor’s product.”
Thank you, Jeff, for shedding light on your business and on the industry as a whole. Thank you for being a champion for Raypak within the industry and for continuing to challenge, educate and mentor others in the industry with quality business practices.
