E-266 Pool Nation Podcast: From Good Enough to Great: How Private Companies Are Rewiring the Pool Industry

Breaking the Mold: When Pool Industry Innovation Gets Real

For decades, the pool industry has been stuck in what many would call a comfortable rut. Pool professionals have had to work within the confines of vendor lock-in systems, limited equipment options, and products that don't always play well together. But what happens when three forward-thinking companies decide to throw out the playbook entirely? Enter 'The New Three' - a revolutionary movement that's rewiring how pool equipment works and giving professionals the freedom they've been craving.

In a recent Pool Nation Podcast episode, hosts Edgar De Jesus and John 'JJ Flawless' sat down with industry leaders Justin, Bob, and Todd to discuss how AquaStar Pool Products, Raypack, and Poolside Tech are collaborating to transform the pool equipment landscape. This isn't just another product launch - it's a fundamental shift in how companies can work together to serve pool professionals better.

The Problem: An Industry Stuck in 'Good Enough'

The pool industry has been operating under a 'good enough' mentality for far too long. Pool professionals and builders have been forced to work within rigid systems that prioritize manufacturer convenience over customer needs. This approach has stifled innovation and limited the options available to those who know pools best - the professionals working in backyards every day.

We become complacent and we're just good enough is good enough. And that's not the mentality that I think any industry or any business or anybody striving to do better should have. And innovation is very important. And for a while, I think we've lacked that for decades.

— John 'JJ Flawless', Pool Nation Podcast

This complacency has created a market where pool professionals often have to compromise on equipment choices, not because of performance or customer needs, but because of compatibility issues and vendor restrictions. The result? Suboptimal solutions that don't fully serve the end customer's best interests.

The Solution: Three Companies, One Mission

What makes The New Three so revolutionary isn't just their individual innovations - it's their unprecedented collaboration. AquaStar Pool Products, Raypack, and Poolside Tech have broken industry norms by working together as true partners rather than competitors protecting their turf.

The new three really is the movement. The three manufacturers, Aquastar, Poolside Tech, and Raypack. We believe in a freedom of choice when it comes to the pool pad. And we really believe that innovation should be on the forefront, right? That should be leading when it comes to choice.

— Industry Leader, Pool Nation Podcast

This collaboration goes beyond surface-level partnerships. These companies have shared trade secrets, integrated their products seamlessly, and committed to daily coordination to ensure pool professionals get the best possible solutions. They've essentially created a new category of manufacturer relationship that prioritizes customer success over individual company interests.

Real Innovation in Action: Beyond the Marketing Hype

Unlike typical industry collaborations that exist mainly in marketing materials, The New Three have made tangible changes to how their products work together. They've redesigned systems to ensure seamless integration, developed unified support structures, and created solutions that are genuinely easier for pool professionals to install and maintain.

The focus extends beyond just making products that work together - it encompasses the entire customer experience. From the initial specification process through installation and ongoing service, The New Three have streamlined every touchpoint to reduce complexity and improve outcomes.

Our common goal is to get the end user the best product that they can possibly get. And that starts with safety and it moves into efficiencies. And then obviously the quality of product as well. And I think when you nail all three of those things, we've done a very good job, but we continue to push forward.

— Bob, Pool Nation Podcast

The Courage to Challenge Industry Giants

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of The New Three movement is the courage these companies have shown in challenging established industry practices. Going up against billion-dollar companies with entrenched market positions isn't for the faint of heart, yet these three manufacturers have committed to this path because they believe it's right for the industry.

You really put your neck out there when you're going up against some of the biggest names or billion dollar companies that have been doing it a certain way for so long. And you guys come together saying, hey, look, there's a better way. And we think we have a solution for you.

— Edgar De Jesus, Pool Nation Podcast

This isn't just about creating alternative products - it's about fundamentally changing how the industry operates. The New Three are proving that companies can collaborate without losing their competitive edge, and that customer-centric innovation can drive real business success.

Impact on Pool Professionals and End Customers

The real test of any industry innovation isn't in the boardroom - it's in the field. Pool professionals who have worked with The New Three solutions report significant improvements in installation efficiency, system reliability, and customer satisfaction. More importantly, they appreciate having genuine choices based on what's best for each specific application rather than being locked into predetermined system configurations.

For end customers, this translates to better performance, improved safety features, and higher efficiency - all while working with pool professionals who have the freedom to recommend the best possible solutions for their specific needs.

The Road Ahead: Scaling Innovation

The New Three aren't resting on their early success. With systems already scaling into thousands of new pools, they're continuing to refine their collaboration and expand their impact. The movement represents more than just these three companies - it's a proof of concept for how the entire pool industry could operate differently.

As more pool professionals experience the benefits of this approach, and as other manufacturers see the success of genuine collaboration over competition, The New Three may well be the catalyst for broader industry transformation. The question isn't whether this approach works - the results speak for themselves. The question is how quickly the rest of the industry will adapt to this new paradigm.

The pool industry stands at a crossroads. Pool professionals can continue accepting 'good enough' solutions, or they can embrace the innovation and freedom that The New Three represent. For an industry built on creating amazing experiences in people's backyards, the choice seems clear: it's time to move from good enough to great.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 05:30 What is The New Three Movement
• 12:15 Industry Challenges and Innovation Gaps
• 18:45 How Three Companies Collaborate
• 25:20 Breaking Vendor Lock-in Systems
• 32:10 Real-World Impact and Results
• 38:40 Future of Pool Industry Innovation