Business Franchise Australia and New Zealand 9AussiE pool frAncHis E opEns nEW
HEAdquArtErs in us
Award winning pool and spa care
franchise Poolwerx has marked its second
anniversary in the US by purchasing the
largest independent pool retailer in north
Texas, and unveiling a new 10,000-square-
foot head office in Dallas.
John O’Brien, CEO and Founder of Poolwerx,
said the new facility was perfectly located
to support franchisees across America as
Poolwerx expands.
“With our recent acquisition of Dallas-based
Dolphin Pool Supply, the timing was right to
relocate our operations to the Dallas facility,”
said Mr O’Brien
“Dolphin Pool Supply is one of the largest
hot-tub retailers in Texas and has a substantial
remodelling business, which should help
Poolwerx penetrate further into those
segments and provide an opportunity for
learning we can transfer to our Australian
operations also.”
Dolphin Pool Supply’s three previous owners,
Doug and Rose Carlson and Larry Collier,
will remain with the business to coach and
mentor Poolwerx staff.
“Dolphin has always put our customers first
and foremost and I know that Poolwerx does
tHAnks AustrAli A! 13,
printEr cArtridgEs rEcyclEd
EVEry Working dAy
Australians have made history this year
by recycling a record 13,500 printer
cartridges every working day, making it
the biggest year ever since the launch of
the ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ program.
In total, over 3.5 million cartridges were
returned for recycling, which is equivalent to
6 backyard swimming pools every week!
Ryan Collins, Recycling Programs Manager
at Planet Ark, says a key factor in this success
is the willingness to participate the scheme,
which ensures responsible management of
environmental impact. Collectively, the
participating cartridge manufacturers Brother,
Canon, Epson, HP, Konica Minolta and
Kyocera have helped Australians recycle 34
million cartridges since 2003.
“Working within a closed loop or circularthat also,” Mr Carlson said.
Since entering the US market in 2015,
Poolwerx has established 24 stores and 115
service vehicles in six US states and Mr
O’Brien said the company was on track to
achieve their goal of opening 300 locations by
2021.
“As the largest pool and spa care franchise
in Australia, I always wanted to take thecompany to America because of the sheer size
and opportunities within the marketplace,”
Mr O’Brien said. “It’s not insurmountable
to believe Poolwerx could become a major
force in the pool industry in the US, and in
franchising, very quickly.”
He said the company plans to cover the
Dallas market aggressively and has taken
deposits from prospects interested in five new
territories.process, like the ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’
program, which allows us to recover and reuse
valuable materials and keep them circulating,
is essential. It doesn’t make good business
sense to send useful and valuable materials
to landfill, when they can be salvaged and
directed back into the economy. We’re
particularly proud of the fact that the program
has consistently achieved zero waste to landfill
every year,” Collins said.
Printer cartridges can take 1,000 years to
break down, and e-waste is the fastest-growing
form of waste. Rapid innovation, decrease in
product lifespan and declining prices have
led to more and more items being discarded.
So it’s vital, for the environment and a viable
manufacturing industry, that the concept of a
closed loop production cycle is embraced.
Overall, Australian consumers are supportive
of responsible waste management and
recycling. In a recent study, 82% of
participants stated that they will recycle even
if it takes more effort.
For more information or to get involved visit
http://www.cartridges.planetark.org