It seems as if everything that could have gone wrong in 2020 did, and the pool industry’s chemical supply chain disruption was no exception. But, as we saw from the pandemic, with every disaster comes a new opportunity.
In August 2020, Hurricane Laura struck the largest trichlor chemical plant amidst a pool season that was expected to stretch into fall because people were using their pools more than ever before. This summer, and likely many that come after it, will be no different.
Navigating the storm
Does this summer’s chlorine shortage have to stunt your business’ growth? Absolutely not.
Following concerns over COVID-19 and chemical supplies, pool owners are more open to new means of sanitation than ever before. For pool professionals, the shortage is an opportunity to be the hero and give customers water that’s healthier than it was before.
Whether your business is new to alternative sanitation methods or wants to ensure your current alternative meets industry standards, you need to know what to look for.
Sailing to success with the right alternative
Before offering your customers a new alternative, make sure it meets these three qualifications:
1. Tried and true tactics that work
Look for solutions that have been proven to work under a variety of conditions, from small vessels such as spas and plunge pools to large-scale public facilities such as leisure pools and waterparks. With homeowners spending more time in their pools, your alternative should go above and beyond home pool sanitation capabilities. For example, chlorine stood the test of time because it works on nearly any pool size – but that’s not the case for all AOP methods.
By choosing an alternative that can scale up to waterparks, you can trust it to give customers lasting healthy, fresh-feeling water quality all summer long.
2. Simplify your journey
Time is money. If you have regular turnover or limited staff, your alternative shouldn’t take hours to train on special tools and lamp handling or require plumbing reconfigurations on large installations. To eliminate the guesswork for you and customers, select an alternative with its own live customer support team.
Remember, customer service shouldn’t just “exist” or double as sales reps. Your alternative’s customer support team should be in the United States and available for you and your customers to contact.
3. Supplies on hand for the journey
Product availability or lack thereof can sink your ship. In addition to chemical shortages, the pool industry has struggled to meet customers’ expectations for delivery and timeliness. This summer, pool businesses can’t afford to rely on unpredictable product gap outs. Look for “Made in the USA” alternatives with dependable supplies and lead times.
Setting sail with your alternative offering
Don’t weather this storm alone, use vendor resources to promote and sell your alternative. To help pool businesses navigate chemical shortages, alternative sanitation companies have created marketing campaigns.
For example, Chlorine Independence Day provides free and easy-to-use marketing materials to promote Clear Comfort’s reliable, available AOP pool sanitation that uses drinking-water chlorine levels. The free materials include in-store displays, emails, social media images and more.
Even with chemical shortages, you have no shortage of business this summer. With a proven alternative that supports your sales, marketing, staff and customers, you’ll spend less time troubleshooting unhappy customers and more time growing your business.
To help your pool business find the best sanitation alternative, download your free checklist here.
