Historic Milestone in the Automatic Pool Cover Industry

Posted on by Bruce

I’ve been on a 6 year mission to unite the 5 major US automatic safety cover manufacturers to work together to bring about industry change.

It has always been my belief that if we could unite the industry, we could work together to develop international swimming pool and spa codes that would protect and enhance the industry, and create consumer rebate programs to help pool owners cover part of their investment. This has not been an easy task as the auto cover industry has experienced over 25 years of bad blood, heavy competition and multiple law suits filed between the companies. But I had hope, and a belief that time could heal all wounds and we could put aside the past and come together as a united force for change.
In early 2015 I reported that 4 of the 5 manufacturers had united under the APSP banner and gone to Washington DC to meet with our Senators and Congressmen to get their support as we approached the EPA. Our first year goal was to take the support we gathered from our senators and approach the EPA to see if we could get certified by them for their WaterSense program. If we can get the EPA to certify automatic pool covers over all other cover types, we have a good shot of taking that certification to water and power companies and getting consumer rebates.
The EPA did put us on their docket, and asked us to provide reports, studies and backing data so they could start the evaluation process and show that there is in fact a definite differentiation between auto covers and all other cover types.. We spent the rest of 2015 obtaining the required data and we were also able to meet with and show what we had accomplished so far with the 5th and final manufacturer that was still not part of our group.
I am happy to report that on March 14th, 2016, History was made as all 5 major US manufacturers of automatic swimming pool covers came together in Washington DC as a single unified group. Together with the Government Relations attorney from the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) and our professional industry Lobbyist from WGW, we met with the EPA to deliver our data and the just released study. We also met with and the congressmen and senators from our home states, reported what we had worked on in 2015 and that we were on the EPA’s docket, but this time…we asked for their assistance.
We were greeted warmly and were recognized by the senior staff members who had met with us the year before. We got the distinct feeling we were no longer a long shot or an unknown; we had survived and actually gotten in the EPA queue, provided a study and other needed documents without the use of their help or EPA manpower or taxpayer money. And, unlike last year, we were now had 100% industry participation and true staying power. According to all the senators, staffers and the EPA, having 100% of the industry was the most impressive feat alone was impressive to them.
This year EVERY office we talked with was on board to help. They are willing to write letters and make phone calls…and even more impressive and amazing…several are working together to put language into the EPA’s budget asking the EPA to consider approving our project!

Grogg Appointed to ICC ISPSC Code Committee for 2015 – 2017

Posted on by Bruce
I was referred by the APSP head of Government Relations to the ICC as a candidate to serve on the International Code Committee’s (ICC) Swimming Pool and Spa Code Committee (ISPSC) for the 2015 to 1017 term. This is a very prestigious appointment if you get one, as these are the committees that review, edit, change and approve all international building codes.
I was contacted by the ICC and asked to submit all documentation of qualification, and once they reviewed it…I was offered one of the 23 spots on the 2015 to 2017 committee.
ISPSC Code Hearing Info

Grogg Pushes PCS to Record Breaking Year

Posted on by Bruce

Pool Cover Specialists 2012 Gross Sales Best in Company's 29-Year History

Pool Cover Specialists National, Inc., the largest independently-owned automatic-swimming-pool-cover manufacturer in the world, announced today that company Gross Sales for 2012 surpassed 2011 by 22% and set a new all time company record.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, February 27, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ — Pool Cover Specialists National, Inc., the largest independently-owned automatic-swimming-pool-cover manufacturer in the world, announced today that company Gross Sales for 2012 surpassed 2011 by 22% and set a new record for the highest annual gross sales in the company’s 29 year history.
“The year started out a little rough when we caught our CFO with her hand in the proverbial cookie jar, so I really wasn’t sure how the rest of the year was going to go,” stated Wes Mathis, Co-Chair Board Of Directors for Pool Cover Specialists. Mr. Mathis went on to say: “Our management team is led by Bruce Grogg and what he pulled off is incredible. He pulled us all together and rallied the troops and implemented a multi-stage plan to get us back on track and it worked! On January 1, 2013, I received a welcome phone call from Mr. Grogg, letting me know the company was in excellent shape and that it was official; Pool Cover Specialists had in fact set a new gross sales record in 2012, making it our best year in the company’s history.”
“Talk about a Phoenix like comeback! Not only did we fully recover and have the best year ever, we also made major capital improvements and renovated our Eastern manufacturing plant, and we pulled the trigger on our long term major equipment purchases and upgrades,” said Bruce Grogg, CEO of Pool Cover Specialists. Mr. Grogg went on to say: “By mid-season we were doing so well we purchased a new fifty foot Miller welder for our Indiana factory, we picked up a couple new Miller Webbing Welders for both U.S. factories and we invested in new computerized high output cutting equipment, making our output literally 200% to 300% more per day. I have to congratulate my team for all of this because none of this would have been possible without every single one of them pulling together to make it happen.”
About Pool Cover Specialists National, Inc. (Pool Cover Specialists) poolcovers.com
Pool Cover Specialists National, Inc. is a global manufacturer of ASTM Certified automatic, manual and pin-down cover systems for swimming pools, spas, and swim spas. With bi-coastal manufacturing hubs in the U.S. and two international sister plants helping serve Europe and New Zealand/Australia, Pool Cover Specialists prides itself on its fast and accurate delivery times; its commitment to customer service; its superior warranties; its state-of-the-art technology; and its large product line, which provides its customers with the widest array of proprietary (and custom) solutions available. 
Pool Cover Specialists’ 29 years of success continues to be driven by innovation, product quality, customer service and technical support. Pool Cover Specialists’ global strategy includes the continued expansion of its domestic and international dealer/distributor network, supported by the continued deployment of regional manufacturing/shipping hubs and branch sales and service offices worldwide. For more information contact 800-369-5152 or visit www.poolcovers.com 
CONTACT: Bill McFarland, Pool Cover Specialists Corporate Communications Director: 800-369-5152
billm@poolcovers.com
Press Release

Grogg Becomes President of Pacific Financial

Posted on by Bruce

LODI, Calif., June 30, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Pacific Financial Solutions, Inc. (Pink Sheets:PFUO), a leader in providing Cashless ATM and Wireless POS devices, Merchant Processing, and Self Serve Kiosks, utilizing Pacific's Point-of-Banking (PBT) terminal technology, announced today Bruce Grogg is the new President of Pacific Financial Solutions Banking Services Division.

This division of Pacific Financial Solutions, Inc. (Pacific) owns, operates and manages custom Point of Banking Terminals (PBT’s) for corporate and business clients nationwide.
“As a recent Consultant on staff (COS), Mr. Grogg has been extremely successful in placing Pacific on the right track for rapid growth through implementation of new sales and marketing solutions,” commented Clifford Goehring, Pacific’s Chairman. “Mr. Grogg’s understanding of the complexities of our company mission and his experience in business development, sales, and operational experience prompted the offer and acceptance of Mr. Grogg to the position of president. We have enormous trust that Mr. Grogg’s demonstrated abilities will continue to increase revenues, and help insure the continued improvement in our shareholder value.”
Bruce Grogg brings to Pacific over 20 years of corporate leadership and entrepreneurial experience. Mr. Grogg is best recognized for his work with Hooked on Phonics and was instrumental in the company’s growth from a small start-up to a $250 million giant in the education industry. Mr. Grogg has International finance experience with M&A’s, senior management positions in addition to corporate training at EntreX Pty Ltd. in Australia, Gateway Worldwide Pty Ltd. in England, and Nippack International in Japan. Mr. Grogg was founder and CEO of the International BizNetCard.com, Inc. which held 5 patents, and operated manufacturing and sales facilities in the U.S., Canada and Japan. Mr. Grogg comes to us from his most recent position as CEO and President of QuickRecords, Inc., a professional corporate compliance company that developed and marketed an online automated Corporate Records Compliance solution.
“The opportunities Pacific has operational and under development are incredible, and I am eager to have a part in bringing all of them to fruition,” stated Bruce Grogg, Pacific Financial Solutions Banking Services’ new President. He added: “I look forward to building Pacific’s PBT division into an exceptionally profitable element of Pacific’s overall business strategy.”
About Pacific
Pacific Financial Solutions Inc., a premier global distributor of financial services and products, provides its customers with an array of kiosk enabling devices. Pacific is comprised of three integrated divisions: Consumer Services, providing customer care, Point-of-Banking terminals (PBTs), and Product Service and Maintenance. Pacific is the location services provider (LSP) to national and regional retail merchants. Pacific’s continued success is driven by corporate sales, ISO’s and mergers and acquisitions. Pacific’s global strategy centers on escalating its single and multi-use kiosk enabling devices worldwide.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the company’s actual results or outcome to be materially different from those anticipated and discussed herein. These include the company’s historic lack of profitability, end user customer acceptance and actual demand, which may differ significantly from expectations, the need for the company to manage its growth, the need to raise funds for operations and other risks within the regulation of the industry.
For more information, call Pacific at 877-649-0016 or visit their website at www.pfuo.com.
Pacific Financial Solutions, Inc. Barbara Thomas (209) 339-4460
Link to Press Release