International business tour unlocks million-dollar growth for Poolwerx

Big business is on the rise at Poolwerx with more than 10 percent of its Australian franchise network set to achieve turnover of more than $3 million within the next five years.

The goal was spurred by a business exploration tour to the United States, where a contingent of top performing Australian Franchise Partners spent the week reviewing operations of their larger international counterparts.

Poolwerx Australian COO Andrew Kidd, who initiated the trip, said 50 percent of its American network generated between $3 to $8 million turnover and the visit proved the potential to reach similar scale in Australia.

“This was an inaugural trip to leverage our power as an international brand and give our Australian Franchise Partners more insight into the enormity of the industry and how they can harness it,” he said.

“Our partners in the US are large and most have been in the industry for decades, prior to converting to Poolwerx, so they have an immense amount of business management skill to share and we wanted to tap into that expertise,” he said.

“The models and market might be slightly different between the two countries, but the underlying challenges and opportunities experienced as a business owner are very similar.

“Our franchise owners were able to see how a multi-million-dollar operation needs to be led and managed. They learned how staffing could be scaled and controlled. They realised decisions should be based on data not emotion and utilising our model’s proprietary financial systems to its full capacity is imperative to being able to achieve this. Overall, they took away how vital it was for them to focus on the strategic direction of the business, and accurately understand how to measure business profitability.”

Malcolm Price, owner of Poolwerx Turramurra in New South Wales and Poolwerx’ highest performing franchise, said the trip was invaluable in helping confirm his long-term business goals.

“Visiting our business in the US really broadened the lens at which I look at my business and gave me a moment to distil what is possible and what is important to me,” he said.  

“This industry has been historically embedded in the perception that the owner has to be working on the day-to-day aspects of the business, but you need to follow more of a corporate culture to run a big business effectively. You must be focused on the strategic drivers to reach the $5-$10 million level.”

Mr Price said he planned to hit $5 million in his business within the next two to three years.

“There are clear economies of scale if you have the right structure and team and you keep a tight rein on inventory. I was able to witness Poolwerx franchise owners running a business with 24 vehicles and multiple stores, while not losing sight of the clients and service intimacy the brand is proud to provide.

“There is no denying what I experienced on this trip has given me the confidence I am with the right system to support my growth and that it is possible to replicate big business success in Australia too.”

Mr Price said his priority was to ensure the right people were in place to assist him in taking the business to the next level.

Mr Kidd said the company proposed to make the trip a permanent initiative as part of the growth planning process for high performing Franchise Partners.

“We have always had a focus on growth with a clear business development path for our Franchise Partners. Our aim is for this week-long international learning experience to be part of the next level training for those with large business aspirations.” 

www.poolwerx.com.au