A Year of Auto Pool Cover Efficiency, Customer Focus, and Reliability: Pool Patrol Looks Back on 2024

Efficiency was the name of the game for Pool Patrol in 2024. We spent the year streamlining our systems to serve you better — and it worked! Here’s to another great year in automatic pool covers.

When Pool Patrol owner Allan Horwood thinks back on the last year, one word comes to mind for the automatic pool cover company: Efficiency.

“I think we did a hell of a job,” Allan reflects on the year that brought in more business, better systems, and an even higher level of customer service. 

“Pool Patrol has done such a fantastic job adjusting and pivoting in the post-COVID era,” he explains. “Our numbers are still well above our volume, but in a much more sustainable way.” 

In the face of increased demand year-over-year, the small but mighty team has managed to stay at the top of their game, installing automatic pool covers to keep families safe across the province of British Columbia.

Efficiency, Customer Focus, and Reliability

There were a few different moving parts that came together for Pool Patrol’s success in 2024.  

“We've removed a lot of inefficiencies recently, which is great,” says Allan.

New software = more time for customers
First, the team implemented a new software program to help manage the nitty gritty of the pool cover business — from scheduling jobs to invoicing and even keeping pool measurements and other vital information all in one place. 

“It provides the customer with a much better experience,” says Allan. 

Even better, the software frees Allan up to spend more time talking with customers one-on-one.  

“That’s the beauty of this kind of efficiency,” he explains. “I have more time to help customers and personally take their calls. Better processes means better communication with my customers and better service.”

Streamlined offices
Pool Patrol services and installs automatic pool covers across the province from two locations: a head office in Vancouver and a satellite location in Kelowna. 

This year, the team separated the locations in order to keep calls streamlined and more organized. It’s been a huge success for improving efficiency and removing redundancies. 

Small but mighty
Pool Patrol’s team of pool cover specialists has remained consistent over the years and sees very little turnover. 

That kind of industry knowledge and personal touch makes all the difference when it comes to the high level of service Pool Patrol provides — particularly in an industry with a specialized skill set like automatic pool cover maintenance and installation.

There are no trade school programs teaching the kinds of skills required for automatic pool cover specialists, so every member of the team has been carefully trained under more experienced team members, almost like an apprenticeship. 

At the same time, Allan provides great wages, benefits, and flexibility to his employees, perks that are built on a bed of trust between employer and employee. 

The result is low employee turnover, consistent, high-quality service, and familiar smiling faces helping you with your pool cover. 

Being able to see the same faces over the years is also a comfort for customers, who are welcoming the specialist into their backyards. 

Focus on fun
All of these advancements combine to allow Allan and the team to do what they do best — have a great time. 

“This job is a lot of fun — it’s a great product that keeps families safe. I get to work with amazing people and provide a really high level of service. What more could you want?”

The road to 2024

The road to today’s efficiency was paved several years ago, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic, when the pandemic caused a sharp increase in pool business between 2021 and 2022. 

As the auto pool cover company kept pace with demand, they kept their heads down and worked as hard as they could. 

Once that first period settled down, Allan was able to take the time to think about how to continue building the business sustainably. Going through it was one thing, but what Allan was really looking forward to was seeing how the company would come out on the other side. 

“We took the time to regroup, and it was amazing,” he says. 

Pool Patrol fine-tuned its approach, and while supply chain shortages became the norm in other businesses, Allan relied on the valued relationships he had built over the years to overcome any challenges that would arise. 

“It’s no longer a just-in-time approach,” Allan told us back in April 2022. “You need to have safe stock and communicate.”

The strategizing paid off, and Pool Patrol maintained its supply, high level of service, and, importantly, communication. Transparent communication has always been at the core of the company’s way of working. 

Rooted in values

Pool Patrol’s continued growth and success can also be attributed to staying true to its values. 

Founded in 1995 by Allan Horwood with a van and a dream, Pool Patrol has always focused on four core values: to create safer spaces, foster relationships, never stop improving, and always local.

Create safer spaces: Above all else, the most important benefit of an automatic pool cover is the safety it provides for your backyard. Pool Patrol protects families in their homes through premium, durable pool safety covers.

Foster relationships: Whether we met yesterday or a decade ago, Pool Patrol prides itself on the relationships it builds, whether with our customers, suppliers, or team.

Never stop improving: Pool Patrol holds itself to the highest possible standard when it comes to your safety and our products.

Always local: Pool Patrol was born in Vancouver and will always remain a local company serving the province we call home. 

Looking ahead to 2025

For 2025, Pool Patrol expects to continue to grow sustainably, build relationships with you and our suppliers, and provide the same high level of service we hold ourselves to.

Here’s to another fantastic year! 

Pool Patrol has been keeping families in British Columbia safe with quality automatic pool covers since 1995. If you’re curious about a pool cover installation in your backyard, contact Pool Patrol today.