Business North November 2021

| 101 There’s no better way to ‘upgrade your landscape’ Auckland Inground Pools owners Donna and Kerry Richmond. Auckland Inground Pools LANDSCAPING T Sue Russell D onna Richmond, co-owner of Auckland Inground Pools says she has seen a noticeable increase in interest by home-owners to invest in upgrading their landscape, and outdoor living area with the addition of a pool and perhaps a spa. She puts this down in part to COVID. “It’s even more noticeable now where people are spending more time at home and choosing to improve their own environment,” says Donna. Donna and Kerry established Auckland Inground Pools in 1999 however Kerry’s experience in the industry stems back to when he left school in 1993. While he is actively involved in construction and project manage- ment Donna takes care of the necessary sales process, planning, HR and administration to keep the busy company ticking along well. Auckland Inground Pools is based in Drury, toward the southern Auckland boundary, however it undertakes pool construction pro- jects from Northland to the Bay Of Plenty and anywhere in between. Donna says the success of the business, operating in a competitive industry, comes down to all staff, with their attention to detail, approachability, and consistently high stand- ards of service and workmanship. “We both really enjoy engaging with cus- tomers or their designers to help them decide just what is the perfect pool for them, taking into account their property and their budget. We know it is important to provide them with realistic, feasible options and to work through any questions they have at the outset,” says Donna. The company offers a complete construc- tion service. Their in-house skill set includes excavation, steel works, shotcrete, plumbing, tiling, plastering and the like. “It means clients will always see a familiar face on site. During the planning phase, we are able to refer and work alongside a custom- er’s chosen team of experienced landscape architects to provide landscaping options.” They also engage an agent to handle Coun- cil consenting processes; alleviating the stress and time that this process can sometimes create. This is a real family business, with fami- ly values at its core; even the couple’s two daughters help out when not engaged in their University studies. The business has been a member of SPASA (NZ Swimming Pool and Spa Association), for a couple of years and this year, Donna and Kerry decided it was time to enter their annual awards; to see how they performed against other association members. At this year’s awards Auckland Inground Pools received four gold awards; for NZ Concrete Lap Pool, Renovation over $30,000, Concrete Pool up to $120,000 and Concrete Pool over $120,000. A stunning result Donna says exemplifies the quality of the team they employ. “We were absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition. We’re a small company, with just six of us full-time, and have chosen to remain so, so to take out these awards was really wonderful.” At times when there’s high demand for projects to be completed, Donna and Kerry employ part-time contract staff, particularly over the summer months. Auckland Inground Pools has undertaken a wide range of pool construction projects, in- cluding rest home pools, school pool restora- tion, along with residential brand new builds, replacing old pools while also offering full pool restoration service. Kerry is quite involved as an executive member with the NZ Pool Guild and Donna says that belonging to this organisation along with SPASA gives customers the reassurance that the business conducts itself professional- ly and operates to high standards. “SPASA is instrumental in introducing NZQA qualification in the industry. This means that an apprenticeship / educational pathway will in time be established which we really welcome.” Looking back on their journey in business Donna says it is always especially gratifying to have many return customers. Word-of- mouth, is definitely their best form of advertis- ing. “I think too the fact we are a husband and wife team and a family business makes a difference. We are also always striving to see what is new out there in the industry as far as new products and innovations go, and are always involving our staff with education and upskilling.” Global Tile are proud to support Auckland Inground Pools Ltd Distributors of Hide Skimmer Lids and proud of our association with Auckland Inground Pools