make sure that they have seen it and that they are going to respond to it,” Wiltshire explains. This proactive approach helps maintain the integrity of the MPG brand while providing members with the support they need to uphold their reputations in a competitive industry. However, there was a period that many remember when players in the pool construction industry could barely move let alone compete. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges and opportunities to the pool industry. At the onset, many MPG members feared a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis, with concerns that the industry would suffer significant setbacks. HOWEVER, THE OPPOSITE OCCURRED. “The overwhelming majority of our members were able to maintain operations and stay open when other industries were closed down,” Wiltshire says. Declared an essential service by the White House, the pool industry experienced a surge in demand as people sought to enhance their homes and create outdoor spaces for leisure and relaxation. People wanted to stay home and in most cases, they had no choice, especially with travel no longer being an option. So, if they had the funds available to build a pool, that’s what many sought to do. MPG’s strong relationships with vendor partners proved invaluable during this period. Key partnerships with companies like Pentair, Hayward, and Fluidra facilitated the movement of equipment and supplies, allowing members to meet the skyrocketing demand despite widespread supply chain disruptions. The two-year boom in pool construction pushed members to their limits, but MPG provided the support needed to navigate this intense period, even offering seminars on stress management to help members cope with the pressures of increased workload. ADDRESSING THE SKILLED LABOR SHORTAGE The shortage of skilled labor has been a persistent challenge in the pool industry, exacerbated by the demands of the COVID-19 boom. In response, MPG, in collaboration with PHTA, has implemented several initiatives to attract new talent to the industry. PHTA’s apprenticeship program and the Work in Aquatics website are key components of this effort, 35 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 09 MASTER POOLS GUILD
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx