High Tech Pools

A Legacy of Pristine Pool Design

 

Solidifying 66 years of construction expertise with turnkey technology

Out of the many players in the highly competitive pool construction sector, one company, High Tech Pools, certainly deserves recognition because it has not only outpaced its competitors but has been doing so for decades!

Founded in Cleveland, Ohio, by the Hammerschmidt family, this company has been a trusted name since 1958. What started as a small residential pool-building operation quickly expanded into a family business quickly expanded in size, scope, and reputation.

Today, just like back then, regardless of industry conditions, the company’s adaptable performance never falters. The company employs an excellent blend of operational efficiency and carefully nurtured partnerships.

The company’s leaders ensure that relationships with key suppliers, local businesses, and industry networks remain strong, viewing it as the key to stable operations.

So, the focus is always on collaboration and quality, which allows High Tech Pools to secure better pricing and more efficient service and strengthen its presence as an industry frontrunner.

Practices like investing in ongoing training programs for employees, particularly in the latest technologies and pool maintenance techniques, have been crucial to delivering exceptional service.

All of these methods combined have resulted in streamlined internal processes — from project management to customer service — improved efficiency and client satisfaction and a consistent flow of referrals that drive repeat business.

High Tech Pools is a well-rounded captain of its industry, recognized for its innovation, commitment to quality, and exceptional customer relationships. As the company continues to expand, it will undoubtedly become the go-to name for pool construction and maintenance in North America.

 

A Family Company Bolstered by Strong In-House Service

High Tech Pools’ legacy has been handed down from father to son to grandson.

“During my dad’s era, he basically doubled the size of the business in terms of revenue, as well as employees. He was making about five to eight million dollars a year,” says President, Operations Manager, and Owner Jerry Hammerschmidt, who joined the company in 2010, working his way up from a warehouse manager to an operations manager, eventually earning his current role as a majority owner in 2024.

Under his leadership, the company has seen exponential growth relative to even his father’s time running the company.

“We have about 65 to 75 employees depending on the time of year, and I have subsequently doubled the size of the business from when I started in 2010. We’re solidly in the mid-teens doing millions in revenue,” Hammerschmidt comments.

The company’s services primarily encompass large commercial sites, water parks, YMCAs, universities, high-end residential pools, spas, and fountains.

The majority of the construction process is handled in-house, which includes everything from digging and framing the pool to rebarring and plumbing to shotcrete, tile, plaster, and even filtration.

The company even has a maintenance division that exclusively maintains pools built by the company, which is vital to its success because approximately half of its business comes from commercial work.

This business split lies at the core of High Tech’s competitive advantage. Commercial projects are big and usually require a greater degree of customization, filtration control, and technological integration.

“Having experience with the complicated engineering that comes with these large commercial projects gives us expertise that we can then implement into our residential projects,” Hammerschmidt explains, referring to how High Tech’s residential usually have better hydraulics and pool systems that other pool builders on that same scale due to the difference in engineering knowledge.

Other companies are either unaware of or unaccustomed to that scale of complexity when it comes to smaller residential projects, so High Tech can effectively swim in its competitors’ lanes while preserving some exclusive space for itself.

This dynamic has created critically acclaimed results for the company, earning awards and recognition within the industry while giving it access to more community-integrated building opportunities.

Some great examples of this would be High Tech winning the International Pool Awards with the PHTA, Luxury Magazine’s pinnacle awards, and even getting the current opportunity to build a new pool for a high school in Sandusky, Ohio.

Community and Supplier-Based Partnerships to Strengthen Local Ties

High Tech Pools has built its reputation as one of North America’s top pool builders. Its commitment to excellence is driven not only by the products it offers but also by the relationships it nurtures with suppliers and within local communities.

“We’re a part of the Master Pools Guild, the Pool and Hot Tub Association (PHTA), and I’m accredited as a certified Master Pool Builder by the PHTA… on top of that, we’re also a MYRTHA Pool distributor,” Hammerschmidt explains.

The MYRTHA Pool partnership is particularly interesting because these stainless steel, panelized PVC membrane pools are the same ones used in Olympic swimming competitions.

High Tech Pools also has a philosophy of forging strong, long-term partnerships with manufacturers and distributors. “We don’t just buy from anyone. We build relationships with manufacturers that align with our values of quality and reliability,” Hammerschmidt says.

One core component of their business model is their exclusive partnership with Fluidra, a leading brand in the pool equipment industry.

This relationship ensures that when problems arise, Fluidra’s team is ready and willing to offer the assistance needed, fostering mutually beneficial loyalty on both sides.

Unlike many companies that chase profits by spreading their purchases across multiple brands, High Tech Pools understands the value of consistency.

“We’re not just buying products; we’re investing in a true partnership,” Hammerschmidt explains. “They understand that we’re loyal, and loyalty goes both ways.”

Similarly,  local relationships are also crucial to the company’s success.

A notable example is High Tech Pools’ collaboration with Vitalia Senior Living, a prominent retirement community builder in Ohio.

High Tech Pools has been Vitalia’s exclusive pool provider for all new retirement community projects. This partnership has allowed both businesses to align their operations seamlessly.

High Tech Pools has earned recognition for its contributions to the region, and the mayor even presented them with the keys to the city.

The local community clearly acknowledges the company’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and contributing to the city’s vibrancy.

 

Embracing Technology, Education, and the Future

High Tech Pools also values education, both for its employees and customers.

The company has partnered with industry-leading educational programs, such as the PHTA Genesis program, which provides advanced training for pool technicians.

This ensures that the company’s staff remains at the forefront of the industry, equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to tackle the most complex pool designs and maintenance challenges.

Additionally, through the Master Pools Guild,  High Tech Pools has gained access to cutting-edge technologies, such as nanobubbles and advanced pool automation systems, which are changing the way pools are designed and maintained.

“We learned about nanobubbles from the Guild, and now we’re using that technology to bring our pools to a whole new level,” Hammerschmidt confirms. This allows High Tech Pools to create pools with water quality so high that it surpasses even tap water while reducing the reliance on harmful chemicals like chlorine.

Looking ahead, High Tech Pools is poised to lead the industry in adopting new technologies. With advancements in pool automation and water sanitization, the company is already on the cutting edge.

The shift from traditional chlorine-based sanitation to more sustainable methods like nanobubbles and membrane filters represents the future of pool maintenance. These innovations simplify pool management, improve pool quality, and enhance customer experiences.

The company is also embracing the future of automation. By using the latest pool automation technologies, High Tech Pools is changing how pool owners interact with their pools.

The company’s new automation methods are like the difference between a flip phone and a smartphone. These new systems allow customers to monitor and control various aspects of their pools through an app, making pool management easier than ever.

In the next five years, High Tech Pools aims to continue leading the charge in pool technology, ensuring that their products not only meet but exceed customer expectations.

High Tech Pools’ ability to innovate while maintaining quality positions it as a long-term leader in the industry. Its success is built on a foundation of strong partnerships—both within the industry and in the local community.

The focus on loyalty, quality, and innovation has enabled it to stay ahead of the competition while consistently delivering exceptional results to its customers.

As the pool industry continues to evolve, High Tech Pools is positioned to remain at the forefront, leading the way with cutting-edge technologies and a customer-first approach.

Their dedication to excellence ensures that the company will thrive in the future and continue to set the standard for pool builders nationwide.

AT A GLANCE

High Tech Pools

What: A family-owned, leading pool construction and maintenance company specializing in residential, commercial, and community-based projects.

Where: Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, High Tech Pools serves clients across North America

Website: https://www.hightechpools.com