A note from the field, courtesy of Chuck Sinks, Regional Director of Business Advising in San Diego –
Despite the economic downturn, All-Safe Pools has remained an extremely successful Southern California family-owned small business. All-Safe’s sales have gradually increased over the last three three, regardless of the contracting business environment.
From 2008 to 2009, commercial bankruptcies increased 44% among the nation’s small businesses. In a time when many companies were failing, All-Safe nimbly adapted to the changing economic environment by making some critical changes to their business model.
In 2008, as the recession took hold of the economy, All-Safe brought its previously outsourced production in-house. This decision reduced costs, increased the quality of their products and ultimately added more local jobs. As well, All-Safe focused on diversifying their product offerings, increasing rental revenue of their recently introduced Dance Floor Pool Cover by 41% in 2011.
What is perhaps most impressive about All-Safe is their dedication to their employees. All-Safe remained dedicated to quality and safety through the entirety of the recession while simultaneously increasing local employment opportunities. Beyond paying their employees well, All-Safe also implemented an innovative employee training program that enabled the company to offer full-time employment opportunities to previously part-time staff members. This cross-seasonal training program, which enables employees to work different positions throughout the year, provides stability for their employees and predictability for the company.
All-Safe currently employs 29 full-time staff members and is planning to hire 8 more in the near future. Many of All-Safe’s employees are close family members, and there are three different father-son combinations on the team. It’s quite clear that All-Safe’s investment in their employees has certainly paid off; the average tenure of an All-Safe employee is 8.2 years!
All-Safe strongly believes in supporting and strengthening their local community. All-Safe partners with several organizations and agencies such as the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, Consumer Products Safety Commission, Local Fire Authorities, Children’s Hospitals, Swim Schools and Safe Kids Coalitions to promote drowning awareness and pool safety.
All-Safe also works closely with foster care and adoption agencies to provide a safe environment for the children of the families it serves. All-Safe has been awarded the pool safety contract with the Child Abuse Prevention Center seven consecutive years. Among the considerations for this award are the applicant’s experience, number of installations, number of employees, insurance coverage, recommendation letters and pricing. As one of the building blocks of a healthy home, All-Safe installs a fence around the pool prior to the placement of a child in a home for adoption or foster care.
Pool Builders, Pool Supply Stores, Pool Technicians, Swim School Instructors, Real Estate Agents and Pediatricians are some of the professionals that recognize All-Safe as an industry leader and refer their clients to the company.
All-Safe is a superb family-owned small business that strengthens the local economy, provides economic opportunities and a great work environment for their employees, and most importantly, saves lives.
-Chuck, Business Advising