47 LEAPFROG:SPN Master pages 11/3/09 22:46 Page 1
spnfeature
Leapfrogging
into the market!
The background of a new distinctive range of
swimming pool accessories has its routes in
Robin Ellis’ design and engineering background
– and the arrival 30 years ago of one of the most
famous products in pool cleaning
T
he launch of the Leapfrog distinctive and development of the cleaners travelling
new range of patented pool care between the USA and South Africa.
equipment is only the first step for Robin has a strong engineering
owner, designer and creator of the range background and was promoted to Director
Robin Ellis. for Global Quality in 1995.
The products were seen last month at Barracuda was purchased by Zodiac in
SPATEX for the first time – exclusively 1996 and Robin was appointed Director of
distributed by Fairlocks Pool Products and Research and Development. He met Kate,
received a ‘wow’ rating from customers. his now wife in South Africa, when she was
The fact that Robin’s name is behind the appointed Managing Director of Barracuda
range will act as a quality statement. He South Africa. They moved to Florida where
has 30 years of experience in the trade Kate took over as President and Chief
and was, in the 1980s the person who Executive of Zodiac Pool Care Inc. and
bought the famous Barracuda pool cleaner Robin became Vice President of Research
into the UK. and Development.
The Leapfrog range of accessories are Robin left Zodiac in 2006 and began the
stronger but not heavier than other products process of setting up Leapfrog.
on the market, have secure locking systems Kate joined Robin in this business in
and are supplied with adaptors, to allow January 2008.
non-Leapfrog attachments to be used. He added: “I have loved and continue to
The range includes: love the development process. It was a
telescopic pole positive decision for me to find and
the world’s first auto-levelling pool brush develop good product designs. The whole
TOP: The Leapfrog range creator Robin
the first manual pool cleaner / vacuum Leapfrog range of products started in June
Ellis with the products at SPATEX
head, to use automatic pool cleaner 2007. We hade some ideas of what we ABOVE: Customers admire the range on
technology wanted but we took our time, were careful
the Fairlocks stand
a gunite manual pool cleaner and didn’t rush things. Quality and
producing something which will become
Robin Ellis only had one thought in mind established in the specialist trade for a Fairlocks Managing Director Paul Webb
when he launched the Leapfrog range – to long while was always our objective. We said the response from customers who saw
see it as the start of a range of set out to offer the trade something it the range at the show was dramatic.
developments in the specialist trade. needed rather than just another accessory “Everyone loved it. It’s very distinctive,
“The intention has been to establish range. I think we have done that.” has unique features and above all is a high
Leapfrog as a market leader in the design, He said he had hoped the Leapfrog quality range.”
development and marketing of top quality range would be ready for Lyons last Robin’s spent two days at the SPATEX
pool care equipment. The introduction of autumn and the big European show “but show and added “I’ve been very impressed
the new accessories is the first phase of we just weren’t ready”. by the hard work and determination of the
this work.” “There’s not a product in the Leapfrog trade, there’s been some good times in this
When he brought the Barracuda Pool range we don’t have a patent for and trade but now for the first time it’s a
cleaner to the UK, introducing a new that’s been key.” question of everybody getting off their
cleaner to the UK market was not easy but Explains Robin: ”There were two things backsides and working. spn
Robin worked hard in recruiting Barracuda we were looking for in a distributor. We
dealers across the UK and the ranks swelled wanted a company who would get behind
FAIRLOCKS POOL PRODUCTS
as more of them realised this was a better and push the product aggressively and we
telephonesolid 01865 988346
auto cleaner than any other on the market. wanted to know the product was important
envelopeback
info@fairlocks.co.uk
He became more involved in the research for them. We found that in Fairlocks.”
pc
www.fairlocks.co.uk
Visit our website at
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk APRIL 09 swimming pool news 47
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