26-39 50th ANNIVERSARY:SPN Master pages 15/09/2009 10:22 Page 35
Celebrating 50 years of Swimming Pool News spnfeature
Bob Kent: ”In 1964 the price of a 30ft x 15ft pool cost the same as a semi
detached house. Business was easier in those days“
I started Certikin in 1961 on my mother’s The pool lights sold – many were
kitchen table making the ‘Certichlor’ in effect a 100 watt 240 volt bulb set
chlorinator – complete with a 240volt behind a sheet of glass... all very safe!!
supply! No circuit breakers in those days A total of 99% of the filters sold were
and this was possibly the most technical American and then in 1965 Lacron
product available at the time. introduced the world’s first fibre glass filter.
The biggest advantage I’d say in those For eight years I ran something called the
days was the introduction of plastic 2000 club, a promotion company financially
equipment followed by the liner pool supported by the suppliers – which brought
which came into force around 1971 – and in some £500,000 of advertising and
from this the market was able to evolve. promotion for the benefit of the pool trade.
During the 35 years I spent running Peter Geekie and I used to meet half way
Certikin I designed and developed innovative between Oxford and Horsham to set targets
products that changed the industry – from and agree aims. There was also a
pools lights, skimmers and a range of ABS committee that met once a month to decide
products and they enabled the company to where the adverts should be placed. In the
spread their wings into all areas of the globe. best year it was thought that the promotion
I invented and designed the first blow stimulated over 10,000 retail leads.
moulded filter – set up the first UK It changed or should I say moved forward
distributor network across the UK making when the PLC became involved – but at the
access to pool equipment far easier and same time it lost some of it’s ‘fellowship’...
accessible and at the same time assisting and fun factor – but that’s progress for you!!
the market growth – the aim then was to I once had a lady on the phone asking believed she was having a surreal
‘Certikinize’ the market – and it worked. what she felt was a very simple question. conversation with someone not in full
In 1964 the price of a 30ft x 15ft pool “Do you sell Fu?” I’m sorry I said... “Do possession and said wearily, ‘‘It’s for
cost the same as a semi detached house. you sell Fu‘ – I’m really sorry but I don’t something to do with testing the water, it
There were no plastic shimmers only understand. In a very agitated and raised says on the bottle pH”.
aluminium – the first plastic unit the voice she emphasized the “Fu, surely you
HD100 came in 1968. Sump pots were know what Fu is!?” I replied: “No, I’m Bob Kent is Managing Director of
again aluminium. sorry. What’s it for?‘’ – She now fully Mineral Supplies International Ltd
SIMON SAYS...
“UNLIKE JOLYGEL,
WE CAN’T SAVE YOUR
MARRIAGE, BUT WE
DO OFFER AN
UNRIVALLED SERVICE
FOR POOL SPARES!”
01252 511292
Pool Supplies Ltd
15 Osborne Road, Farnborough
Hampshire GU14 6AA
Tel: 01252 511292 Fax: 01252 501301
Email:
sales@poolsuppliesltd.com
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