PW-MAR20-46-47-Company-Profile.qxp_Feature 30/03/2020 15:44 Page 46
Company Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
North American editor Paul Ruben, reports on the latest developments from Aquatic Development Group
aquatic and municipal settings. All of its products and designs, from wave pools and rivers to surf rides and adventure lagoons, are developed on the basis of creating unique guest experiences that maximise in-park capacity, encourage incidental purchases, entice repeat visits, and increase length of stay. ADG has installed more than 90% of all wave systems in the US with its
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WaveTek technology and has provided design/build and equipment services to more than 4,000 public, scholastic, leisure resort, and amusement facilities worldwide.
Passion for pools ADG is housed in a 67,000 square foot (6,225 sq m) facility along the Hudson River in Cohoes, New York. 56% of that space, 37,500 square feet (3,484 sq m), is dedicated to manufacturing. What started in the 1950s as a commercial pool contracting business has blossomed into a global corporation with projects that span the globe. With the water park industry still in its infancy in the ‘50s, Herb Ellis
saw the potential for “recreational water environments” to become big business in the U.S. He formed ADG and refocused the company to one providing equipment, design, and construction management services to spur the growth and development of water parks throughout North America. He steered a large successful commercial pool business, committed to innovation in water quality, construction methods and guest experience, into what today is ADG. He took a part-time summer job in the commercial pool industry as a salesman working for Paddock Pools but by the late 1950s his passion for pools had evolved into a full-time career. He became CEO of Paddock Pools and grew the company to become the largest commercial pool contractor in the U.S., specializing in equipment manufacturing and construction. Since its
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quatic Development Group (ADG) designs and builds indoor and outdoor water parks and recreational water ride attractions for all types of venues from large amusement parks and resorts to smaller
founding, however, ADG no longer builds residential pools, unless someone wants to build a waterpark in their backyard. Ken Ellis, Herb’s son, began working under his father selling wave
equipment for ADG in 1985. From then on, he worked alongside his father to grow the company and advance opportunities for ADG. He took over the company and became President & CEO in 1990 where
he helped pioneer the design/build concept in the water park industry. In 1987 Jim Dunn joined the company. He worked in an architect’s
office for a few months after graduating from college and took a position at ADG as a draftsman. He is now president of ADG.
4,000 Projects “This is truly a great industry,” smiled Dunn, “where else can you be an architect, engineer, theme consultant,
MARCH 2020
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