Splash SuperPools LLC

In 1994, Bill Shroyer was looking for something his company, which made single-ply roof products, could produce in the winter when business was slow.

He found his answer after meeting a representative from Agrisilos, an Italian company that sells above-ground, soft-sided pools, at a swimming pool trade show.

Shroyer thought manufacturing pools would be a good sideline for his company, Seal-Dry USA Inc.

He was right. Splash SuperPools LLC’s growth was like a tidal wave.

Just three years after opening an 18,000-SF plant on Baseline Road in 1995, it needed a bigger one.

In 1998, Splash moved into a 60,000-SF facility at 3912 East Progress in North Little Rock, which Shroyer predicted would last the company eight to 10 years.

But Splash outgrew that in four years. It currently is building an additional 61,000-SF plant, giving the company more than 120,000 SF once it’s complete.

In its first year, Splash had sales of $300,000, and since then, sales have risen 45 percent per year, said Shroyer. He declined to release current sales figures. Splash was doing so well that Shroyer sold Seal-Dry in 1998.

When the company saw a slowdown in residential pool sales, it added a hot tub line about three and a half years ago. And about a year and a half ago, it added a competitive pool line, which is used by Olympic goal medalists and schools. The price for residential pools ranges from $545 to $10,000.

Splash, with 60 employees and independent representatives across the country, has sold pools from Canada to the Caribbean. The pools have been endorsed by the American Swim Coaches Association, Shroyer said.

Shroyer says the company’s growth surprised even him, but he attributes it a combination of a “great product,” an aggressive marketing campaign and sheer competitiveness.

“We don’t mess around,” Shroyer said. “It’s very important that we do things the right way.”