National Builder of the Year 2000


National Builder of the Year

Pulliam Aquatech Pools
Fort Worth, Texas

Principal: Barry Pulliam

Established: 1916

Locations: 2

Geographical area served: 
About 400 square miles
and five counties: Tarrant,
Johnson, Hood, Wise,
and Parker.

Staff: Year-round, 54;
high season, 56; plus
many subcontractors

Pools Built: Gunite

Average pools per year: 550

Average pool price: $28,870

Other services: Retail, service, pool covers, safety
fencing, plumbing

National professional affiliations:
NSPI, Tarrant County Builders Association,
National Association of Home Builders,
American Concrete Institute, Six Chambers of Commerce
Aquatech Corp.

Awards:
- Small Business of the Year (10-50 Employees)
from Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, 1999
- Pool & Spa News Industry's Choice awards,
Distinguished Builder (Region 5), 1997, 1998
- Pool & Spa News ICA National Builder of the
Year, 1999, 2000
- Aqua 100 Award, 1993, 1996-2000
- Tarrant Enterprise Award for Best Business
Practices (Customer Satisfaction) from Fort Worth
Star-Telegram and Arthur Anderson, 1997
- Texas Outstanding Family Business of the Year
(Well-Managed), 1997 and (Overall), 2000, from 
Baylor University.



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Barry and Lizz Pulliam pull out all the stops when it comes to creating satisfied customers, happy employees and unique pools. Are they successful? The many awards, customer thank-you letters and loyal staff certainly suggest it. Now Pulliam Aquatech Pools can add another plaque to its wall: In an unprecedented move, industry colleagues nationwide voted the firm National Builder of the Year in the 5th Annual Pool & Spa News Industry's Choice Awards - for the second consecutive year. This is the first time a company has won the top honor more than once. Customer Care Take a look at Pulliam's business and it's easy to see why. The customer-oriented firm has created several programs that make people feel a part of the Pulliam Aquatech family long after their pool or spa is built. Each year, for example, a photo contest inspires a flood of nearly 200 entries from pool owners hoping to win the grand-prize trip to Las Vegas. But everyone is really a winner because there are also first, second, and third-place prizes, plus gifts such as baseball caps and waterpark tickets for the other contestants. The company wins, too, because it can use the photos in its advertising. So successful is this program, say the Pulliams, that customers plan their entries months in advance. Some new clients have even requested that their pools be finished in time for them to enter before the contest deadline. Spreading the News Newsletters are another way people stay connected, and Pulliam boasts two editions of Pool Talk - one for customers and one for the employees. But these newsletters keep both groups in the know. But the learning doesn't stop there. Additional educational opportunities for Pulliam customers range from water- chemistry and equipment classes to Water Safety Day. There's even an Education & Technology Room at corporate head- quarters and a Web site. Finally, there's the Preferred Customer Club for existing clients. For one referral, customers receive $250; five referrals earn them a weekend at an upscale local hotel; and 10 referrals mean a free trip for two to San Antonio.