What Cardinal Systems, Inc. does

Cardinal Systems, Inc. is a family-owned American building-products manufacturer headquartered in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, with secondary manufacturing in York County. Founded in 1976 by Warren 'Mickey' Bradley as a small custom fabricator, the company is now in its third generation of Bradley-family ownership and operates four integrated divisions: Cardinal (pool component manufacturing — steel walls, coping, liner track, vinyl liners, and steps), Fox Pool (wholesale pool manufacturer with an exclusive dealer network spanning the US and Canada, acquired via 2018 merger), Fox Pool & Spa Services (retail storefronts in Schuylkill Haven, York, and Lititz, PA serving homeowners), and Cardinal Fabrication & Manufacturing (custom CNC punching, forming, extrusion, and thermoforming for non-pool industries). The company also owns the Quaker Plastics brand (acquired 2009), adding deck drains, extruded products, and thermoformed steps to the component ecosystem.

The company manufactures steel pool components from 14-gauge galvanized or ZAM corrosion-resistant steel using advanced equipment including Trumpf 5000 and Robotic Radius machines across a 350,000 sq ft facility. Differentiated product features include the patented Fox Pool X-Brace concrete support system, the Fox Pool Cleargard step with enhanced corrosion resistance, and the first-to-market Cardinal 6-inch Radius Corner Panel. Across all divisions, the company offers everything from individual pool components and pre-configured kits (the 2024-launch Plunge Pool Collection) to full custom backyard design services and exclusive dealer-installed inground pools.

Cardinal Systems generates revenue through hardware sales across three layers: (1) wholesale B2B pool components to builders, contractors, dealers, and distributors via regional sales managers and independent rep firms; (2) wholesale pool kits via Fox Pool's exclusive dealer network that builds and installs pools for end consumers across North America; and (3) direct-to-consumer sales through Fox Pool & Spa Services retail storefronts, including tiered packages (Basic Economy, Standard, Design Services). The customer base is highly distributed — individual homeowners, small/mid-market pool builders, and an exclusive North American dealer network — with a separate Cardinal Fabrication revenue stream from custom manufacturing for industrial clients in various industries.

Name

Cardinal Systems, Inc.

Legal name

Cardinal Systems, Inc.

Website

https://cardinalsystemsinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cardinal Systems, Inc. is a family-owned American manufacturer of steel pool walls, vinyl liners, coping, deck drains, and related pool components, plus wholesale (Fox Pool) and retail (Fox Pool & Spa Services) pool systems serving builders, dealers, and homeowners across the US and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Swimming Pool Manufacturing

akta.pro primary industry

Pool Decking & Surrounds (HSAPALAK)

Keywords

• Swimming pool manufacturing
• Pool components
• Custom sheet metal fabrication
• Vinyl liner production
• Pool and spa retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Schuylkill Haven

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pool Component Manufacturing & Sales: Cardinal manufactures and sells steel pool walls, steps and benches, thermoplastic steps, aluminum coping and liner track, deck drains, and vinyl liners to pool builders, contractors, dealers, and distributors. Revenue is generated through direct sales to trade customers as well as through distribution channels.
2. Fox Pool Dealer Network: Fox Pool manufactures and sells pool products exclusively through a network of dedicated dealers who build and install pools for homeowners. Dealers purchase Fox products wholesale and sell completed pool installations to end consumers.
3. Fox Pool & Spa Services Retail: Fox Pool & Spa Services operates retail storefronts selling inground pools, above ground pools, luxury hot tubs, chemicals, equipment, parts, and accessories directly to homeowners. Also offers installation services, opening/closing services, repairs, and renovations. Three-tiered pool sale structure: Basic Economy, Standard, and Design Services custom backyard experience.
4. Custom Fabrication & Manufacturing Services: Cardinal Fabrication & Manufacturing provides custom sheet metal fabrication and manufacturing services for a variety of industries beyond swimming pools, from prototype samples to large full production projects using CNC punching, CNC forming, extrusion, and thermoforming capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cardinal Systems, Inc. is a family-owned American manufacturer that produces steel pool walls, steps, benches, thermoplastic steps, aluminum coping and liner track, deck and paver drains, and custom vinyl liners for the swimming pool industry through its Cardinal, Fox Pool, Quaker Plastics, and Cardinal Fabrication & Manufacturing divisions. The company also operates Fox Pool & Spa Services retail storefronts that sell inground pools, above ground pools, hot tubs, chemicals, equipment, and accessories directly to homeowners, and provides custom sheet metal fabrication services for non-pool industries.

Product overview

Cardinal Systems, Inc. is a family-owned American manufacturer operating multiple divisions with a portfolio of pool and spa products. The company is organized into three primary operating divisions: Cardinal (pool products manufacturer), Fox Pool (wholesale pool manufacturer with dealer network and Canadian distribution), and Fox Pool & Spa Services (retail division). A fourth division, Cardinal Fabrication & Manufacturing, provides custom fabrication services beyond pool products. The Cardinal brand serves as the core product division, manufacturing steel pool walls, steps, thermoplastic steps, deck drains (via Quaker Plastics sub-brand), aluminum coping, custom vinyl liners, Luxury Spas, Ultimate Pool systems, and the new 2024 Plunge Pool Collection. Fox Pool focuses on custom steel walls, patented X-Brace support systems, and Luxury Spas. Fox Pool & Spa Services operates retail stores offering pools (inground and above ground), hot tubs, chemicals, equipment, and services. The company also partnered with Modern Moulding for Styrofoam Cantilever Coping. All products are manufactured at the company's 350,000 sq. ft. facility in Schuylkill Haven, PA, using North-American sourced materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cardinal Pool Products Manufacturing division of Cardinal Systems producing steel pool walls, steps, benches, thermoplastic steps, aluminum coping and liner track, deck drains, vinyl liners, and Luxury Spas sold to pool builders, contractors, dealers, and distributors.
• Fox Pool Wholesale Pool Manufacturing US-based manufacturer and division of Cardinal Systems with distribution in Canada and an exclusive dealer network that builds dream pools throughout North America. Products include custom steel walls, steps and benches, X-Brace concrete support system, thermoplastic steps, coping, Ultimate Pool, and Luxury Spas.
• Fox Pool & Spa Services Retail Retail division of Cardinal Systems providing pool, spa, and outdoor living products directly to homeowners through retail storefronts in Schuylkill Haven and York, PA. Offers inground and above ground pools, luxury hot tubs, chemicals, equipment, parts, accessories, water testing, installation, opening/closing services, repairs, and renovations with a three-tiered pool sale structure (Basic Economy, Standard, Design Services).
• Cardinal Fabrication & Manufacturing Custom Services Custom sheet metal fabrication and manufacturing services division operating from a 350,000 sq. ft. facility. Capabilities include CNC punching, CNC forming, design, extrusion, and thermoforming for a variety of industries beyond pool manufacturing, from prototype samples to large full production projects.
• Quaker Plastics Pool Components Brand within Cardinal offering plastic pool products including deck drains, extruded products, thermoformed steps, and liner bead to complete the aesthetic and functionality of pools.
• Plunge Pool Collection New collection of smaller pre-configured pool kits offered in Rectangle, Oval, and Oasis builds in multiple sizes, designed for homeowners seeking more affordable and manageable pool options.
• 6" Radius Corner Panel Steel corner panel for pools, the FIRST of its kind released on the market by Cardinal.
• Fox Pool Cleargard Step Pool step featuring enhanced corrosion resistance, launched by Fox Pool in 2024.
• Steel Pool Walls and Components Steel pool walls, steps and benches manufactured using 14-gauge galvanized or ZAM corrosion-resistant steel for inground pool builds, providing durability and strength.
• Custom Vinyl Liners Custom vinyl liners for new and existing pools, manufactured at Cardinal's York County vinyl liner facility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cardinal is the largest single supplier of package pool panels, coping, and components in the swimming pool industry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Modern MouldingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Cardinal established a distribution partnership with Modern Moulding for Styrofoam Cantilever Coping products. Modern Moulding's products are offered as part of Cardinal's product catalog and sold through Cardinal's sales channels and dealer network. This partnership enhances Cardinal's product offerings by adding exterior coping solutions to its pool component lineup.
• Fox PoolcoreOthers · 1 January 2018The merger of Fox Pool under Cardinal Systems in 2018 nearly doubled the workforce and extended business opportunities to other areas in the US and Canada. Fox Pool brought its dealer network, retail division (Fox Pool & Spa Services), and established brand reputation (65+ years) into the Cardinal family.
• Quaker PlasticscoreOthers · 1 January 2009Acquired by Cardinal Systems in 2009, Quaker Plastics operates as a brand within Cardinal offering deck drains, custom extruded products, thermoformed steps, liner track, and pool components. The acquisition expanded Cardinal's capabilities in plastic products and strengthened its product ecosystem.
• Devin Cahn Associates InccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDevin Cahn Associates Inc has been in the swimming pool industry for over 30 years and handles the complete product line of Cardinal Systems including Quaker Plastics deck drains and components in the South Central, Northeast, West and Florida territories. As an independent sales representative firm, they serve as an extension of Cardinal's sales force in key geographic territories.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Latham Group: Latham is a leading North American manufacturer of in-ground vinyl liner swimming pool components, fiberglass pools, and pool covers. It is the most direct comparable to Cardinal's steel-wall and vinyl-liner pool component business.
• Master Spas: Master Spas is one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of swim spas and hot tubs. Comparable to Cardinal's Luxury Spa and hot tub product lines sold through Fox Pool & Spa Services retail.
• Jacuzzi: Jacuzzi is a heritage U.S. brand manufacturing hot tubs, swim spas, and bath products. Comparable through Fox Pool & Spa Services' luxury hot tub retail offerings and Cardinal's Luxury Spa line.

Broad incumbents

• Pool Corporation: PoolCorp is the world's largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related products, serving builders, retailers, and service companies. Comparable because it sits in the same U.S. pool supply chain and serves overlapping builder/dealer customers as Cardinal.
• Hayward Holdings: Hayward is a major manufacturer of pool and outdoor living equipment, including pumps, filters, heaters, and automation. Comparable as a large U.S. pool-products manufacturer selling through similar builder and dealer channels.
• Pentair: Pentair's pool segment manufactures pool pumps, filters, heaters, and automation systems. Comparable as a diversified pool-products manufacturer serving U.S. builders and dealers alongside Cardinal.
• Zodiac Pool Systems (Fluidra): Zodiac, part of Fluidra, manufactures pool equipment, automation, and sanitization systems. Comparable as a broad incumbent in U.S. pool products, often sold alongside Cardinal's pool components.

Emerging players

• AquaCal: AquaCal is a U.S. manufacturer of pool and spa heat pumps. Comparable as a specialty U.S. pool equipment manufacturer with overlapping dealer and builder customers.
• Anthony & Sylvan Pools: Anthony & Sylvan is one of the largest U.S. pool builders, designing and installing in-ground pools. Comparable as a downstream consumer of pool components like those Cardinal and Fox Pool manufacture.

Regional players

• Blue Haven Pools & Spas: Blue Haven is a regional U.S. pool builder and service provider with showrooms across multiple states. Comparable to Fox Pool & Spa Services' retail and installation business model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cardinal Systems, Inc.