Automatic Pool Covers

What Automatic Pool Covers does

Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. (APC) is a privately owned US manufacturer of automatic and manual pool and spa cover systems, headquartered in Westfield, Indiana, and operating from a 90,000 sq ft manufacturing facility. Founded in 1979 by Mike Shebek Sr. as a pool cover distributor, the company transitioned to manufacturing in 2003 with the launch of its proprietary AutoGuard™ brand and now produces a full portfolio including the flagship APC 365™ (THREE·SIXTY·FIVE™) vinyl-liner system, AutoGuard Top Track, Deck Mount and Under Track variants, the ManualGuard manual system, and the Automatic Spa Cover launched in 2024. Underlying technology combines commercial-grade mechanical drives (e.g., 3/4 HP motors delivering 1,400 in-lbs of torque), coated vinyl cover fabrics, high-density polyethylene housings, and proprietary electronics centered on its patented SmartMotion™ electronic torque limiter and the award-winning PowerTouch™ backlit touchpad controller with a 4-digit security code.

The company's product platform is differentiated by several patented or exclusive components, including Invis-A-Rope™ hidden rope systems, sand-infused slip-resistant coping and lids, heavy-duty Atlas Brackets for gunite pools, quick-connect motor cords, and pre-cut poly boxes with pre-drilled drum holes aimed at reducing dealer installation time. Recent additions include cover coping engineered for fiberglass pools (introduced 2025) and complementary accessories such as the 40ft Cord Pool Cover Pump and the CoverBlast® hose-free nozzle. The business model is hardware sales of integrated systems and aftermarket parts, distributed exclusively through an authorized dealer channel with quote-based, non-publicly disclosed pricing; homeowners are routed to a "Find a Dealer" contact flow, and dealers order via the MyAPC.net portal. APC self-attests compliance with ASTM 1346 safety standards and is a member of APSP; it also operates a wholly-owned services subsidiary, Cover Care, LLC, spun off from the parent in 2014.

Name

Automatic Pool Covers

Legal name

Automatic Pool Covers, Inc.

Website

https://automaticpoolcovers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. is a privately owned Indiana manufacturer of automatic and manual pool and spa cover systems. Founded in 1979, it sells AutoGuard™ and APC 365™ branded systems through a US dealer network serving residential pool builders and homeowners domestically and in 6+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Westfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automatic Pool Cover System Sales: Core hardware revenue from selling complete automatic pool cover systems (APC 365™, AutoGuard™ Top Track, Deck Mount AutoGuard™, AutoGuard™ Under Track, Automatic Spa Cover, ManualGuard) to dealers and builders. One-time purchase of integrated system including motor, housing, tracks, coping, and cover fabric.
2. Replacement Parts & Replacement Cover Fabric: Recurring/aftermarket revenue stream from selling service parts compatible with APC and other manufacturers' systems, plus replacement cover fabric orders through the MyAPC.net dealer portal.
3. Accessory Hardware Sales (Pumps & CoverBlast): Revenue from complementary pool cover accessories including the 40ft Cord Pool Cover Pump and CoverBlast® nozzle attachment. Sold both direct and via partner poolsaver.com, with promotional pricing (e.g., 10% off with code SUMMER).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Core offering

Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. (APC) manufactures automatic pool and spa cover systems built on the AutoGuard platform, offering motorized cover systems with electronic torque-limiting controls for vinyl-liner, gunite, and fiberglass pools. The company produces a complete portfolio of cover systems, including the flagship APC 365 full-kit, multiple AutoGuard installation variants (Top Track, Deck Mount, Under Track), a ManualGuard manual system, an Automatic Spa Cover, and supporting accessories such as the 40ft Cord Pool Cover Pump and CoverBlast nozzle.

Product overview

Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. (APC) is a single-vendor manufacturer of automatic pool and spa cover systems, organized around the AutoGuard™ platform with multiple installation variants and accessory products. The portfolio centers on the flagship APC 365™ (THREE·SIXTY•FIVE™) full-kit system for vinyl-liner pools, supported by three AutoGuard™ installation variants — Top Track (Recessed), Deck Mount (for existing pools), and Under Track — plus the ManualGuard manual system for smaller pools and the Automatic Spa Cover for spas and swim spas. Supporting technologies include the PowerTouch™ touchpad controller, Invis-A-Rope™, and patented SmartMotion™ electronic torque-limiting diagnostics. APC also sells companion accessories — the 40ft Cord Pool Cover Pump, the CoverBlast® hose-free nozzle, sand-infused slip-resistant coping, and the Adjustable Flush Lid Riser — that complete and maintain its cover systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AutoGuard™: APC's flagship automatic pool cover system line, including Top Track, Deck Mount, and Under Track configurations.
• APC 365™ (THREE·SIXTY·FIVE™)
• ManualGuard
• CoverBlast®

Products and services

• APC 365 (THREE·SIXTY·FIVE) Flagship full-kit automatic pool cover system for vinyl-liner pools, combining a year-round coated-vinyl thermal-retention safety cover with a high-density poly box, coping, 3/4 HP electric motor drive (1,400 in-lbs torque), flush lid, Invis-A-Rope, and a limited 5-year warranty.
• AutoGuard Top Track (Recessed AutoGuard) Low-profile top track cover system for nearly any pool shape; the recessed compartment visually hides the cover roll-up, with a track mounted to the top of the deck and a bow-resistant leading edge with gliding wheel mechanisms.
• Deck Mount AutoGuard Retrofit automatic pool cover system for existing pools; installs on top of an existing deck and is concealed in a four-season vinyl housing with patented SmartMotion technology and real-time user diagnostics.
• AutoGuard Under Track Concealed under-track automatic cover system that fastens to the pool wall or sits in a track retainer; includes easy-out pulley assembly, SmartMotion real-time diagnostics, eight color choices, and a personalized security code interface.
• ManualGuard Non-motorized manual safety cover designed for smaller pools and spas (under 18 ft wide and under 38 ft long); deck-mount top track with optional bench frame or vinyl bench housing, closed by pulling a rope and reopened with a handle.
• Automatic Spa Cover Automatic cover system for spas, hot tubs, and swim spas with a symmetrical 14-inch motor offset on both sides, anodized aluminum frame, proprietary Spa Touchpad with SmartMotion Technology, and a 10-foot track space x 25-foot max track length; designed to fit inside an APC polybox.
• 40ft Cord Pool Cover Pump Pool cover pump with an exclusive 40ft power cord (versus a standard 25ft) that removes 1,745 gallons per hour, exceeding ASTM 1346 standards; features Caviar Black finish, integrated float switch that activates in 2 inches of water, and compatibility with the CoverBlast nozzle.
• CoverBlast Hose-free pump nozzle attachment that sprays water 25 feet when connected to an 1800 GPH pump, eliminating tripping-hazard garden hoses on the pool cover; available in exclusive Caviar Black.

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cover Pools: Manufacturer of automatic pool cover systems and one of APC's original distribution partners (APC began installing Cover Pools products in 1983 and became a Top 3 Cover Pools dealer in 1986). Directly competes in the automatic safety cover category with similar track-based systems.
• Pool Cover Specialists: Automatic pool cover manufacturer; APC distributed their products until 2003, when APC transitioned to its own AutoGuard™ brand. Direct competitor in the automatic pool cover category serving US dealers and builders.
• Poolsaver: Automatic pool cover manufacturer that APC originally distributed for starting in 1979. Currently operates as a sister retail site to APC, selling the 40ft Cord Pool Cover Pump and CoverBlast® accessories. Directly comparable in product category.
• Coverstar: Manufacturer of automatic pool cover systems with a comparable dealer-distributed business model. Direct competitor in residential automatic pool covers, including track-based and recessed systems.
• Aqua Cover: Manufacturer of automatic pool and spa covers serving residential and commercial markets. Direct peer in the automatic safety cover niche with comparable dealer channel.
• Meyco Products: Long-established manufacturer of mesh safety pool covers (originally a division of KDI Paragon). Closely comparable in safety-cover positioning and pool-dealer distribution, though focused on manual mesh covers rather than automatic systems.
• Loop-Loc: Manufacturer of mesh and solid safety pool covers distributed through pool dealers. Comparable in safety cover category and dealer-channel GTM, though Loop-Loc is primarily known for manual mesh covers rather than automatic systems.
• Anchor Industries: Manufacturer of commercial-grade pool covers and protective fabric structures. Comparable in custom-engineered pool cover fabrication and B2B/institutional channel coverage.

Broad incumbents

• Latham Pool Products: Large diversified pool products manufacturer (liners, covers, equipment, safety covers) serving the same residential pool dealer channel. Broad incumbent that touches the automatic cover category as part of a wider portfolio.
• S.R. Smith: Established manufacturer of residential and commercial pool equipment including deck equipment, lighting, and accessories. Broad incumbent serving the same pool dealer and builder channel, though not specializing in automatic covers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AutomaticPoolCoversInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/automatic-pool-covers-inc
• Xx.com/poolcovers

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Automatic Pool Covers