Team Horner
Team Horner Group is an employee-owned integrated manufacturer, wholesale distributor, and global exporter of swimming pool and spa equipment and chemicals, serving pool and spa professionals through 20 US branches and exports to over 110 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersFort Lauderdale, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Team Horner does
Team Horner Group, Inc. is an employee-owned (ESOP) family of 17 companies founded in 1969 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, operating as an integrated manufacturer, wholesale distributor, and global exporter of swimming pool and spa equipment and chemicals. The company sells exclusively to the swimming pool and spa trade (pool contractors, dealers, builders, and service companies) and never directly to consumers, supporting thousands of B2B customer relationships across more than 110 countries.
Its core manufactured products include AquaCal heat pumps (the world's largest pool and spa heat pump manufacturer, operating since 1981 from a 61,000+ sq ft St. Petersburg facility), AutoPilot salt chlorine generators (in production since 1976), Lo-Chlor specialty pool chemicals, StoneHardscapes natural stone and porcelain pavers, TileXpressions pool tile, BackyardXpo outdoor living products, and TropiClear maintenance chemicals. European operations include Piscines Provence Polyester (composite pool construction with nearly 80,000 pools installed since 1972), Polyester Innovation Développement (PID, holding European patents on single-block polyester shell pool manufacturing since 1984), and AquaCalor (Portugal/Spain distribution). The AquaCal SuperQuiet heat pump line and AutoPilot electrolytic chlorine systems constitute the company's principal proprietary technology platforms.
Team Horner monetizes through multiple revenue streams: wholesale distribution margins via 20 HornerXpress branches in Florida and Long Island, NY; international export distribution via HornerXpress Worldwide; hardware sales of manufactured heat pumps and salt chlorine generators; OEM manufacturing for companies including Hayward, Jandy, AquaPro, Pool Calor/AquaCalor, and Aquatherm Industries; specialty chemicals and outdoor surfacing sales; plus education and marketing services (CPO and Master Pool Professional certification programs, Career Advancement Program). Pricing is wholesale and not publicly disclosed, sold only through B2B channels to the pool and spa trade. The company eclipsed $200M in sales in 2016 and has since expanded headcount from 430 (2015) to 501–1,000 employees, opened India and Iberian operations, and continued adding branches and product lines.
Team Horner firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Team Horner
- Legal name
- Team Horner Group, Inc.
- Website
- https://teamhorner.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Team Horner Group is an employee-owned integrated manufacturer, wholesale distributor, and global exporter of swimming pool and spa equipment and chemicals, serving pool and spa professionals through 20 US branches and exports to over 110 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Team Horner industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Swimming Pool Equipment Manufacturing & Distribution
- NAICS
- Hardware Merchant Wholesalers (423710), Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing (333996)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Equipment Installation & Upgrades (Automation, Covers, Sanitizers) (HSAIALAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG)
Keywords
Where Team Horner is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fort Lauderdale
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices28 records
Markets served
Team Horner business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Wholesale Distribution: HornerXpress distributes swimming pool equipment to pool and spa professionals through 20 branches in Florida and Long Island, NY. HornerXpress Worldwide exports to over 110 countries. Revenue comes from the margin on products sold to pool dealers and contractors.
- Manufacturing - Heat Pumps: AquaCal manufactures swimming pool and spa heat pumps. As the largest heat pump manufacturer for pools and spas in the world, products are sold through distribution channels and directly to pool professionals. Also operates as OEM manufacturer for other companies.
- Manufacturing - Salt Chlorine Generators: AutoPilot has been producing salt chlorine generators since 1976. Products are sold through HornerXpress distribution and through OEM relationships. Units are 100% tested before leaving factory.
- Specialty Chemicals: Lo-Chlor specialty pool chemicals are manufactured and sold to target pool water problems. Products are rigorous lab and field tested. Distribution through HornerXpress branches.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale distribution pricing for pool professionals |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Team Horner product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Team Horner is an integrated manufacturer, wholesale distributor, and global exporter of swimming pool equipment and chemicals. It manufactures pool heat pumps (AquaCal), salt chlorine generators (AutoPilot), specialty pool chemicals (Lo-Chlor, TropiClear), natural stone and porcelain pavers and tiles (StoneHardscapes, TileXpressions), outdoor living products (BackyardXpo) and composite/polyester shell pools (Piscines Provence Polyester, PID). It sells exclusively to pool and spa professionals through 20 HornerXpress branches in Florida/New York and HornerXpress Worldwide exports to over 110 countries.
Product overview
Team Horner is a family of companies focused on the swimming pool and spa business, founded in 1969. The company operates as an integrated manufacturer, wholesale distributor, and global exporter. Its portfolio includes multiple product lines: AquaCal (pool heat pumps, the world's largest manufacturer since 1981), AutoPilot (salt chlorine generators since 1976), and Lo-Chlor (specialty chemicals). Distribution is handled through HornerXpress (domestic, 20+ Florida/New York branches) and HornerXpress Worldwide (international, 110+ countries). Additional brands include TropiClear (maintenance chemicals), StoneHardscapes and TileXpressions (pool materials), BackyardXpo (outdoor accessories), and European operations through Piscines Provence Polyester, Polyester Innovation Développement, and AquaCalor. The company also offers education services through the Master Pool Professional certification and Career Advancement Program, plus the Color Me Healthy employee wellness program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AquaCal Heat Pumps: Swimming pool and spa heat pumps - largest heat pump manufacturer for pools and spas in the world since 1981
- AutoPilot Salt Chlorine Generators
- HornerXpress Domestic Distribution
- HornerXpress Worldwide International Distribution
- Lo-Chlor Specialty Chemicals
- StoneHardscapes
- TileXpressions
- BackyardXpo
- TropiClear
- AquaCalor
- Piscines Provence Polyester
- Polyester Innovation Développement
Products and services
- AquaCal Heat Pumps AquaCal manufactures the world's largest line of swimming pool and spa heat pumps, ranging from small above-ground units to large commercial facilities, with SuperQuiet technology and 100% factory testing of every unit.
- AutoPilot Salt Chlorine Generators AutoPilot electrolytic chlorine generator systems convert ordinary salt into self-regenerating pure chlorine for pool and spa water, providing trouble-free maintenance with one teaspoon per gallon saline level.
- HornerXpress Domestic Wholesale Distribution Premier independent B2B wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment to pool and spa professionals with 20 branches throughout Florida and New York; sells exclusively to the swimming pool and spa trade, never directly to consumers.
- HornerXpress Worldwide International Distribution Largest independent exporter of swimming pool and spa products, serving customers in more than 110 countries with research, marketing, design and logistics assistance.
- Lo-Chlor Specialty Pool Chemicals Lo-Chlor Specialty Chemicals target pool water problems that maintenance chemicals alone cannot resolve, including algicides, phosphate reducers, and performance pool chemicals, rigorous lab and field tested.
- TropiClear Pool Chemicals TropiClear maintenance chemicals and equipment for pool and spa water treatment, marketed as the finest, purest pool and spa chemicals available in the United States.
- StoneHardscapes Natural Stone & Porcelain Pavers Leading manufacturer of natural stone and porcelain pavers, veneers and tiles for exterior and interior applications, with four distribution centers and 12 design centers nationwide and millions of square feet in stock.
- TileXpressions Pool Tile Premier supplier of quality swimming pool tile, offering over 200 styles of glass tile, mosaics, cap tile, coping options, depth markers, and 96% frost-proof porcelain tiles for pool and outdoor applications.
- BackyardXpo Outdoor Living Products Outdoor living product line including outdoor kitchens, fire and water features, furniture, decking and pergolas for backyard enhancement, displayed at the BackyardXpo showroom.
- Piscines Provence Polyester Composite Pools Composite swimming pool construction company since 1972 with nearly 80,000 pools installed across more than 250 models, operating from manufacturing locations in Pouilly-en-Auxois and Weyer, France.
- Polyester Innovation Développement (PID) Single-Block Polyester Pools Manufacturer since 1984 of single-block polyester shell pools, holding European patents for the manufacturing process; provides comprehensive know-how from production to installer network across France.
- AquaCalor Pool Heat Pump Distribution European distributor of pool heat pumps and related products present in Portugal and Spain, distributing various brands including Angelfire heat pumps manufactured by AquaCal AutoPilot.
- OEM Heat Pump Manufacturing for Pool Equipment Brands Contract/OEM manufacturing of swimming pool heat pumps under other companies' brands, including Aquatherm Industries, Hayward, Jandy, AquaPro, Pool Calor (Portugal), and the Angelfire brand.
Quantifiable outcome
- Largest heat pump manufacturer for pools and spas in the world
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Team Horner
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Team Horner technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Team Horner partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- PoolConnect, LLCstrategicStrategic partnership formed in February 2018 with PoolConnect, LLC, headed by Kevin Doyle and Rakesh Reddy, experienced inventors of new products for the swimming pool and spa industry.
- Swimming Pool Industry Suppliers and PartnerscoreTeam Horner's network of partners and suppliers is critical to their long-term success. They seek partners that participate in open innovation, help improve competitive advantage, and maintain standards of excellence. Areas of collaboration include distribution, business models, marketing models, new product acquisition, manufacturing efficiencies, and water chemistry and technology research.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Team Horner competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Maytronics: Israeli-based global leader in robotic pool cleaners and broader pool solutions. Comparable as a swimming pool equipment specialist manufacturer with international distribution, but narrowly focused on robotic cleaners rather than full pool equipment.
- Waterco: Australian-based manufacturer of pool equipment including pumps, filters, heat pumps, and sanitization. Comparable as a vertically integrated pool equipment manufacturer with international distribution ambitions similar to AquaCal/AutoPilot.
- InyoPools: Online-focused retailer and distributor of pool parts, equipment, and supplies. Adjacent competitor in pool equipment distribution with a different go-to-market (e-commerce plus direct-to-consumer) rather than Team Horner's professional-only B2B channel.
Broad incumbents
- Pool Corporation: Publicly traded pool and spa products distributor serving 100,000+ wholesale customers. Directly comparable to HornerXpress as a wholesale pool equipment distributor, but vastly larger (~$5B+ revenue) and operating nationally rather than being Florida-anchored.
- Pentair: Global pool and water solutions manufacturer with a major pool equipment segment. Competes head-to-head with AquaCal on heat pumps and pumps; vertically analogous to Team Horner in manufacturing and distribution scale but with broader industrial exposure outside pools.
Direct peers
- SCP Distributors: Wholesale distributor of pool equipment and supplies to pool builders and service professionals. Sister brand to Pool Corporation and direct competitor to HornerXpress for wholesale pool equipment distribution to the professional channel in the U.S.
- Zodiac Pool Systems (Jandy): Pool equipment manufacturer (heat pumps, pumps, automation, salt chlorination). Direct competitor to AquaCal heat pumps and an OEM customer of AquaCal. Operates primarily through professional pool builder channels analogous to Team Horner's professional-only distribution.
- Hayward Holdings: Major manufacturer of pool equipment including heat pumps, pumps, filters, and automation. Directly competes with AquaCal in heat pumps and AutoPilot in chlorine generation, and is even an OEM customer of Team Horner's AquaCal. Same B2B professional channel to pool builders.
- Fluidra: Spanish-headquartered global pool equipment manufacturer and distributor with similar vertical integration from manufacturing to wholesale. Closest international analog to Team Horner's combined manufacturer-distributor-exporter model across heat pumps, pumps, and chemicals.
Others
- Leisure Industries: U.S. distributor and manufacturer of pool and spa parts and accessories. Adjacent peer in the same B2B pool distribution ecosystem, often stocking complementary SKUs to Team Horner's full-line catalog and supplying the same professional pool service market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Team Horner social profiles
Digital presenceTeam Horner compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Team Horner financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Team Horner leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Team Horner subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries13 records
Team Horner funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Team Horner M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Team Horner
What does Team Horner do?
Team Horner is an integrated manufacturer, wholesale distributor, and global exporter of swimming pool equipment and chemicals. It manufactures pool heat pumps (AquaCal), salt chlorine generators (AutoPilot), specialty pool chemicals (Lo-Chlor, TropiClear), natural stone and porcelain pavers and tiles (StoneHardscapes, TileXpressions), outdoor living products (BackyardXpo) and composite/polyester shell pools (Piscines Provence Polyester, PID). It sells exclusively to pool and spa professionals through 20 HornerXpress branches in Florida/New York and HornerXpress Worldwide exports to over 110 countries.
Is Team Horner a public or private company?
Team Horner is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Team Horner founded?
Team Horner was founded in 1969. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Team Horner based?
Team Horner is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, United States, in the North America region.
How does Team Horner make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Wholesale Distribution is the primary driver. The others are manufacturing - Heat Pumps, manufacturing - Salt Chlorine Generators and specialty Chemicals.
Who are Team Horner's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Maytronics, Waterco and InyoPools. Broad incumbents are Pool Corporation and Pentair. Direct peers are SCP Distributors, Zodiac Pool Systems (Jandy), Hayward Holdings and Fluidra. Leisure Industries is listed as an others.
Does Team Horner have an API?
No public API is recorded for Team Horner.
What industry is Team Horner in?
Team Horner's product category is Swimming Pool Equipment Manufacturing & Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAIALAJ, Equipment Installation & Upgrades (Automation, Covers, Sanitizers), with a secondary code of IMAHANAG, Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets). Its NAICS code is 423710 and its SIC code is 5070.