Katchakid
Katchakid, Inc. is a Houston, Texas-based, family-owned manufacturer and certified installer of residential pool safety nets, removable mesh fences, and Katchaleaf debris covers, serving U.S. homeowners with children or pets since 1972.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Katchakid does
Katchakid, Inc. is a Houston, Texas-based, family-owned manufacturer and installer of residential swimming pool safety barriers, founded in 1972 by Blair Esson. The company designs, fabricates, and professionally installs three core product lines: a central-tension Pool Safety Net anchored to flush-mounted deck fasteners and rated to support a minimum of 485 lbs (ASTM F1346 compliant); removable mesh Pool Fences with self-latching, key-lockable, self-closing gates supplied in 15-foot sections (ASTM F2286 compliant); and the Katchaleaf fine-mesh debris cover, which blocks leaves and debris while allowing water drainage and offering 70% shade to reduce evaporation by 75–83%. The portfolio also includes a Pond Safety Net and a Combo Leaf Cover bundle. Products are custom-shaped and fitted on-site by Katchakid's own certified installation crews using proprietary non-rusting brass anchors and, for irregular geometries, hand-sewn construction.
The business operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market: free consultations drive quote-based, one-time purchases, with professional installation included and warranty coverage of five years on nets and Katchaleaf covers and ten years on fences. A secondary Repair and Service stream covers warranty and non-warranty work, and non-transferable warranties create modest replacement-cycle lock-in. Distribution is via the company's own nationwide certified installation teams, supplemented by referral partnerships with pool builders and pool supply businesses, and a manufacturer's representative arrangement with Pool Safety Solutions, Inc. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, supported by a Best Price Match guarantee.
Katchakid serves primarily U.S. residential pool owners with young children or pets, with secondary segments in landlords and property managers, schools, and Sunbelt pool owners focused on debris and water conservation. The company is endorsed by the American Lifeguard Association, partners with the CPSC Pool Safely campaign and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, and is promoted alongside American Red Cross water-safety resources. The Esson family has retained ownership and control since inception; founder Blair Esson passed in 2024, and his son Brad Esson now serves as Director of Operations. No external funding, M&A, or subsidiaries are disclosed, and the company employs 51–100 people.
Katchakid firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Katchakid
- Legal name
- Katchakid, Inc.
- Website
- https://katchakid.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Katchakid, Inc. is a Houston, Texas-based, family-owned manufacturer and certified installer of residential pool safety nets, removable mesh fences, and Katchaleaf debris covers, serving U.S. homeowners with children or pets since 1972.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Katchakid industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pool Safety Equipment
- akta.pro primary industry
- Safety & Compliance Services (Covers, Fences, Inspections) (HSAIALAL)
Keywords
Where Katchakid is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Katchakid business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Pool Safety Net Sales and Installation: Custom-designed and installed pool safety nets sold directly to residential pool owners. Includes professional installation by Katchakid certified technicians. One-time purchase with warranty coverage of 5 years for parts and labor.
- Pool Fence Sales and Installation: Removable mesh pool fences with self-latching gates installed by certified technicians. Sold as custom-configured systems with 10-year warranty.
- Katchaleaf Pool Cover Sales and Installation: Fine mesh debris covers custom-shaped to pool dimensions, installed by certified technicians. Includes 5-year warranty. Non-transferable to subsequent homeowners.
- Repair and Service: Warranty and non-warranty repair services for existing Katchakid products. Includes site assessment, drilling, installation repairs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Custom Pool Safety Solutions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
Katchakid product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Katchakid manufactures, sells, and professionally installs pool safety barriers for residential swimming pools. Its core products are a central-tension pool safety net (ASTM F1346 compliant), a removable mesh pool fence with self-latching, key-lockable gates (ASTM F2286 compliant), and the Katchaleaf fine-mesh debris cover. Each system is custom-designed, hand-fitted to the customer's pool shape on-site, and installed by Katchakid's own certified technicians.
Product overview
Katchakid offers a suite of swimming pool safety barriers and covers designed to prevent drowning incidents. The core product portfolio consists of four main offerings: the Pool Safety Net (invented in 1972, a mesh cover stretched over pools anchored to deck fasteners), the Pool Fence (vertical barrier with self-latching gates in 15-foot removable sections), the Katchaleaf Pool Leaf Cover (fine mesh debris cover allowing water drainage while blocking debris), and the Pond Safety Net (semi-permanent black netting for decorative ponds). An optional Combo Leaf Cover combines the safety net and Katchaleaf for dual protection. All products are custom-designed and installed by Katchakid certified technicians.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Katchaleaf: Katchaleaf is a custom-shaped mesh pool leaf cover designed to keep out leaves, twigs, and bugs while allowing water to drain through. It offers 70% shade to reduce evaporation and is not a pool safety product but a debris cover for seasonal leaf management.
Products and services
- Katchakid Pool Safety Net Removable UV- and winter-safe mesh pool safety net stretched over the pool and anchored to flush-mounted deck fasteners, designed as a physical barrier to help protect children and pets from open water. Meets ASTM F1346 standards and supports a minimum of 485 lbs. Custom-fitted and installed by Katchakid certified technicians for residential pool owners.
- Katchakid Pool Fence Removable vertical mesh pool fence in 15-foot sections with self-latching, key-lockable, self-closing gates, designed to prevent children from entering the pool area unsupervised. Fitted to any pool shape and meets ASTM F2286 standards. Sold and installed by Katchakid certified technicians with a 10-year warranty.
- Katchaleaf Pool Leaf Cover Custom-shaped fine mesh debris cover made from knitted polyethylene with 70% shade capability; keeps out leaves, twigs, pine needles, and bugs while allowing water to drain through. Includes proprietary EZ-Roller system for handling. Not a safety product but a seasonal debris and water-conservation cover sold and installed by Katchakid with a 5-year warranty.
- Pond Safety Net Semi-permanent coal jet-black pond safety net designed to blend into the environment; once plant growth establishes, becomes barely perceivable while providing a safety barrier over decorative ponds.
- Combo Leaf Cover Combination of the Katchakid Pool Safety Net and the Katchaleaf debris cover, providing both drowning prevention and seasonal leaf/debris management in a single integrated system.
- Pool Safety Net and Fence Repair and Service Warranty and non-warranty repair services for existing Katchakid products, including site assessment, drilling, and installation repairs for the company's pool safety nets, fences, and covers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Pool safety net supports minimum 485 lbs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Katchakid
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Katchakid technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Katchakid partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- American Lifeguard AssociationcoreEndorsement relationship where American Lifeguard Association endorses Katchakid pool safety net products as recommended by water safety experts. This endorsement provides credibility and legitimacy to Katchakid's drowning prevention mission.
- CPSC Pool Safely CampaigncoreKatchakid is a proud partner of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives national campaign to reduce childhood drowning. Company participates in public education efforts and promotes campaign messages.
- National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA)coreKatchakid works with NDPA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing drowning deaths. Mary Ann Downing serves as board member representing the company. Partnership focuses on drowning prevention education and advocacy.
- American Red CrosscoreKatchakid recommends American Red Cross resources for water safety education and CPR certification. The company promotes Red Cross drowning prevention materials and survival swimming lessons as part of their safety messaging.
- Pool Safely CampaigncoreFederal drowning prevention campaign mandated by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. Katchakid promotes campaign resources and participates in public awareness initiatives.
- Mary Ann Downing / Pool Safety Solutions, Inc.minorManufacturer's representative partnership since 2003. Pool Safety Solutions acts as sales representative for Katchakid products in certain territories, meeting with pool owners to promote pool safety barriers.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Katchakid competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pentair: Pentair is a major global pool equipment manufacturer covering pumps, filters, automation, and pool safety/compliance solutions. While its core is mechanical equipment, Pentair's residential pool business touches the same pool-owning homeowner customers and pool builder channel that Katchakid serves.
- S.R. Smith: S.R. Smith is a long-established broad-line supplier of residential and commercial pool products including railings, ladders, and safety accessories. While not a primary pool-safety-net/fence specialist, the company overlaps with Katchakid in pool safety hardware and serves the same residential pool installer channel.
- Hayward Pool Products: Hayward is one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of residential pool equipment including pumps, filters, heaters, and automation systems, and is sold through the same pool builder and pool supply distribution channels used by Katchakid. While not focused on safety barriers, Hayward addresses overlapping residential pool owner demand.
Direct peers
- WaterWarden: WaterWarden offers mesh pool safety covers designed to prevent accidental drownings, competing most directly with Katchakid's pool safety net and cover products. Both companies serve residential pool owners focused on child and pet safety with custom-fitted mesh barrier systems.
- Guardian Pool Fence Systems: Guardian Pool Fence Systems designs and installs removable mesh pool safety fences across the U.S., directly competing with Katchakid's pool fence product. Both companies sell to residential pool owners through quote-based, professional-installation channels with emphasis on child safety.
- Life Saver Pool Fence: Life Saver Pool Fence is a leading U.S. manufacturer and installer of removable mesh pool safety fences with self-latching gates, competing head-to-head with Katchakid in the residential pool safety barrier category. Both companies serve pool-owning families with custom-shaped, ASTM-compliant mesh fence systems installed by trained crews.
- Protect-A-Child: Protect-A-Child manufactures and installs removable mesh pool safety fences focused on child drowning prevention, directly competing with Katchakid. Both companies emphasize ASTM compliance, custom fitting to pool shape, and professional installation for residential pool owners.
- Baby Barrier Pool Fence: Baby Barrier is a long-established U.S. manufacturer and installer of removable mesh pool safety fences targeted at families with young children. The product line, customer base, and installation-based business model closely mirror Katchakid's pool fence offering.
- Pool Guard USA: Pool Guard USA designs, manufactures, and installs removable mesh pool safety fences for residential pools nationwide, directly competing with Katchakid's pool fence offering. The two companies share target customers (pool-owning families), mesh fence technology, and certified-installer distribution model.
Others
- Pool Safety Solutions: Pool Safety Solutions is a manufacturer's representative for Katchakid and related products in select territories, and is also connected to NDPA leadership. The relationship is partly distribution (channel partner for Katchakid) and partly ecosystem/thematic peer in pool safety advocacy.
Market position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Katchakid social profiles
Digital presenceKatchakid compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Katchakid financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Katchakid leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Katchakid funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Katchakid 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 Katchakid
What does Katchakid do?
Katchakid manufactures, sells, and professionally installs pool safety barriers for residential swimming pools. Its core products are a central-tension pool safety net (ASTM F1346 compliant), a removable mesh pool fence with self-latching, key-lockable gates (ASTM F2286 compliant), and the Katchaleaf fine-mesh debris cover. Each system is custom-designed, hand-fitted to the customer's pool shape on-site, and installed by Katchakid's own certified technicians.
Is Katchakid a public or private company?
Katchakid is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Katchakid founded?
Katchakid was founded in 1972. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Katchakid based?
Katchakid is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Katchakid make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Pool Safety Net Sales and Installation is the primary driver. The others are pool Fence Sales and Installation, katchaleaf Pool Cover Sales and Installation and repair and Service.
Who are Katchakid's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pentair, S.R. Smith and Hayward Pool Products. Direct peers are WaterWarden, Guardian Pool Fence Systems, Life Saver Pool Fence, Protect-A-Child, Baby Barrier Pool Fence and Pool Guard USA. Pool Safety Solutions is listed as an others.
Does Katchakid have an API?
No public API is recorded for Katchakid.
What industry is Katchakid in?
Katchakid's product category is Pool Safety Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAIALAL, Safety & Compliance Services (Covers, Fences, Inspections).