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We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable 50th anniversary of our long-time client, Freedom Pools. This milestone is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
The Journey Begins
Founded in 1972 by Mr. Biernat, Freedom Pools began its journey by manufacturing fibreglass water tanks. Recognizing the potential of the swimming pool market, the company expanded its operations in 1984, establishing a manufacturing facility in Kenwick, Western Australia. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for Freedom Pools, with a focus on designing and manufacturing high-quality fibreglass swimming pools.
Growth and Innovation
Over the years, Freedom Pools has experienced significant growth and expansion. The company’s dedication to innovation led to the development of Marble Tech, a revolutionary pool finish that has set new industry standards. This, coupled with their commitment to customer satisfaction, has propelled Freedom Pools to become a leading name in the Australian and international swimming pool market.
International Expansion
They also started manufacturing in Spain to service the European market. One of Mr. Biernat’s innovations has been creating Marble Tech, a pool finish that gives the appearance of marble, is resistant to fading, and comes in a variety of colours and finishes. They’ve been winning awards since 1992, most recently the Biernats received a gold medal for their 50 years of service to the pool industry at the 2023 Swimming Pool & Spa Association WA awards. Freedom was also crowned WA Fibreglass Builder of the Year.
Partnership with Insight Advisory Group
Insight Advisory Group is proud to have been a trusted partner of Freedom Pools throughout their journey. We have provided strategic financial guidance, tax advice, and business support, helping the company navigate challenges and achieve its goals. Congratulations to the entire Freedom Pools team on this incredible milestone! We look forward to many more years of successful partnership.
The Secret to Success
While Bob Biernat will tell you the success of the family swimming pool business is about passion and drive, his wife Rona will tell you it’s about family. They’re actually both right, because the local, national, and international success of Freedom Pools has taken a good dose of both.
Early Beginnings
In 1972, inspired by the seemingly limitless potential of fibreglass, a young Mr. Biernat unwittingly set the stage to become a global leader in swimming pool manufacturing. Mr. Biernat and his brother-in-law John started by launching Narrogin Fibreglass two years later. Their initial focus was crafting fibreglass water tanks for farmers in the Wheatbelt. A venture that proved successful and paved the way for the diversification of their business.
Expansion and Rebranding
Living in Bunbury, they also started selling pools to farmers in surrounding country areas and later opened an outdoor centre called Outdoor Freedom Pools. By 1980, John and his wife Gill Buist sold their half of the company to Bob and Rona. Though they lamented losing family, the couple embarked on a new chapter of growth, marked by expansion and powered by Mr. Biernat’s relentless pursuit of quality and ingenuity. They also changed the company’s name to the well-known and loved moniker, Freedom Pools.
Establishing a Manufacturing Hub
While delivering tanks to a business on Albany Highway in Kenwick in 1984, Mr. Biernat spotted a vacant factory. It would make the perfect location for a swimming pool manufacturing division, while the tank manufacturing remained in Narrogin. They moved in, and despite a recession, business boomed. The Kenwick showroom has been their home ever since and this year celebrates its own anniversary of 40 years.
International Success
Before the Biernats knew it, they had sold their first 500 fibreglass pools overseas – customers loving Freedom’s colours, designs, and shapes. Very quickly, Freedom started making its mark internationally, exporting pools to countries such as England, Singapore, Japan, Myanmar, and Malaysia.
National Expansion
They employed their first manager in 1990 and in April that year bought a swimming pool business in South Australia and built a factory there. They eventually expanded in Victoria and New South Wales, added a manufacturing facility in Brisbane, and today have display centres and agents all over the country.
Awards and Recognition
They’ve been winning awards since 1992, most recently the Biernats received a gold medal for their 50 years of service to the pool industry at the 2023 Swimming Pool & Spa Association WA awards. Freedom was also crowned WA Fibreglass Builder of the Year.
Overcoming Challenges
Though a lot of the travel has been to national and international pool shows, the business has given the Biernats the freedom to see the world, something they hope to continue. They have also raised two daughters, both of whom have spent time working in the business. For Insight Advisory Group, working with a client for almost 35 years is almost as rare as a business celebrating 50 years.
Insight Advisory Group’s Role
During that time, Insight’s Stewart Blizard, group managing director and Principal of Tax and Advisory, has helped guide Freedom Pools and the Biernats. Through expanding nationally and overseas, weathering 17% interest rates, COVID, recessions, and a change in the corporate tax rate, Insight has been there as a steady partner.
Two years ago, when there was a fire in the Kenwick plant, Insight was at the Biernats’ side to help rebuild.
“You can spend a lot of time building a brand up and when things change around you, we can help a client push through,” says Mr. Blizard. “As the business has expanded and grown – like going overseas – that adds a level of complexity to our work with them.
“We’ve had challenging times together. We’ve had to find solutions and make decisions for the ongoing success of the company. What we love about working with family businesses is that we get to know the family. You can lay a solid foundation for a relationship and we love seeing them become successful, like Freedom Pools.”
The Future
Freedom Pools now has about 100 staff Australia-wide, with 25 staff locally.
“We love our people,” said Mrs. Biernat. “They come first before anything and that’s been hard when things are tough.
“I’m proud of our longevity and all the hard work and everything that goes with it to survive.”
Congratulations to Freedom Pools on their 50th anniversary! Here’s to many more years of success and innovation.
Read the full story at Business News.
