Timeline
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timeline
The roots of Golden Coast stretch all the way back to 1977, when David Adams founded his own pool, spa, and sauna installation business.
In the years since we first opened our doors for business, we have seen the wet leisure industry transform. From humble beginnings, it has become a vibrant and profitable sector worth around £260 billion today.
Over the course of 50 years, we’ve been a part of each step along the way, from early innovations in swimming pool tech to today’s state-of-the-art products utilising Bluetooth and A.I. When our customers work with us, they benefit from all this history – and the knowledge of a team whose combined experience totals hundreds of years.
1977 – 1990
David Adams builds a pool in his back garden during the summer of ’77 as Britain basks in record breaking temperatures and dry weather. Initially driven by his desire to provide his sons with something to splash around in, he quickly identifies a gap in the market for a pool builder and begins to receive interest from locals looking for a pool of their own.
Even at this early stage, David pioneers the use of solar heating using Alkathene pipe and chooses a tricky reinforced concrete construction with Marbalite finish.
1980 – 1983
As Golden Coast continues to grow from strength to strength, the company installs the first ever level deck pool in North Devon, complete with reinforced concrete spa, sauna and steam room. Soon the company has to move to new larger premises on the outskirts of Barnstaple, achieving SPATA membership at the same time.
During ‘82 the company benefits from exposure at the Cater ’82 show in Torquay and undertakes the installation of two of the largest Calorex heat pumps ever produced.
1983 – 1986
The company hits the headlines when an indoor pool installed locally wins a prestigious SPATA Gold Award. Growth is fuelled by diversification of the product range to include sunbeds, exercise equipment, saunas and spas. A year later, David Adams becomes South West Regional Chairman of SPATA.
In 1985, Golden Coast reaches a milestone as the company ceases pool building and moves into distribution, representing a range of brands including TylÓ§ Sauna of Sweden. The company continues to lead the way with new technology and innovation, acquiring a range of early computers to manage accounts and stock.
David Adams becomes SPATA President. During his one year tenure, he secures thousands of pounds in sponsorship for the industry from Calor Gas, in part to promote the idea of swimming pool ownership to the general public.
1987 – 1990
Golden Coast hits the headlines after the Interbuild Exhibition, held at the NEC, Birmingham. Coverage follows the innovative move towards marketing the total wet leisure package at trade shows outside the sector – the first and only distributor to do so.
The company acquires land on the new Roundswell Business Park and starts to build its first custom designed distribution premises during ’88, moving into the premises during 89. That year, Golden Coast is appointed Certikin distributors and exclusive UK distributor for Tylo Sauna.
1990 – 1993
The business continues to go from strength to strength, earning a reputation for innovation, both in terms of the products offered and the marketing and PR tactics used. The reputation is not unfounded, in ’91 the company sources the innovative Kugel water feature, 10.5 ton of stone ball, which is placed in the then Prudential HQ in central London. Later that year, HM The Queen takes time to view another Kugel supplied to the Severn and Trent Water Authority by Golden Coast.
In ’93 the first of many HGVs joins the now growing fleet of vehicles allowing for deliveries across the UK and regular collections of automatic pool covers from Holland.
1994 – 1995
During ’94 Golden Coast achieves another first, investing in Computer Aided Design (CAD) & Desk Top Publishing (DTP). The new technologies enable the company to continue building a reputation for innovation and excellence in marketing and PR. The new CAD system aids their design of a 50m Olympic size standard pool with moveable bulkhead at Millfield School.
’95, and the company is the first in the industry to gain accreditation to BS570 reinforcing and recognising its commitment to quality.
1996 – 1999
Innovation after innovation as Golden Coast:
- Exhibits the Kugel in San Diego, USA
- Engineers fit a special effects water-spray ‘MEE’ fog system to ‘Oblivion’ at Alton Towers.
- Launches ‘Fresh Ideas’ at the Madejski stadium in Reading, offering the trade ideas to grow their businesses. Speakers included Tesco Club Card, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Royal Mail.
- Swimmer Water Analysis Software is launched and becomes the first in the world operating on the Windows platform.
2000 – 2004
Work starts on-site for new office and warehouse premises, reaching completion during 2001. The new offices boast an impressive 33,000sq ft of warehouse and offices, with enough space to stock £2.5m of stock. However, still growing rapidly, the company has to hunt for more space only one year later – a nice problem to have! A solution is found in 2003 when a further 3.75 acres is purchased adjacent to the existing site.
David Adams is awarded a Fellowship of the Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers (ISPE) in the same year as his son, Jamie Adams, serves as the South West Chairman for SPATA
2004 – 2006
Golden Coast and Marquis Spas team up with the Make-A-Wish foundation to help children with life-threatening illnesses. Working with the UK Marquis dealers, the first of many hot tub ‘wishes’ is for Rebecca who suffers from a neurodevelopmental disorder.
In 2006, David Adams retires as managing director, taking on the role of Chairman and handing over to his son Jamie, who together with brothers, Shaun and Dominic look forward to leading the business into another 30 years of successfully servicing the industry.
2007 – 2010
During ’07 Jamie Adams takes on the role of British Swimming Pool Federation President (BSPF) and Golden Coast celebrates 30 years in business. Having witnessed huge changes in the wet leisure industry, the company stays true to its roots, focusing attention on sourcing new and innovative products, developing new marketing and PR strategies and servicing its existing client base with high quality products.
2011
The company launches a series of innovative web based strategies designed to make the most of emerging technologies such as social media.
In support of the trade, consumer facing web sites are produced to connect consumers directly with trustworthy, independent suppliers within their own area and combat cheap products touted by international sites, sold to consumers who are unaware of the key issues associated with the quality and warranties of products.
A new B2B Web Shop is launched. Nearly 3 years in development and requiring the installation a purpose built studio to photograph thousands of stock lines, the shop is an instant success and exceeds initial projections within weeks of it going live.
2012
The results of the first ever Wet Leisure Survey are shared by the company at SPATEX. This industry initiative is extremely well received.
Golden Coast launch their own YouTube channel featuring Andy’s Answers and host marketing lectures at SPATEX
2013 – 2016
The company add Darlly, Triogen and EVA Optic to the list of world class brands that they represent.
A range of eBooks are launched and made freely available to the trade.
In Devon, solar panels are fitted to the office and warehouse roof and Golden Coast are a finalist in the prestigious North Devon Business Awards