Recognised for their expertise and quality service in pool installation, Australian Outdoor Living took out the top prizes in the residential fibreglass pools under $40,000 and over $40,000 categories at the National Wine Centre on July 29.

Australian Outdoor Living Pool Division General Manager Michael Robinson says the company prides itself in offering customers the 'best of the best' in swimming pools right down to the design, shapes, sizes, colours, installation and landscaping.

"To be singled out as being the best in the business reflects our core values as a company in making sure our number one priority is our customers," Mr Robinson said.

The saltwater swimming pools from the Majestic range won both categories at the SPASA SA Awards and included features such as gas heating and paving.

"It's an example of team work, listening to our customers and ensuring the highest safety standards are implemented when installing a swimming pool," he said.

"Each Barrier Reef pool Australian Outdoor Living installs comes with a 25 year structural warranty. We are confident our customers will enjoy this wonderful asset for years to come entertaining family and friends."

It's expected South Australia will experience a hotter and drier than average summer with the weather bureau forecasting daytime temperatures above average in late 2011 and early 2012.

"A swimming pool from Australian Outdoor Living is a quality investment and can be installed within four weeks after council approval and by purchasing heating you are guaranteed comfort everyday of the year," Mr Robinson said.

Australian Outdoor Living is the exclusive SA dealership of Australia's premier name in pools, Barrier Reef Pools, which is the largest fibreglass pool manufacturer in the country.

Established in 2005 Australian Outdoor Living is also a a market leader in outdoor blinds, artificial lawn, roller shutters, verandas and pergolas and timber decking.

For more information and testimonials visit http://www.australianoutdoorliving.com.au

this article can be found online at http://news.yahoo.com/australian-outdoor-living-gold-swimming-pools-223210588.html

SPLASH PLANS - Building a new home is the perfect time to consider installing a pool

Sunday Mail - Home Magazine, p14, 31st July 2011

Deciding to build a pool early in the planning process for your new home will make it easier for you to liaise with your builder, co-ordinate pool building times with that of the house and ensure approvals are completed on time.

There are some traps people may be unaware of when installing a swimming pool but also some tips to make the process easier.

Michael Robinson, director of the pools division with outdoor home improvement specialist Australian Outdoor Living, is an industry expert with a high level of experience in the sale and installation of pools.

"The biggest factor to consider is access to the backyard as many new homes, once built, only have narrow access areas or are blocked by a garage," he says.

"Ideally if you are building a new home, decide whether or not to install a pool early on in the process, preferably when planning with your builder.

"This means the equipment required to build the pool can access the backyard without the hindrance of a house. If you are working to a set building schedule, you do not want an installer that is lagging behind and setting back the progress of your new home."

Michael says an installer needs to work closely with the home builder to ensure they can gain access to the site. For a fibreglass pool, a full day of excavation will take place where 100 tonnes or more of soil and rubble will be removed from a property. Then the pool floor base will be set ready to have the fibreglass pool shell craned into the yard.

"It is not the installation process that can catch people by surprise but rather the approval process that needs to be undertaken with the local council," he says. "A new pool will not be approved by a council until the house building application is approved.

"Plans for a pool can be submitted with the house plans but the home owner will need to have decided on a pool builder. This is so the pool builder's engineer's specifications can be submitted with the house plans."

Keeping the heat on for a winter dip - Jessica Haynes

Adelaide Advertiser - Trader Liftout, p4, 6th May 2011

JUMPING into a swimming pool may be the last thing on your mind this winter but it can be an inviting leisure option this season with a few little tricks of the trade.

With a range of items including solar covers and pool heaters, you  can keep your pool warm enough for use throughout the cooler months of the year.

Manager of Pleasure Pools Kym Dickeson says there are three main options to heat your pool.

"First you have solar, then you have an electricity-run heat pump and then the gas heat pump," he says.

"Solar is great for the summer, but only for around seven or so months of the year. For long-term heating, the electric pump heater is the most efficient, and you can get your pool to around 27 degrees.

"It takes around two days to heat the pool and once it's done, you must keep a cover on it."

For those wanting daily use of their pool for exercise and rehabilitation purposes, Mr Dickeson says electrical heaters are the way to go, but for people wanting short term heating, gas remains the best option. Installing an electrical heater can cost between $6000 and $10,000 compared with gas heaters which cost between $4500 and $5000.

"Gas heating on demand is a great option if you are having a party or are entertaining once or twice a month. In winter your pool stays around 14 degrees, so if you turn on the heater around 4am to 5am, by around 2 o'clock in the afternoon you should have a pool heated up to 28 degrees," he says.

State general manager of Australian Outdoor Living Laurie Mallia says heating during the winter is a great way to make the most out of your pool.

"You can use your pool all year round. For such a great lifestyle item you can use it right through the year rather than the five or so months of warm weather over the summer period," Mr Mallia says.

He says now is the best time to buy, with a range of different specials available and recommends a combination of solar and gas heating for more energy conscious consumers.

"From a climate perspective, solar is a great option in summer, but not so great in the winter. If you complement solar with a gas heater it won't cost you too much in the long run," he says.

Some skills are only learnt with age

Adelaide Advertiser, p19, 31st March 2011

LEE Matthews, 60, has no plans for retirement after working for 18 months at home improvement company Australian Outdoor Living.

The artificial lawn sales manager said he needed to keep working to "start again" in his new life in Australia since he moved back from the UK two years ago.

But like all mature workers, he has industry and employment experience which is needed in the workplace.

"I think I have a lot more to offer with experiences, life experiences, to pass on," he said.

He said he held specific knowledge because of his career in sales which staff could only learn on the job and not from studying books.

"I've been out there and done it," he said.

"I think (the owners) recognised that when I came on board as well. "At my age, I don't get many opportunities but Australian Outdoor Living  recognise the experience I've got and I use that to my advantage."

He said all workplaces could benefit from initiatives which helped mature staff stay in the workforce longer to retain and pass on their skills.

Mallia Keeps Customers Happy - Alexandra Economou.

The Advertiser, SA Business Monthly, back page, 2011

AUSTRALIAN Outdoor Living has increased its national staff numbers from 85 to 250 in the past year.

AOL's new general manager for South Australia Laurie Mallia says the business is continuing to expand and has just opened its first outlet in New South Wales.

"Our business is focused on the home improvement sector." he says. "It's more about aspirational products and lifestyle products. People are feeling the pinch and they are not moving as much and not going out as much.

'People are looking at (improving) their own backyard and I think Australian homeowners have had to get smarter and wiser about how to spend their time and money."

AOL sells a range of Australian-made products such as cafe blinds, timber decking and instant lawn. Its blinds, for example, are manufactured at AOL's Royal Park headquarters.

Mr Mallia says the company is also expecting to launch a couple of new product lines this year, including outdoor kitchens. "We have got a real on-going commitment to Australian-made products and we won't compromise on integrity," he says.

"We are really committed to finding (staff) who are committed to providing a great customer experience. We have got people who are excited to come to work and about helping customers."

Mr Mallia says AOL is also looking to expand its business into Tasmania.

The company was founded in Adelaide, in 2005.

Outdoor Decor Maker's Blind Ambition

In Business Magazine, pg 75, 2010

Australian Outdoor Living has seen strong demand-driven growth, with in its manufacturing operations jumping to two shifts at the beginning of 2010.

The South Australian outdoor lifestyle improvements firm has seen staff numbers jump more than 80% since it began making outdoor blinds in August 2006.

"We now employ 15 people at our Royal Park factory using state-of-the-art equipment." MD Colin Kuchel says.

"The manufacturing operation is one of, if not the biggest in Australia specialising only in exterior shade and cafe blinds."

AOL started making blinds when difficulty sourcing a reliable supplier began to impact customer relations.

"We had little to no experience in making blinds but this played to our advantage," Colin says. "Our wholesale clients and even suppliers raised their eyebrows initially but we have become an industry leader by going against the grain.

"The team prides itself on offering the best service, meeting deadlines and tailor-making products."

AOL's growth has enabled reinvestment to foster development of standards beyond expectations.

"All precision work  is done digitally and the factory recently installed a $150,000 plotting table usually reserved for the high - quality crafts of curtain and dress making," Colin says.

Another $200,000 has gone to commission a machine to eliminate off cuts of waste metal tubing used for blind axles. The machine will cut monthly waste by $5000 to $10,000. It will also use up "dead stock" now stored in the facility.

"We see the future as bright for our manufacturing business because the product we offer is high quality, well-priced and matched with superior service from staff," Colin says. "We don't see demand for outdoor blinds dropping anytime soon."

Established in 2005, Australian Outdoor Living offers outdoor lifestyle products such as artificial lawn, roller shutters, verandas and pergolas, timber decking and swimming pools.

Brain Drain to a Trickle - Cara Jenkin

Adelaide Advertiser, CareerOne, pg 1 & 2, 12th June 2010

FEWER workers are leaving South Australia for interstate, with latest figures showing more people are choosing to further their careers by staying here.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show a slow decline in the number of people leaving for interstate in the past three years.

In the 2006-07 financial year, 27,211 people left the state for greener pastures, but in 2007-08 the number decreased to 26,850.

The exodus declined slightly to 26,324 people leaving in 2008-09.

So far this financial year, the brain drain has continued to slow, with 5,729 people heading interstate in the September quarter.

It was the lowest number of people leaving the state in a three-month period in more that 20 years and the smallest exodus in one quarter since September, 2006.

The figures come as unemployment in SA in the past year reached a record low and was the lowest in Australia. However, the number of people heading interstate still outstrips the number arriving by 4,683 people.

University of Adelaide professorial research fellow Professor Graeme Hugo says the decline in people leaving in the past three years shows the increased tendency for young people to stay close to home - a result of the troubled economic climate in the past two years.

But he says the state economy has improved ahead of others, which is presenting employment opportunities in SA so workers do not have to move away to find work.

Stayers Taste The Benefits

"People are probably less willing to take change on getting a job interstate than previously," Professor Hugo says.

"Unemployment did go up as a response to the (global economic) crisis and we have tended to notice that people tend to be more conservative and less likely to go interstate."

Stillwell Management Consultants managing director Daryl Stillwell says the world's economic uncertainty has caused many young jobseekers - who might otherwise have left Adelaide to work interstate or overseas - to remain at home.

"They are staying put, if in doubt," he says.

"They may not have their ideal place of employment, but are thinking 'If I leave, I will be the last hired therefore the first laid off."

Australian Outdoor Living production manager Kim Eiseman, 20, has no plans to leave Adelaide to further her career in the building industry. She started at the company after finishing high school as a junior receptionist and has worked her way up in the past three years.

She now runs the roller shutters division.

Ms Eiseman says there are many opportunities for young workers to develop a career without leaving South Australia.

"I think, to be frank, a lot of people undervalue the younger staff they have because they don't have the experience," she says.

"Where a lot of my friends and I have come from and grown up, it's pushed us to work hard."

"Being young, there are opportunities for growth."

She hopes to move further up the ladder as the company continues to expand across Australia out of its Adelaide base.

'For me in the building industry, I can see the rate at which Adelaide is growing and it's an outcome that is available to people living here now," she says.

Easy Yard a Time Saver - Alexandra Economou.

Adelaide Advertiser, Boomer, pg 14, June 2010

BOOMERS are looking for easy ways to maintain their homes and gardens, such as installing instant lawn, so they can enjoy their retirement.

Australian Outdoor Living (AOL) says instant lawn saves water, fertiliser and mowing.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average Australian female spends 20 hours a week on household work, compared with 11 hours by men.

AOL director Colin Kuchel says his customers are looking for ways to improve their lifestyle by travelling and spending time with grandchildren.

"They no longer want to be spending days maintaining the lawn," he says. "Instant lawn can pay for itself within five years when you take into account the cost of watering, mowing and fertilising."

AOL manufactures lawn in a variety of lengths.

Mr Kuchel says lawn which is not maintained can be a sign that a home is unoccupied.

"Retirees shouldn't have to worry about whether their home will be safe if they are away," he says.

Roller shutters are also proving popular with boomers - not only for deterring potential intruders but to save on energy costs.

no fuss:

HAZEL Clarke and her husband were looking for ways to make life easier around the home.

One of the areas they looked to was their garden and they decided to put down instant lawn to save time on maintenance. "My husband was getting too old to mow the lawn," Mrs Clarke says. "It is nice to be able to see a neat lawn every day."

She says low-maintenance lawn has given her more time to spend in the garden and with family, including her 13 grandchildren. Her husband has also done some paving and painting to finalise their new-look outdoor area.

Families in the Swim with Home Entertainment - Natalie Robertson

Guardian Messenger, pg 28, 28th April 2010

The demand for inground pools in Adelaide is booming as families choose to entertain more at home.

Australian Outdoor Living managing director Colin Kuchel said while sales were strong across the metropolitan area, 30 per cent of the pools installed in the past 12 months had been in the north and northeast.

"I think people have been taking advantage of the greater equity they have accumulated in their homes and they are enjoying it by putting in a pool," he said.

"With the water restrictions they are replacing lawns with pools, decking and synthetic lawn."

Mr Kuchel said the demand was mainly from families with young children, with most spending about $30,000 to put in a pool with solar heating.

"I think they also see it as a good investment - increasing the value of their home."

He said larger block sizes available, particularly in the north and northeast, made it easy to accommodate a pool.

"You could say that business is booming."

"We have put in 200-plus pools so far this financial year. The demand has been quite staggering. We pulled back a bit on the advertising to give us time to deal with the demand." There was a trend by South Australian homeowners towards outdoor living projects and entertaining more at home, Mr Kuchel said. "Instead of going out for drives on the weekend or holidaying away from home they are choosing to entertain more in the backyard."

The Collison family, of Munno Para West, recently installed a pool at the new home they moved into last year.

"We moved here from England about 13 months ago - we wanted to live the Australian lifestyle and be outdoors a lot," Ms Collison said.

"Now that we have the pool we entertain outside and we are about to put in a verandah."

Families in the Swim with Home Entertainment - Natalie Robertson

Southern Times Messenger, pg 45, 28th April 2010

The demand for inground pools in Adelaide is booming as families choose to entertain more at home.

Australian Outdoor Living managing director Colin Kuchel said while sales were strong across the metropolitan area, 30 per cent of the pools installed in the past 12 months had been in the north and northeast.

"I think people have been taking advantage of the greater equity they have accumulated in their homes and they are enjoying it by putting in a pool," he said.

"With the water restrictions they are replacing lawns with pools, decking and synthetic lawn."

Mr Kuchel said the demand was mainly from families with young children, with most spending about $30,000 to put in a pool with solar heating.

"I think they also see it as a good investment - increasing the value of their home."

He said larger block sizes available, particularly in the north and northeast, made it easy to accomodate a pool.

"You could say that business is booming."

"We have put in 200-plus pools so far this financial year. The demand has been quite staggering. We pulled back a bit on the advertising to give us time to deal with the demand." There was a trend by South Australian homeowners towards outdoor living projects and entertaining more at home, Mr Kuchel said. "Instead of going out for drives on the weekend or holidaying away from home they are choosing to entertain more in the backyard."

The Collison family, of Munno Para West, recently installed a pool at the new home they moved into last year.

"We moved here from England about 13 months ago - we wanted to live the Australian lifestyle and be outdoors a lot," Ms Collison said.

"Now that we have the pool we entertain outside and we are about to put in a verandah."

Owners Pooling Their Investment - Natalie Robertson

News Review - pg 60

Leader Messenger - pg 34

City North Messenger - pg 32

East Torrens Messenger - pg 21

THE demand for inground pools in the northern and northeastern suburbs is booming as families choose to entertain more at home.

Australian Outdoor Living managing director Colin Kuchel said 30 per cent of the pools installed by the company in the past 12 months had been in the north and northeast.

"I think people have been taking advantage of the greater equity they have accumulated in their homes and they are enjoying it by putting in a pool," he said.

"With the water restrictions they are replacing lawns with pools, decking and synthetic lawn."

Mr Kuchel said the demand was mainly from families with young children, with most spending about $30,000 to put in a pool with solar heating.

"I think they also see it as a good investment - increasing the value of their home."

He said larger block sizes were available in the north and northeast to accommodate a pool.

"You could say that business is booming."

"We have put in 200-plus pools so far this financial year. The demand has been quite staggering."

"We pulled back a bit on the advertising to give us time to deal with the demand."

There was a trend by South Australian homeowners towards outdoor living projects and entertaining more at home, Mr Kuchel said.

"Instead of going out for drives on the weekend or holidaying away from home they are choosing to entertain more in the backyard."

The Collison family, of Munno Para West, recently installed a pool at the new home they moved into last year.

"We moved here from England about 13 months ago - we wanted to live the Australian lifestyle and be outdoors a lot," Ms Collison said.

'Now that we have the pool we entertain outside and we are about to put in a verandah."

The Collisons were attracted to the block sizes in the outer northern suburb, and with 0.2 ha - the traditional half-acre block - they have enough room for the pool, entertaining and garden.

Pooling Their Investment

Weekly Times, pg 38, 28th April 2010

Great outdoors - at home

THE Collison family, of Munno Para West, have joined a trend by South Australian homeowners towards outdoor living projects and entertaining at home.

They recently installed a pool at the new home they moved into last year.

"We moved here from England about 13 months ago - we wanted to live the Australian lifestyle and be outdoors a lot," Melissa Collison said.

"Now that we have the pool we entertain outside and we are about to put in a veranda."

The demand for inground pools in Adelaide is booming as families choose to entertain more at home.

Australian Outdoor Living managing director Colin Kuchel said while sales were strong across the metropolitan area, 30 per cent of the pools installed in the past 12 months had been in north and north east.

"I think people have been taking advantage of the greater equity they have accumulated in their homes and they are enjoying it by putting in a pool," he said.

"With the water restrictions they are replacing lawns with pools, decking and synthetic lawn."

Mr Kuchel said the demand was mainly from families with young children, with most spending about $30,000 to put in a pool with solar heating.

"I think they also see it as a good investment - increasing the value of their home."

He said larger block sizes available, particularly in the north and northeast, made it easy to accommodate a pool.

"You could say that business is booming."

"We have put in 200-plus pools so far this financial year. The demand has been quite staggering."

Putting In Pools Made Easier 

Weekly Times Messenger, pg 36, 10th March 2010

South Australia's Australian Outdoor Living understands that buying a pool is a big step for any family and makes the process easy as a one-stop shop for all of their clients' needs.

The leading outdoor home improvement specialist not only sells and installs pools but coordinates all paperwork and planning, even council approvals.

Australian Outdoor Living managing director Colin Kuchel said buying and installing a pool could be a daunting and time consuming process but his company made it easy for customers to achieve their dream of enjoying a beautiful swimming pool in their backyard.

He said AOL prided itself on keeping its customers up to date during the process, taking any stress out of the unknown. 

"There can be pitfalls for the unaware, so AOL takes care of everything from the initial quote to design, and council approval to installation," Mr Kuchel said.

AOL is the exclusive SA dealership of Australia's Barrier Reef Pools.

Barrier Reef Pools is the largest manufacturer in Australia, with the country's biggest pool manufacturing facilities, and has an array of state-of-the-art, fibreglass pools to choose from, according to AOL.

"Each Barrier Reef Pool comes with a 25-year structural warranty ensuring you and your family can enjoy this wonderful asset for years to come.", Mr Kuchel said. Australian Outdoor Living added swimming pools to its product line in July 2009 and has already become one of SA's largest pool installers. 

"South Australians have come to trust AOL when it comes to pools because we are reliable, customer service is a top priority and we offer full training after sales service once your pool is installed," Mr Kuchel said. Established in 2005, Australian Outdoor Living is a market leader in outdoor lifestyle home improvements, encompassing outdoor blinds, artificial lawns, roller shutters, verandas and pergolas, timber decking and swimming pools.

AUSTRALIAN Outdoor Living managing director Colin Kuchel saw the global financial crisis as a time to "clam up or expand".

He chose measured growth for the company he founded in Adelaide in 2005. Since then, the business - which manufactures cafe blinds and sells a range of outdoor products such as verandas and artificial lawn - has acheived turnover of $35 million and stores in four states. AOL employs 55 people in South Australia and 85 nationally.

"When the GFC and the doom and gloom first came about I looked at it and thought 'I have two options, I can clam up or expand," he said. "We increased our advertising and increased our profile knowing that maybe the homeowner is more conducive to maintaining and improving their home, as opposed to buying, selling and upgrading."

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that in the three months to June last year, $98.2 million in alterations and additions were made to residential buildings in SA.

Mr Kuchel said AOL was committed to selling only Australian-made products, which included the cafe blinds it manufactured from it's headquarters at Royal Park.

After almost five years of strong growth, the next 12 months would be about consolidation. "Our next step is about practice, policy, occupational health and safety, and those sorts of things," he said. "Our next plan (products) is outdoor kitchens and then the next move from there is the full backyard makeover."