ControlOMatic, a pool/spa automation maker based in Grass Valley, Calif., has sold its PoolWarden line of chemical controllers for commercial aquatics facilities, to focus on its line of salt chlorine generators. In doing so, it has also expanded its facilities.
The manufacturer sold to two former employees, who have started a new company. PoolWarden products now will be made, sold and shipped by Seaside Automation, owned by Gary and Alicia Baku.
Gary Baku will serve as COO. He began with ControlOMatic in 1999 when it was called Acu-Trol. He has led the assembly and contributed to the engineering of the PoolWarden chemical controllers for the last decade.
“We are very excited to have purchased the PoolWarden line of products,” he said. “This was a unique opportunity to continue to offer these technologically advanced chemical controllers and propel them into a broader market.”
Alicia Baku will serve as the company’s CEO. She previously worked in corporate business administration before managing the orders and AR department for the PoolWarden line.
The owners expect the company to run business-as-usual for this year, with new lines and products added in 2023.
The new company also is located in Grass Valley, Calif.
ControlOMatic itself has moved into a larger manufacturing facility, citing successful sales of its salt chlorine generator line.
The 50% increase in square footage will allow the company to make and assemble more product at once, increasing its output and reducing delivery times, the company anticipates.
“This expansion will allow us to handle the additional demand while also providing the space needed to bring new and innovated products to market,” said Terri Van Wagner, operations manager for the company.
ControlOMatic continues under the ownership of Founder Scott Lenney, with Melinda Kohnke serving as GM. Lenney started the company as Acu-Trol in 1997. Under the name ControlOMatic, it began producing spa chlorine generators in 2005 and electrolyzed water generators in 2020.
