Industry veteran Steve Walls retires

After 23 years at the helm of Zodiac Group Australia, Steve Walls has retired from the industry.

Walls headed Zodiac since 1991, growing the business from relatively humble beginnings to one of the largest and most successful pool-related concerns in the southern hemisphere.

In Australia, Zodiac started as a marine business selling the famous Zodiac inflatables from modest warehouse in the Sydney riverside industrial suburb of Mortlake. There were seven employees and a product range that consisted of a handful of inflatable boats. Zodiac now has more than 300 employees in the southern hemisphere and a product range comprising thousands of stock keeping units (SKUs).

Under Walls’ leadership, Zodiac pushed into new territories – both geographic and product-related.

He made several strategic business acquisitions as the southern hemisphere region’s managing director over the past 15 years, including Driclad aboveground pools, Clearwater salt chlorinators, Premium Quality Chemicals, Pool Resources and most recently, Magnapool.

Bruce Brooks, Zodiac Global CEO says that Walls has made endless contributions to the industry, company and most importantly, to many people throughout his years in this business.

“His easy-going and positive demeanour is not only contagious, but made him well-like and respected within the company and with customers alike,” says Brooks.

Stephen Matysiak will assume the role of managing director. Matysiak has more than 20 years industry experience, most recently as managing director of Zodiac Poolcare Africa.

Steve Walls plans to enjoy his retirement and play more golf.