News

Aquascape Inc. Announces Expansion of Marketing Department

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Aquascape Inc., North America’s leading innovator in the water features industry is excited to announce support of brand expansion by strengthening its marketing department.

“Aquascape continues to develop and expand marketing resources for contractors, retailers, and distributors,” says Greg Wittstock, founder and CEO of Aquascape. “To strengthen our support and services, we broadened our marketing team to meet the demands of today’s increased marketing challenges."

Scott Rhodes, Vice President of Marketing
Scott moves into his new role as Vice President of Marketing, having previously served as Director of Product Marketing for Aquascape since 2008. With 27 years of experience in marketing, sales, management, and product development, Scott’s knowledge and background is a key catalyst for future growth.

Aveline Hauser, Director of Marketing
With 17 years’ experience in brand management, strategic planning, digital marketing and integrated marcom initiatives; Aveline joins Aquascape as Director of Marketing. Her proven reputation in the marketing industry will help continue positive momentum of the Aquascape brand at both the wholesale and consumer level.

Julie Canning, Marketing Project Manager
Julie joins Aquascape from Feld Entertainment where she assisted in the development of the firm’s project management software. She successfully managed hundreds of projects in her role as Broadcast Fulfillment Manager. Julie is responsible for managing multiple marketing projects for Aquascape, from catalog production to video publication and beyond.

Matt Augustine, Product Copywriter
Previously serving as a customer care team lead for Aquascape, Matt moves into his new role as product copywriter. Matt’s strong knowledge of pond products made the transition to the product team an obvious choice.

Aquascape Inc. Announces New Hires to Customer Care Team

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Aquascape Inc., North America’s leading innovator in the water features industry, is pleased to announce the recent growth of its customer care team to support new and existing clientele.

“Water features are once again growing in popularity and the need for increased customer support is evident,” states Colleen Heitzler, president of Aquascape. “I’m excited to welcome our newest customer care representatives who service our valued distributors, retailers, and contractors.”

Michael Hammer, National Sales Manager
Michael joins Aquascape from Rugby IPD Corp where he served as general manager of the Chicago distribution center and as partner in $120 million wholesale distribution. Michael brings a strong leadership dynamic to Aquascape’s customer care team, with 20 years of experience leading operations and sales teams.

Brad Heuser, Inside Sales Representative
Brad joins Aquascape with 12 years of customer support experience, having most recently served at In the Swim, a manufacturer of pool supplies. Brad’s extensive training and experience leading sales teams make him a valuable addition to the team.

Lori Noethen, Inside Sales Representative
With more than 20 years of experience and an infectious energy, Lori’s ability to quickly develop relationships with customers makes her an enviable asset to the Aquascape customer care department. Lori spent 6 years working in the pool industry earning valuable product knowledge.

Ruben Gonzalez, Territory Sales Manager
Ruben brings 16 years of green industry experience to Aquascape, having previously worked at TruGreen Chemlawn, Ewing Irrigation, and Horizon Irrigation. Ruben became knowledgeable of Aquascape product during his 9-year employment span at Ewing Irrigation, where he received 7 awards from Aquascape.

Aquascape Inc. Featured on MSNBC "Your Business" Show

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Challenges and adversity helped create the success that Aquascape experiences as the North American leader in the water features industry. MSNBC discovered the dynamic story behind Aquascape and its founder, Greg Wittstock, and highlighted the ups and downs that led to the decline and rebirth of this thriving pond company.

Following is the MSNBC feature of Aquascape's eventful and inspiring story.

Aquascape Inc. Named One of the Healthiest Companies in America

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Aquascape Inc. is proud to announce national recognition as one of the Healthiest Companies in America by Interactive Health, a national leader known for its personalized wellness solutions. Aquascape is one of 154 companies across the country being recognized for helping employees make significant and sometimes life-saving changes to improve their health.

With the help of strategic and flexible wellness initiatives, the Healthiest Companies in America recipients have accomplished tremendous success, achieving participation rates in excess of 70 percent and a low-risk health score for their total population, based on rigorous and clinically sound health evaluations.

“Aquascape has always been committed to the health of its employees and we’re extremely excited to receive this recognition,” states Greg Wittstock, founder and CEO of Aquascape, Inc. “In addition to providing quality health care benefits, our company headquarters houses a 5,000 square foot fitness facility and sports courts for employees and their families to enjoy.”

Interactive Health’s workplace wellness programs transform companies and their employees by helping people understand how they can improve their health. Beginning with a thorough health evaluation to identify risk, individuals learn more about their health status through: rapid outreach by health coaches, connection to personal physicians and other resources, and a personalized course of action.

For more information on Healthiest Companies in America, visit http://interactivehealthinc.com/client-success/healthiest-companies/.

Aquascape Announces New Decorative Spillway Bowls

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Aquascape is proud to announce a unique way to create beautiful fountainscapes with its new decorative Spillway Bowl, Basin, and Stand. Hand-casted in glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC), the Spillway Bowls have the appearance of a formal handcrafted stone fountain at a fraction of the weight, making the decorative water feature extremely easy to install.

“The Aquascape Spillway Bowl, Basin, and Stand allows for an unlimited amount of installation possibilities,” explains Dave Kelly, Vice President of Product Development for Aquascape, Inc. “The Spillway Bowl and Basin can be installed as a standalone disappearing water feature, or several bowls can be linked together for an amazing display.”

Aquascape Spillway Bowls have a unique and beautiful patina, are light weight, and easy to install. Learn more about Aquascape’s new Spillway Bowl, Basin, and Stand.

Aquascape Announces New Automatic Dosing System for Ornamental Water Features

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Aquascape is excited to announce its new Automatic Dosing System for ponds fountains, and Pondless Waterfalls. The system was designed to help water feature owners maintain optimal water quality by accurately and consistently applying their choice of water treatment.

“In order for water treatments to work correctly, they need to be added on a regular basis,” states Scott Rhodes, Director of Product Marketing for Aquascape, Inc. “Our new Aquascape Automatic Dosing System is dependable, easy to use, and fully programmable.”

Four water treatment options are available for use with the Automatic Dosing System to maintain, clean, clear, and protect your water feature. The dosing system automatically adds your selected water treatment product to the pond or water feature several times per day, helping maintain optimum water quality and clarity.

Features of the Automatic Dosing System include:

Easily dial in the correct amount of treatment based on water feature size.
Simple adjustment for increasing/decreasing dosage.
X2 dosing selector for new ponds and spring start-up.

Learn more or purchase the Aquascape Automatic Dosing System.

NAT GEO WILD’S New Series Pond Stars Transforms Typical Backyards and Community Spaces into Private Paradises

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0500

A backyard is a terrible thing to waste, especially when it has the potential to invigorate the surrounding ecosystem. But, what’s a homeowner to do? Beginning this fall, they can call the Pond Stars – a group of some of the world’s best pond builders, who can turn any barren plot into an attractive, inspirational and even, healing oasis.

From the wetlands of Northern Florida to the mountains surrounding California’s San Gabriel Valley, Nat Geo WILD’s latest series introduces viewers to a new type of behind-the-scenes adventure and a number of furry, feathered and scaled critters. Led by longtime pond expert Greg Wittstock, or “The Boss,” the team uses its unique expertise and appreciation for the outdoors to tackle these challenging assignments.

Wittstock, who has successfully developed a childhood hobby into Chicago-based Aquascape Inc. – North America’s leading supplier of water gardening supplies – is joined in Season I by co-workers and outdoor enthusiasts Ed Beaulieu (“The Scientist”), Brian Helfrich (“The Foreman”) and Chris Hanson (“The New Guy”). Together, the team presents more than 75 years of experience in the business, having spent decades both training and educating on backyard redesign. Each team member brings a distinct expertise and personality to the series’ transformations and plays a pivotal role in reconnecting clients with the nature around them.

Pond Stars premieres Tuesday, September 9th, 2014 at 10 p.m. EDT / 7 p.m. PDT.

For more information on the show, please visit www.NatGeoWild.com or contact PondStars@miller-pr.com.

Aquascape Inc. Announces New 2014 LED Garden and Pond Lighting

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0500

Aquascape announces its all-new 2014 LED Garden and Pond lighting options which can be fully submersed or used in traditional landscape settings. All 2014 Aquascape LED lights consist of permanently sealed watertight fixtures and are backed by a limited 5-year full replacement warranty.

“We’re excited about our new line-up of Garden and Pond LED lights,” claims Dave Kelly, Vice President of Product Development for Aquascape, Inc. “Our newest component fixtures feature a die-cast metal housing, finished with a 3-part brushed architectural bronze coating providing a durable finish that holds up in all weather conditions.”

Additional features and benefits of Aquascape’s 2014 LED lights include:

Five-year full replacement warranty.
Warm, natural-looking light color that blends in easily with traditional halogen lighting.
Up to 90% energy savings compared to halogen lighting, with 30 times longer bulb life.
Easy to install quick-connect system.

Aquascape’s LED Garden and Pond lights are available in a variety of options, including three sizes of LED spotlights, an LED waterfall and landscape accent light, LED fountain accent light, and a DIY spotlight kit that includes 3 lights pre-wired for easy installation.

Aquascape, Inc. Announces UltraKlean™ Biological Pressure Filter for Ornamental Ponds

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 00:00:00 -0500

Aquascape proudly announces the launch of its UltraKlean™ Biological Pressure Filter with high-output ultraviolet clarifier with integrated electronic bulb-saver feature.

“We’re excited to offer the UltraKlean™ as a trouble-free mechanical and biological filtration option for pond owners,” states Scott Rhodes, Director of Product Marketing for Aquascape, Inc. “Not only is the UltraKlean™ easily integrated into both new and existing ponds, but it has a simple-to-use cleaning feature that allows the unit to be backwashed in less than 5 minutes without having to open the canister or get hands dirty.”

Features and benefits of the UltraKlean™ Biological Pressure Filter include:

Efficiently traps dirt and debris and eliminates green water
Provides optimal filtration for ponds up to 3,500 gallons
Includes Aquascape UltraKlean™ Bio-Media and T5 high-output ultraviolet clarifier/sterilizer
Cleaning indicator light that signals when filter requires backwashing
Electronic ballast ensures optimum wattage and bulb output

Aquascape’s UltraKlean™ Biological Pressure Filter is available in 2 different sizes: the UltraKlean™ 2000 treating ponds up to 2,000 gallons and the UltraKlean™ 3500, treating ponds up to 3,500 gallons. For more information on Aquascape’s products and services, log onto www.aquascapeinc.com or call 866-877-6637.

The Aquascape Foundation Installs 25,000 Gallon Aquascape Rainwater Harvesting System (previously branded RainXchange) in Kanuwloe, Ghana

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0500

St. Charles, IL – A team of Aquascape Foundation volunteers installed a 25,000 gallon rainwater harvesting system at the International Needs Network School in Kanuwloe, Ghana the week of February 23rd, 2014. The newly installed Aquascape Rainwater Harvesting System (previously branded RainXchange) provides clean drinking water for approximately 700 school children and their families year-round and creates the ability to prepare one hot meal per day.

Ed Beaulieu, director of field research and contractor development for Aquascape Inc, designed the school’s rainwater harvesting system to collect run-off from village’s elementary and junior high schools, while Aquascape technical agent Chuck Catton managed construction of the project.

Captured rainwater is stored in a sub-surface chamber then passed through a solar-powered pump, UV filter, and micron filter into a 750 gallon storage tank. The stored rainwater is gravity fed to a faucet for easy access.

“The Kanuwloe village has no direct source of water nearby so the ability to capture, filter, and reuse rainwater is critical to the life and health of the people in this area,” says Carla Wittstock, president of the Aquascape Foundation. “We’re so grateful to have a dedicated team of volunteers who traveled and labored to make this live-saving project a reality.”

The Aquascape Foundation worked with H2O 4 ALL and the I.N. Network in Hudsonville, Michigan to locate a school in need of clean drinking water. The I.N. Network’s mission is to connect partners in community development around the world.

Aquascape Foundation volunteers who participated in the rainwater harvesting project included foundation president Carla Wittstock, Wayne, IL; Aquascape tech manager, Chuck Catton; John Adams of Modern Design Aquascaping in Friendsville, TN; April and Sean Frost of NatureScapes in Grafton, NH; Diane and Chris Baker of Across the Pond Aquascapes in Doylestown, PA; Jaak Harju of Atlantis Water Gardens in Denville, NJ; Kathy Smith of Tropical Water Gardens in DeLand, FL; Jason and Joe Turpin of Turpin Landscaping and Pond Source in Downingtown, PA; Tom Lupfer of Lupfer Landscaping in Lyons, IL; Steve Tingley of Tingley Landscapes LLC in Camillus, NY; Alan Tingley from Danville, NH; Timothy Muttoo of H2O for All in Canada; and Terry Heyward and Teri Van Hekken of I.N. Network USA in Hudsonville, MI.

For more information on the Aquascape Foundation and its mission, log onto www.aquascapefoundation.org. For information on Aquascape’s RainXchange® rainwater harvesting system, visit www.aquascapeinc.com.

The Aquascape Foundation is a not for profit 501 (c) 3 organization established in 2008. The mission of The Foundation is to create sustainable solutions for the world-wide water crisis. The purpose of The Foundation is to promote awareness of water as our most precious resource through environmental, educational and philanthropic efforts.

Aquascape is North America’s leading innovator in the water gardening industry. Aquascape invented the low-maintenance, naturally balanced ecosystem pond that is the # 1 contractor-installed water garden. The St. Charles, Illinois headquarters, dubbed “Aqualand,” received Silver Level recognition in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating system. Aquascape’s mission is to help our customers succeed at building, selling, and retailing water garden products while supplying innovative products and solutions that capture, clean and reuse our planet’s most valuable resource - water. Aquascape and its vast network of Authorized AquascapePRO™ Distributors sell exclusively to contractors and retailers. Founded in 1991, Aquascape made the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies four years in a row. In 2005, founder and CEO Greg Wittstock was named one of America’s Best Bosses by FORTUNE Small Business Magazine and Winning Workplaces™.

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Aquascape Inc. Launches Aquascape Academy

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0600

Aquascape Inc. is excited to offer 20+ years of water feature industry expertise through two new educational portals; Aquascape Academy Online that launches January 1st, 2014, and instructor-led classroom and hands-on training sessions held at the company headquarters beginning January 21st.

“Aquascape is embracing the digital frontier by providing free online training for anyone wishing to learn about installing, maintaining, marketing, and retailing water features,” states Greg Wittstock, founder and CEO of Aquascape, Inc. “I couldn’t be more excited to leverage Aquascape’s broad range of experience and resources to educate others on the business and lifestyle of water features!”

Aquascape Academy Online offers a variety of free courses to help contractors, retailers, and distributors succeed and prosper with water features. Course components continuously evolve for varying degrees of experience and knowledge and include video sessions, iPad tutorials, a variety of digital resources, PowerPoint presentations, and quizzes to test knowledge gained throughout the coursework. Water feature professionals are able to access the online training platform to help fulfill requirements for becoming a Certified Aquascape Contractor. What’s more, participants can earn badges to share on social sites to document their progress!

Also being offered is Aquascape Academy Hands-On training and classroom sessions at Aqualand, the company’s corporate headquarters located in St. Charles, Illinois. The free two-day, instructor-led classroom and hands-on training sessions educate attendees on why water features are a smart choice for growing their business and expanding profits in 2014 and beyond. Hands-on construction segments are held in Aquascape’s new climate-controlled training facility and provide valuable in-the-field experience for both new and experienced water feature installers. The combined classroom and hands-on sessions are currently slated for January 21-22, February 18-19, and March 4-5.

For more information about Aquascape Academy Online or to register for instructor-led classroom and hands-on sessions, call 866.877.6637 or visit www.aquascapeacademy.com.

Aquascape, Inc. Announces New Algaecide Product for Ornamental Water Features

Tue, 19 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0600

Aquascape is proud to announce its new Algaecide to help pond and waterfall owners combat string algae and green water. Aquascape Algaecide is a liquid algae control product ideal for use in ornamental fish ponds, water gardens, fountains, and container water gardens.

“The number one complaint of ornamental water feature owners is the occurrence of unsightly string algae and green water,” states Scott Rhodes, Director of Product Marketing for Aquascape, Inc. “Our new Aquascape Algaecide greatly reduces pond maintenance by effectively clearing green water and controlling string algae.”

Benefits and features of Aquascape’s Algaecide include:

Stops algae growth
Eliminates green water
Fast-acting and easy to use
Can be used in ponds and fountains with fish and plants

Aquascape Algaecide is available in 4 different sizes ranging from an 8.5 oz bottle treating up to 2,500 gallons of water to a one gallon container treating up to 40,000 gallons of water. To check for availability of Aquascape Algaecide in your area, call 866-877-6637. For more information on Aquascape’s products and services, log onto www.aquascapeinc.com.