King Technology, maker of FROG water care products, has introduced its newest product, FROG Algae Blocker 4Pro. With over two decades of experience in the algaecide business, King Technology’s goal wasn’t just to release another algaecide but to design a product that is more effective and easier to use. After nearly six years of development and testing, FROG Algae Blocker 4Pro is available through King Technology’s early buy program, with shipments beginning in February.
Designed by pros, for pros
When it comes to algaecides, there are several options on the market for pool pros, which pushed the team at King to ensure their product raised the bar.
“If we’re going to do it, we’ve got to do it differently, but we don’t want to just do it differently — we want to do it better,” says Alex Granlund, product marketing manager at King Technology.
Granlund explains that the algaecide was designed with pool service professionals in mind. FROG Algae Blocker 4Pro comes in premeasured pods that work for up to six months. With no weekly dosing required, service pros save time and can take care of more pools.
We listened [to pros] and took their feedback. We looked at almost every aspect of this products and tailored it to them.”
Alex Granlund, King Technology
“We listened [to pros] and took their feedback,” Granlund says. “We looked at almost every aspect of this product and tailored it to them.”
This feedback affected the design of everything from the delivery device to the packaging. The pods come in a bucket with an easy flip-open top, and there’s no packaging waste left behind at jobsites.
Perhaps one of the most significant features is the product’s copper-based formulation, which boasts four distinct stain protectors to prevent surface staining, a common concern with copper products. King Technology also offers a 90-day algae-free guarantee.
An innovative delivery system
The simplicity and efficiency of FROG Algae Blocker 4Pro stand out to Dwayne May, King Technology’s regional sales manager, who has firsthand experience as a service technician. The compact, pod-based design allows service techs to carry everything they need in one trip — a huge improvement compared to lugging around bottles of liquid algaecide that take up valuable space in a truck, he says.
“With an average-sized pool only needing two pods — something you can literally fit in your pocket — it is much easier to take everything in one trip from the truck,” May says.
May also highlights how the delivery system was developed with feedback from service professionals. The fabric pods were designed to be durable yet fast-acting, dissolving at a controlled rate to release the active ingredients without causing staining. This innovation mirrors developments in other industries, such as laundry and dishwasher detergents, where pods are replacing liquid products.
A focus on efficacy and reliability
Behind the scenes, King Technology has put FROG Algae Blocker 4Pro through rigorous testing. Brett Libby, King Technology’s principal scientist, played a critical role in developing and testing the product.
“We wanted something with less of a footprint when it goes into the pool skimmer and something with less environmental impact, so that led us to these fabric pods,” Libby says. “We tailored the delivery so the material dissolves fast enough to get into the pool quickly but not so fast that you’re going to get a big blue amount of material in there. The fabric itself meters it out in a nice manner.”
Libby’s team conducted extensive testing at King Technology’s state-of-the-art facility in Minnesota. By comparing the new product with other algaecides on the market, they fine-tuned the formulation and delivery system to ensure it works under various conditions. The pods have been tested in both the lab and outdoor pools, giving King Technology confidence in the product’s performance.
“We’re really lucky with our resources, from small-scale lab stuff to large testing areas with multiple bodies of water,” Libby says. “We can put the product through its paces.”
Supporting pool professionals
Another key consideration for King Technology was supporting pool professionals not only with an effective product but also with a business model that ensures profitability. Granlund says that the FROG Algae Blocker 4Pro won’t be sold on Amazon, a decision made to protect service professionals’ margins.
“We’ve tried to make it profitable so the servicer can sell this in a service plus chemistry model, and they won’t have to worry about the homeowner seeing this for cheaper online — they won’t be able to go around them,” Granlund says.
The marketing for Algae Blocker 4Pro features a more product-focused design compared to other items in the FROG lineup. Its mostly black and white packaging, with a smaller, offset FROG logo, highlights the product’s features rather than emphasizing the brand.
“We get one chance with this target market, and if it doesn’t work, they’re not going to use it or talk about it,” Granlund says. “We really wanted the focus to be on this product and show we stand behind it 100%.”
