Certified to Serve: Raising the Bar in Aquatic Access
Family Roots. Global Standards. People-First Products.
At Aqua Creek Products, the way we do business has always mattered as much as what we build. Since 2002, we’ve built our business with a clear mission: to make aquatic spaces more inclusive, empowering people of all abilities to enjoy the water with confidence and dignity. But how we go about it – that’s what sets us apart.
We started as a family-owned business, and that’s exactly how we intend to stay. Today, as a woman-owned company and the creators of industry-leading, award-winning aquatic access products, our values haven’t changed.
Our commitment to quality, consistency, and accountability has only grown stronger as our team and product line has expanded. This year, Aqua Creek became an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Certified facility. It’s a milestone that underscores not just what we build, but how we build it.
Why ISO 9001:2015 Matters
ISO 9001:2015 might sound like alphabet soup, but what it really comes down to is trust. ISO certification is an internationally recognized quality management standard that requires a company to prove, through audits and documentation, that every process is consistent, repeatable, and focused on continuous improvement.
It’s not a one-and-done achievement. It means we’re committed to doing things the right way every single day — from the first cut of steel to the last bolt tightened. For aquatic retailers, facility owners and managers, ISO certification translates to peace of mind. When you choose Aqua Creek, you’re choosing products manufactured under a system designed to minimize risk and maximize reliability.
In an industry where shortcuts can be tempting, ISO separates innovators from imitators. It ensures that when we say our lifts, rails, and ladders are safe, durable, and built to last, those claims aren’t just marketing lines — they’re backed by a globally recognized standard.
Aqua Creek has always pushed boundaries to ensure safety and reliability. Because when people use aquatic access equipment, mistakes are not theoretical — they have real consequences. ISO doesn’t eliminate risk, but it ensures the company you work with measures and manages those risks systematically.
Products with Purpose
Of course, certifications only matter if they translate into better products – and that’s where our story comes to life. For us, ISO 9001:2015 isn’t a badge to hang on the wall. It’s a framework that guides how we bring new ideas to life.
Take our pool lifts. For more than two decades, Aqua Creek has been the trusted name in aquatic access. We were the first aquatic access manufacturer to pursue third-party verification for ADA accessibility safety standards, and later, we were the first manufacturer to join the technical panel that created the UL Safety Certification for pool lifts, helping define standards for the industry.
Now, in 2025, we’ve expanded our product line to include rails and ladders, another equally important component of accessible aquatics. This expansion is a natural progression for Aqua Creek and complements our existing product mix perfectly. That’s why we designed our rails and ladders with the same care and attention as our lifts, engineered to meet ADA compliance standards and provide safe, reliable entry and exit for all users.
Our new line carries the same DNA as our lifts: built in Montana, engineered with care, and available with custom options to complement any pool environment. Whether it’s a therapy pool needing ADA-compliant grab rails or a resort upgrading its ladders for aesthetics and safety, these products give facilities more options to create truly inclusive aquatic spaces.
Beyond Compliance: Why It Matters
Here’s the truth: accessibility isn’t just about equipment. It’s about people.
For someone with mobility challenges, something as simple as a grab rail can turn dependent moments into independent ones. For a child learning to swim, a ladder can provide confidence and sense of security. For an adult recovering from surgery, a pool lift can allow them to access the aquatic therapy their doctor recommended.
That’s why we view our products as more than metal and mechanics. They’re freedom, they’re safety, they’re dignity. And thanks to ISO, they’re also consistent — designed and manufactured in a way that ensures every single customer gets the same standard of care.
Lessons for Canada’s Aquatic Future
In Canada, accessibility legislation is still evolving. The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) aims for a barrier-free nation by 2040, but the details for commercial pools haven’t fully taken shape yet. This is where lessons from the American experience — and from Aqua Creek’s journey — can offer valuable guidance.
When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was updated in 2010, many facilities scrambled to catch up. Some invested early and were ahead of the curve; others delayed and faced challenges. The facilities that thrived were those that partnered with companies who not only understood compliance, but also cared about user experience.
Aqua Creek is ready to help Canadian aquatic professionals future-proof their investments. Rails, ladders, and lifts that meet high standards today will ensure facilities are aligned with tomorrow’s regulations, while also serving their communities in the here and now.
The Montana Difference
Montana isn’t just where we’re located — it’s part of who we are. Nestled in the heart of Big Sky country, our shop reflects the values that have guided Aqua Creek since day one: honesty, hard work, and a commitment to doing things the right way. Here, handshakes still mean something, and relationships aren’t just transactions — they’re partnerships built on trust. From the first weld to the final inspection, every product that leaves our facility carries that Montana mindset.
Family-owned and Montana-tough, we like to be hands-on in ways that larger companies can’t be. We know our customers by name. We don’t do phone trees. We make ourselves readily available to our customers to help with installations or troubleshooting. And we aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty.
Our small-town ethos, paired with global quality standards, creates a rare combination: products meticulously engineered and people who genuinely care.
Owner and CEO, Krystal Guilhemotonia, sums it up perfectly: “People are Aqua Creek’s greatest asset. That’s what Dad always said; the people make the company. And that is just as true today as it was when we were only three people strong.”
The Montana difference is about more than commitment, it’s about perspective. Out here, you learn patience, problem-solving, and resourcefulness — qualities that shape the way we design and build aquatic access solutions.
A Certified Future
The pool and spa industry is changing, and expectations for accessibility are rising. At Aqua Creek, we see that not as a challenge, but as an opportunity. An opportunity to lead with integrity, to innovate with purpose, and to ensure that no one is left on the sidelines of aquatic recreation.
Becoming ISO 9001:2015 certified isn’t the end of our story — it’s the foundation for what comes next. From lifts to rails and ladders, our products reflect a commitment that’s bigger than steel and bolts. It’s about building environments where everyone can belong.
And if we’ve learned anything over the past two decades, it’s this: when you raise the bar, you don’t just set a new standard. You open the door — or in our case, the pool gate — to a world where access is for all.
Watch our Rails & Ladders Product Video.
Let’s create more inclusive aquatic spaces together.
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