Pool & Spa News articles from April 2003

Pool & Spa News archives from April 2003

Hot tub manufacturers to stay with NSPI.
April 11, 2003... Ending weeks of uncertainty about the future of NSPI's hot tub segment, spa manufacturers have accepted an offer that keeps them within the trade organization. The National Spa & Pool Institute plan calls for the Hot Tub Council to receive...

Bain capital to buy Hayward.
April 11, 2003... Boston-based Bain Capital, one of the nation's leading private investment firms, signed a letter of intent to acquire the pool and plastic products business of Hayward Industries Inc., in March, according to company officials. Hayward's...

Questioning loyalties. (Reflections).
April 11, 2003... I am a ridiculously brand-loyal person. I eat at the same places, wear the same two manufacturers' clothing, and even buy the same salad dressing again and again. The reasons behind my purchases are highly specific. I buy Newman's Own...

More builders hiring in-house crews. (Making News).
April 11, 2003... Armed with a background in construction and an awareness of material costs, Ron Robertson began bringing the plumbing aspect of his pool business in-house in 1991. Over the years, he's steadily hired his own crews to do much of the work...

Swimmers livin' the wild life.
April 11, 2003... No matter where their routes may be, service technicians expect to occasionally find small animals in outdoor pools. But it's a whole different, and sometimes dangerous, story servicing pools in the wilds of South Africa. Solomon Ngoma, a...

NSPI to emerge from Chapter 11. (Making News).
April 11, 2003... The NSPI Board of Directors said it expects the organization to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy court this fall and has approved a reorganization plan. The board, which met last month in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., would not release details...

RTR Group changes brand name.
April 11, 2003... RTR Group, a Fayetteville, Tenn.-based manufacturer of one-piece composite fiberglass pools and spas, announced that it is re-branding its line of products. Formerly known as Duraglass Pools, RTR Group's pools now will be known as Trilogy. "We...

CGT comes clean.
April 11, 2003... Canadian General-Tower Ltd., a vinyl pool products manufacturer in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, has added regenerative thermal oxidizers to its manufacturing plant in an effort to substantially reduce the company's air emissions. Each of the...

SCP registers record fiscal year. (Making News).
April 11, 2003... Despite the economic challenges plaguing many American businesses last year, SCP Pool Corp., said to be the nation's largest distributor of pool supplies, recently announced record sales for 2002. Net sales for the year increased $129...

Housing starts slip. (Making News).
April 11, 2003... Unusually cold, wet weather across much of the nation in February, combined with economic and job-market weakness and expectations of a war in Iraq, contributed to builders' decisions to slow new-home construction from the near-record rate set...

Proposed law lets landscapers hire pool builders.
April 11, 2003... California State Assembly Bill 341, introduced Feb. 11, would make it legal for landscape contractors to subcontract a pool with a pool builder. If passed, this law would close a loophole, legalizing a practice that already takes place widely...

Sunstar expands to East Coast.
April 11, 2003... Sunstar Spa Covers has opened a factory in New Bedford, Mass. The move was designed to accommodate dealers east of the Mississippi River by allowing the manufacturer to offer more competitive freight costs and shipping times. The original...

Paddock goes commercial.
April 11, 2003... Paddock Pools, Patios and Spas has opened a commercial pool division to provide patio furnishings, pool supplies and accessories to resorts, apartment complexes and restaurants. The division also will offer chemicals and pool parts, and...

Region 3 show weathers the storm. (Making News).
April 11, 2003... Inclement weather prevented the NSPI Region 3 Conference & Exhibition from garnering the higher attendance figures its organizers had predicted, but an array of new features and events helped drive the show's success nonetheless. After...

Optimism shaken by war. (Making News).
April 11, 2003... The Small Business Optimism Index, released by the National Federation of Independent Business, fell 3.1 points in February to 96.1. "The three-point decline in the index was substantial and takes our growth forecast down to 2 percent," said...

Sale of Conseco finance approved.
April 11, 2003... Conseco Inc. (NYSE CNCE.OB), which filed for the third-largest bankruptcy in corporate history in December, will split and sell its Conseco Finance Corp. unit, a leading provider of pool-financing programs, to two groups in a deal valued at...

Existing-home sales up and down. (Making News).
April 11, 2003... Sales figures for single-family dwellings registered both up and down. Bad weather kept house hunters indoors in February, so sales dipped 4.3 percent. Nevertheless, sales posted their fourth best month on record. Existing-home sales hit a...

ASLA issues call for design award entries.
April 11, 2003... The American society of Landscape Architects has issued its 2003 Awards Call for Entries. The four categories are design, analysis and planning, research and communications. "Any truly successful project is a result of a collaborative effort...

`Heaven' under renovation.
April 11, 2003... GPM Industries Inc., is expanding its West Virginia facility where the firm manufactures its Almost Heaven Saunas. The company acquired the line three years ago and credits tremendous growth in the sauna industry with its need to expand. At...

Correction.
April 11, 2003... In the March 14, 2003, issue of Pool & Spa News, David Williams, president and CEO of The Spa Depot in Olympia, Wash., was mistakenly identified as being affiliated with The Pool & Spa Depot. Pool & Spa News regrets the error.

New code allows only four-sided fencing. (Making News).
April 11, 2003... The Orange County (Calif.) Board of Supervisors has created a new ordinance that makes permanent, four-sided fencing the only allowable device to meet pool-safety requirements here. Previously, the county's pool-safety ordinance allowed for...

Jitters send leading economic indicators lower. (Making News).
April 11, 2003... The Leading Economic Indicators Index fell in February for the first time since September 2002 to now stand at 111.1. Uncertainty over war in Iraq, as well as severe weather in February, is reflected in the widespread weakness, particularly in...

Acu-Trol taps regional sales manager.
April 11, 2003... Richard Diebold has been hired as regional sales manager at Acu-Trol Programmable Controllers, an Auburn, Calif.-based manufacturer of automatic programmable controllers for pools, spas and pump rooms. Diebold is responsible for sales in the...

Falzer to join Water Tech team.
April 11, 2003... Water Tech Inc., a New York-based company dedicated to bringing new product ideas to market in the pool industry, has hired Mike Falzer as national sales manager. Falzer will be responsible for sales of all products in the pool and spa division...

BYK-Gardner USA hires two.
April 11, 2003... BYK-Gardner USA, a manufacturer of color-testing equipment based in Columbia, Md., has added to the management team of its retail color systems division. Mike Burns was tapped for director of sales; Elaine Becker was named product manager,...

Slaughter named Georgia `Star'.
April 11, 2003... Deborah Slaughter, customer care team manager for BioGuard and BioLab Inc., a pool and spa chemical manufacturer based in Duluth, Ga., has been named recipient of the SOCAP 2002 Georgia Star Award. SOCAP International is an association of 3,000...

In memoriam.
April 11, 2003... Robert (Bob) L. Glonek, CEO of Viking Pools in Wyoming, Mich., died Jan. 30 after a battle with cancer. He was 72. The father of four had been an active industry member since the mid-1950s, creating innovative spa manufacturing and marketing...

Sins of the boss: first Paul Porter and Keith Harbeck cleaned up their boss' mess. Then they started their own $45-million company. (People).
April 11, 2003... Paul Porter and Keith Harbeck know a lot about second chances. With a lot of hard work and a brutal test of their convictions, Porter and Harbeck, CEO and president, respectively, of Premier Pools & Spas Inc., came back from the brink of...

Internal investigations: investigating employee complaints reduces your liability. (Legal Eagle).
April 11, 2003... Sometimes an employee comes to you with a complaint or issue that requires more than a discussion to resolve it. It requires an investigation. The main goal of any investigation is to provide a sound, factual basis for decisions by...

Seeing the light: 12 steps to selecting the right pool lights, and installing them safely. (Equipment Clinic).
April 11, 2003... When replacing a pool light, it's essential to select the right light and install it properly. Otherwise, lighting can be inefficient--and even unsafe. To avoid those problems, take the following steps: 1 First and foremost, identify...

Top 50 Products of 2003: the new products that readers are most interested in and where you can get them.
April 11, 2003... Products are nothing new to the pages of Pool & Spa News. You see them in our magazine every issue. What you don't see are the products that you, our readers, have selected as the most promising new products available--the products you...

A draining experience: a pool builder's fight to change Florida's dual main drain code--and 50-year-old industry assumptions.
April 11, 2003... You might think anyone who runs a pool business, raises a family and home-schools four kids would barely have time to think, let alone help spark a revolution. But, then, you haven't met Maria Slaby. Between business, family and teaching her...

Unforeseen circumstances: your contract must acknowledge unforeseen construction problems, and lay out who's responsible for them or--you'll end up paying the price.
April 11, 2003... As any builder can attest, you never actually know the scope of a project until it's completed. So, many things can happen along the way. In the time it takes to hear that telltale "ting" when the backhoe hits rock, the project price can...

Reading the signs: why your outdoor sign may be telling customers to stay away.
April 11, 2003... Every day, hundreds, even thousands, of potential customers drive by your store. What if you could place a giant, invisible magnet outside your door that would draw all of them in and force them to buy your products? Your cash register would...

Modular surrounds, outdoor furniture. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... A&B Accessories Features: company offers easy-to-assemble modular surrounds and outdoor furniture; designed with maximum degree of flexibility; selection of tables, planters, benches, handrails, stools, lattice panels, towel holders and...

Spa lift SLE. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Aquatic Access Features: provides easy access to spa for users with limited mobility; water-powered: can be user operated; simple installation; made to lift passenger over 36-inch and 48-inch walls Offering: dealer pricing; engineers...

Portable and inground hot tubs. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Baja Products Ltd. Features: hot tubs feature KleenSpa self-cleaning spa system, Turbostream, WeatherWrap, Microban, NightScape LED spa light, Baja Smartub, and Modular cabinets; three distinctive lines available Offerings: floor-plan...

Max air spa blowers. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Air Supply of the Future Features: designed for super-quiet operation with new high-performance motor Contact: Air Supply of the Future Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (800) 848-3077 Circle 296 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION...

Butler spa cover lift. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Aquatic Specialties Features: durable aluminum construction; works with most spas 8 feet wide or less, according to manufacturer Offerings: four-color packaging; same-day shipping Contact: Aquatic Specialties Inc., Oceanside,...

Pool and spa controls. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Balboa Instruments Features: company offers its SpaConnect software for service technicians, which provides real-time, interactive diagnostics using a cell phone, driven by proprietary software; the Balboa Dolphin Remote (shown), a...

The Pro Spa lift. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Aqua Creek Products Features: fully automatic Pro Spa is constructed of quality stainless steel; comes standard in a UV-resistant powder-coat finish; new access lift has 300-pound lifting capacity, using either water or 24V electric...

`Being' spa aromatherapy. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Avecia (BaquaSpa) Features: bromine-free; chlorine-free; four aromatic blends, named Reflect, Release, Enlighten and Awaken; designed for easy use; made exclusively for spas Offerings: samples available Contact: Avecia (BaquaSpa),...

Portable spas. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Barefoot Spas Features: company offers spas with exclusive Mitsubishi touch screen controls, telescoping filters and waterfalls Offerings: exclusive territories; factory sales, and service support; full line of marketing and POP...

Aluminum spa covers; bath lights. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Be-Lite Features: company's all-aluminum covers provide additional protection for children and pets, and immunity from the sun's harsh effects; spa and whirlpool bath lights also offered Offerings: sample cover program; stand-up cards...

Hot tubs. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Beachcomber Hot Tubs Features: company offers model 578 and 720RI hot tubs, featuring Aquacoustics Surround Sound Offerings: quarterly factory promotions; marketing support; protected operating districts; co-op advertising program;...

552 custom spa. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Bullfrog Intl. Features: company offers spas featuring five interchangeable JetPaks, five seats and two industrial grade pumps Contact. Bullfrog Intl., Bluffdale, Utah (801) 565-8111 Circle 306 on Postage-Free Card ...

2003 system series lounger spa. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Cal Spas Features: company offers spas featuring 40 standard jets, including 20 Euro Storm jets; seats five; includes lounger seat; waterfall and neck jets optional Contact: Cal Spas, Pomona, Calif. (800) 225-7727 Circle 307 on...

Elation spa. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Caldere Spas Features: 2003 Elation Spa includes 39 jets, a CD ozone generator, an EcoTech synthetic wood cabinet and the SpaGlo LED interior/exterior lighting system; also features Aquatic Melodies, a new, built-in, surround-sound stereo...

Spa accessories. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... California Design Group Features: company offers maintenance-free spa storage steps, planters, side bars and plastic lumber steps Offerings: 5 percent off when ordering by the pallet Contact:. California Design Group, Akron, Ohio...

Funscents spa fragrances, spa boss. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... CAPO Industries Ltd. Features: company offers eight fragrances designed to leave skin feeling soft; Spa Boss spa chemical line also available Offerings: counter-top displays, new POP materials and packaging design Contract: CAPO...

KISS rubber ducks. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Celebriducks Features: company offers extensive line of original, collectible celebrity bath ducks; ducks can be used in hot tubs and feature the likenesses of icons of entertainment, athletics and history Contact:. Celebriducks, San...

Quartet (rhythm series) spa. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Clearwater Spas Features: measures 78-by-78-inches; 24 jets; reflective thermal insulation and Durafloor construction Offerings: national flooring programs; protected territories Contact: Clearwater Spas, Woodinville, Wash. (800)...

2003 Wailea. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Coast Spas Mfg. Features: available in 20, 28, 40 or 50 jet configurations; standard options include black and stainless steel jets, full foam insulation, equipment enclosure, the Coast Guard SystemT Franklin 4.5 or 7hp pumps and the new...

Spa-in-a-box. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Comfort Line Products Features: company carries full line of lightweight, portable spas; Antigua Trinidad Nevis Spa-N-A-Box goes anywhere and plugs into 110v outlet, per maker Contact. Comfort Line Products, Fort Myers, Fla. (941)...

Handi-spa pad. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Confer Plastics Features: eliminates the need to pour a concrete pad for spa placement; all-plastic construction; durable pads connect together; six pads cover an 8-by-8-foot area Offerings: freight Paid demo special Contact:...

Spa accessories and cover lifts. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... The Cover Valet Features: company offers a number of spa accessories, including The Cover Valet, The Cover Caddy, The Cover Rock-It, The Cover Stand, Spaside Handrail; Spaside Umbrella Offerings: multiple incentives Contact: The...

Ultra-lite quad-fold spa cover. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Covertech Fabrication Features: six internal "c" channels; 560-pound tensile webbing, eight to 12 locking buckles; weather-resistant vinyl top; meets ASTM standards, per maker Contact:. Covertech Fabricating Inc., Etobicoke, Ontario,...

Thermal spa covers. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Custom Spa Coven Features: company often four cover grades, including a fiberglass reinforced cover, manufactured using quality domestic vinyl with UV-, chlorine- and weather-resistant finish; custom shapes and many colors available, per...

Sarena bay spa. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Dimension One Spas Features: Sarena Bay 120-by-92-by-40-inch luxury spa seats up to eight;, available in white and platinum, the spa features two BioForm recliners with no-float angles; a SportZone seat and six OptiMounts that accommodate...

One piece two-tone embossed pillows. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Dynasty Spas Features: two-tone padded headrests are much larger and softer, each pillow is custom molded to match the contour of the spa, allowing for a snug fit; gray and black pillows are UV-treated so they are resistant to fading and...

Spa air blowers. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... El Nino Air Systems Features: compact design; large mounting base; made to be whisper-quiet; ball-bearing motor for optimum performance; fully rated and UL-approved Offerings: full two-year warranty;, on-time delivery; glueless...

New vantage spa. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Features: spas feature 72 massage jets, four pumps, 5.5kW heater, waterfall, turbo and Tsunami jet; Hydro Vile stereo; towel warmer, aromatherapy Offerings: free dealer merchandising kit; multimedia and standard literature; co-op...

Spa accessory catalog. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Features: features complete line of spa accessory and maintenance products; 20-page catalog is designed as a self-mailer and includes an all-weather step, available with or without storage, the new STARburst LED lighting system, Analyze...

Portable spa platform. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... EZ Pads Features: pre-fabricated, two-segment spa platform is connected by a self-adhesive hinge; designed to provide a solid, level surface; lightweight, portable, easy to install; manufactured of high-density, 3-inch-thick expanded...

Spa covers. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Florida Spa Covers & Vinyl Specialties Features: fast turnaround on orders, per maker; 1- and 2-pound, lightweight, walk-on and custom covers; virgin foam cores; UV- and mildew-protected marine vinyl Offerings: volume discounts;...

Portable spas. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Freeflow spas Features: company offers spa shells with a failure rate under .003 percent Offerings: 30-year warranty offered on all spa shells Contact: Freeflow Spas, Ontario, Calif. (866) 961-7727 Circle 326 on Postage-Free...

Rendezvous fragrances. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... GLB Pool and Spa Features: in-spa fragrances are safe for all spa finishes, per maker, available in four scents: Tahitian Moonlight, St. Moritz Sunrise, Aegean Twilight and Mediterranean Breeze; 8-ounce bottles and 1-ounce sample pouches...

Rubadub tub. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Great Northern Engineering Features: customized seating and jet placement; lightweight; will fit through doors, halls and stairways, per maker Offerings: literature; tiered pricing Contact: Great Northern Engineering, Minneapolis...

Portable spas. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Hawkeye Spas Features: company offers spas with telescoping filters and waterfalls Offerings: exclusive territories; factory sales and service support; full line of marketing and POP materials Contact: Hawkeye Spas, Richmond, Va....

Parts for spas. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Horizon Spa and Pool Parts Features; this specialty spa-parts wholesaler stocks thousands of parts for all spas; special orders and equipment repairs; free catalog; all stock orders ship same day; per company Contact: Horizon Spa and...

UL-Listed covers and accessories. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Ideal Spa Covers Features: company offers full line of spa covers, cover lifts with specialty mounting brackets Offerings: fast lead times, according to manufacturer Contact: ideal Spa Covers Inc., Orange, Calif. (714) 288-9996....

Hydro-therapies-wellness fragrance line. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... InSPAration Features: products include SpaCandles, the After Spa line of hand and body lotions; Body Misthydrants formulated for after-spa use; and Spa Pearls spa and bath crystals from the Day Spa collection Contact: InSPAration,...

Hot tubs. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Jacuzzi Premium Features: company offers its redesigned hot tub product line, which includes eight models; PowerPro Jet system with four types of patented jets provides 50/50 air-to-water ratio; Water Rainbow adjustable waterfall available...

The HEET. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... L.A. Spas Features: company offers the HEET (Hydro Extreme Ergonomic Therapy) spa; product features include three pumps and more than 100 jets, Aqua Pure filtration system and quadrant therapy system Contact: L.A. Spas, Anaheim, Calif....

CitraBright, pH Balance Plus and EsScents gift packs. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Leisure Time Features: CitraBright has cleaning power of citrus in spray-and-wipe formula that cleans and degreases almost any surface; pH Balance Plus offers pH-locking power of original pH Balance, but is specially formulated for hard...

Spa pillows. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Mantec Services Features: constructed of quality materials; suction cup or permanent attachment systems; variety of colors, styles Offerings: one-year warranty; customized services Contact: Mantec Services Inc., Seattle (206)...

Mirage limited edition spa. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Marquis Spas Features: 120V/15 amp plugs into standard outlet; 15 hydrotherapy jets; DuraWood all-weather cabinet; DuraBase all-weather spa base; includes tapered, insular ed safety cover; constant clean-water management; distinctive...

LS750 FST. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Master Spas Features: spas feature four pumps, 63 jets, seats six or seven adults, pop-up 1S-inch flat-screen digital TV, high-end Sony CD/DVD stereo system, hi-fi marine stereo speakers; waterproof multifunctional remote Offerings:...

FunTub. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Medallion Pools Features: strong, yet lightweight aluminum construction; assembles easily in virtually any location; wide variety of liner colors from which to choose Offerings: full-color brochures; Web-based customer referral...

2003 martique shadow series. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Moon Water Spas Features: four to five person seating capacity; custom mahogany cabinet design; total floor drain system; easy-care filter system; safety suction; foot; neck and shoulder jets; ultimate back massage; light with color...

Spas. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Moonlight Spas Features: commercial round spa can be offered as a residential inground; 38 inches deep with wide steps for easy access; each spa features woven fiberglass applied in addition to regular fiberglass for superior strength, per...

Hot tubs, spas. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Nordic Hot Tubs Features: company offers the Nordic Crown II hot tub; natural round shape; eight color options; unobstructed seating for up to five adults Offerings: lifetime warranty on the shell; truckload landed pricing Contact:,...

Endeavour model hot tub. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Pacific Hot Tubs Features: eight person hot tub features a handrail step and foot well, adjustable water level control, equal sound stereo corner, reverse pulsating neck jets, therapy seat sequencer (ULXT), swivel seat/lounger, six...

Paradise spa vac. (Portable Spas).
April 11, 2003... Paradise Industries Features: self-contained spa vac requires no pumping, batteries or water hookups; aluminum telescopic pole extends 7 feet-plus; picks up rocks, pennies, marbles, sand and more; easy to use; new, improved model, per...