Pool & Spa News articles from August 2003

Pool & Spa News archives from August 2003

Mortgage giant's woes could impact industry.
August 8, 2003... Freddie Mac, the nation's No. 2 mortgage financier, has been making some risky investments with homeowner's money--and it could end up costing the pool and spa industry. The financing giant is one of the latest corporations to declare it...

Weather warms Northeast sales.
August 8, 2003... After an unusually cold, wet spring, the Northeast pool and spa industry was worried that this year's swim season was a lost cause. But, just in time for the 4th of July, the sun came out and business has begun to rebound for many. "How...

Fear factor. (Reflections).
August 8, 2003... In the last few months, we've written two disturbing news stories about a fearful place: Maricopa County, Ariz. In both stories, government officials have been considering drastic measures to address what some have called a drowning crisis. One...

Getting out of deep water. (Making News).
August 8, 2003... Teenagers visiting public pools are increasingly losing at least one opportunity to show off. The traditional springboard and diving well that tempted many to tricks and flips is going by the wayside in cities around the country. It's...

Pool & Spa News has new home.
August 8, 2003... The offices of Pool & Spa News and its sister publication, Aquatics International, have moved to a new Los Angeles location. The decision to move to the new facility was fueled in part by a desire for more space to accommodate future...

Saratoga Spas expands west.
August 8, 2003... Saratoga Spas of Latham, N.Y., is expanding its reach westward. In a joint venture with one of its dealers, High Desert Spas, the manufacturer's hydrotherapy spas will be distributed out of High Desert's 8,000-square-foot facility in Reno, Nev....

Arizona pool code to fight drownings. (Making News).
August 8, 2003... A region of the country plagued with a high number of drownings is taking legislative steps to reduce the tragedies. Arizona's Maricopa County is in the process of amending its public swimming pool codes and may require existing...

Dimension One sponsors sales training program.
August 8, 2003... Dimension One Spas, a Vista, Calif.-based manufacturer, has designed a new program focusing on in-depth training for high-performance sales associates. Program goals include instilling detailed product knowledge and customer understanding...

Former Aqua editor pens books.
August 8, 2003... Alan E. Sanderfoot, former editor and associate publisher of Aqua magazine, has written two books. The first is titled What Color is Your Swimming Pool? A Homeowner's Guide to Trouble-Free Pool Maintenance (Storey Books, May 2003). Topics...

Conference embraces changing times. (Making News).
August 8, 2003... The challenges of a changing pool and spa industry will take center stage at NSPI's 15th Annual Industry Leadership Conference Aug. 13-15 in Washington, D.C. Using the theme "Planning Your Future in a Climate of Change," the conference is...

Leading indicators index shoots upward. (Making News).
August 8, 2003... The Leading Economic Indicators Index rose in June for the third consecutive month to stand at 111.8. The increase suggests that the index's flat trend over the past year may have ended. But additional months of growth are needed to determine...

Pool yields no Hoffa clues.
August 8, 2003... Authorities dug under an above-ground pool last month at a home in Hampton Township, Mich., searching for clues to the disappearance of former Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa, but came up empty. When nothing was found after an eight-hour search, the...

AquaChek supports troops in Baghdad.
August 8, 2003... U.S. troops in Iraq are getting the royal treatment thanks to Maj. James Stearns (shown) and the folks at AquaChek Pool & Spa Test Strips in Elkhart, Ind. Palace pools in Iraq are being repaired and filled in an effort to help boost the morale...

Former spa dealer going to prison. (Making News).
August 8, 2003... Former New Jersey spa dealer Larry Barasch was sentenced to five years in prison for failure to pay $187,700 in state sales taxes that he had collected for portable spas that were never delivered. Barasch, the 46-year-old former owner of...

Business optimism hits high mark. (Making News).
August 8, 2003... NFIB's Small Business Optimism Index jumped 1.6 points in June to 101.7, the highest reading this year. Small-business owners expressed strong optimism last month that the economy would improve, that their own sales would improve, and that now...

Textron sells OmniQuip.
August 8, 2003... As part of its effort to divest noncore assets, Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) in Providence, R.I., has agreed to sell its OmniQuip business unit to JLG Industries Inc. (NYSE: JLG) in McConnellsburg, Pa., for $100 million. The Port Washington,...

Arch Chemicals completes sale to Peak Sulfur.
August 8, 2003... Arch Chemicals Inc. (NYSE: ARJ) in Norwalk, Conn., recently completed the sale of all the net assets of its sulfuric acid business to Peak Sulfur Inc. in Lenexa, Kan. Relevant terms of the transaction will be disclosed at a later date. The...

NASDAQ slips into negative territory. (Making News).
August 8, 2003... Lured by lower prices, buyers have returned to Wall Street, sending stocks mostly higher. But an economic report showing that consumer sentiment has not improved as much as expected caused investors to pull back a bit, nudging the NASDAQ...

Caretaker Systems hosts design contest.
August 8, 2003... Caretaker Systems Inc., a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based manufacturer of pool and spa equipment, has introduced a design awards program, available to all of its dealers worldwide. The program, titled "CSI's Gold Star of Excellence Design Awards...

Aquatic group honors WNBA coach Cooper.
August 8, 2003... At the 8th Annual Salute to Champions luncheon this summer, the Aquatic Foundation of Metropolitan Los Angeles (AFMLA) honored Michael Cooper, head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks, two-time champs of the Women's National Basketball Association....

Thieves swipe four spas in Omaha. (Making News).
August 8, 2003... The size and weight of hot tubs would seem to make them impervious to theft, but determined thieves in Omaha, Neb., found a way to persevere. The thieves targeted two spa and pool stores here in June during the early morning hours, robbing...

Housing continues to fuel the economy. (Making News).
August 8, 2003... Builders broke ground on new housing units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.8 million units in June, up 3.7 percent from the previous month, reported the U.S. Commerce Department. "Housing continues to do the heavy lifting in an...

Hurst named OxyChem president.
August 8, 2003... OxyChem, a Dallas-based chemical manufacturer, announced its new president, John L Hurst III. Most recently, he was executive vice president of the company's Chloro-Vinyls Group. Hurst is a 25-year company veteran.

Smelter joins Sta-Rite.
August 8, 2003... Dan Smelter has been hired by Sta-Rite Industries of Delavan, Wis., as product manager for the manufacturer's Pool and Spa Division. A graduate of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Ill., he was previously product manager at Harting...

Pentair appoints sales manager.
August 8, 2003... Jeff Jones has been appointed territory sales manager for Sanford, NC-based Pentair Pool Products. Jones will manage the Northern Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas sates territories. He joined Pentair with the acquisition of automatic pool cleaner...

T. Christy promotes Groves.
August 8, 2003... Scott Groves has been promoted to national sales manager at T. Christy Enterprises, an Anaheim, Calif.-based manufacturer of products for the waterworks, plumbing, light industrial, retail and irrigation markets. Groves is a seven-year company...

The ad guru: Paul Field's fascination with the way Americans spend their free time has turned him into one of the country's leading marketing consultants. (People).
August 8, 2003... "I am fascinated by the American culture and how it operates," Paul Field said. "Hedonism, relaxation, all that. And that's endlessly useful in advertising." Field is certainly living proof of that. He's parlayed those interests into a...

Under control: to get accurate readings, automatic controllers must be installed to meet two requirements. Here's how it's done. (Equipment Clinic).
August 8, 2003... Automatic chemical controls help service technicians maintain water balances between visits. They are so effective that they have become a mainstay in the commercial pool arena, Where manually maintaining good water balance can be difficult....

Above board: facts you need to know about diving injuries, standards and liability. (Legal Eagle).
August 8, 2003... With swim season in full swing again, injuries are unfortunately bound to follow. And when it comes to those, few strike fear into the hearts of the pool industry faster than news of another serious diving board injury. While statistically...

Uncovering the potential: growing consumer demand is priming the covers marketplace for growth. But is the industry ready to meet the demand?
August 8, 2003... There's amazing potential for sales in swimming pool covers. Indeed, actual sales are up, anywhere from 10 to 15 percent on everything from automatic covers to solar covers. Spa covers sales appear even better--up about 30 percent, according to...

Cover ups: crafty ideas for making pools with automatic covers look and function even better.
August 8, 2003... Some of my wealthiest clients love the benefits that automatic covers offer--all the safety, energy and chemical savings, along with the extra convenience. But people who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on an aquascape don't accept...

Automatic sales: techs, too busy to bother with automatic covers? You may be throwing away p automatic sales.
August 8, 2003... When service technicians turn down automatic-cover installation and servicing work, John St. Clair just shakes his head in disbelief. "They're leaving tons of money on the table," says St. Clair, president of All Seasons Automatic Pool...

Automatic covers repair checklist: here's a quick list of things to check when repairing automatic covers.
August 8, 2003... As service technicians encounter more and more automatic pool covers, on the route these days, it's imperative that their repairs skills be up to speed. Fortunately, it's relatively easy to keep these products looking beautiful. Here are some...

Put a lid on it: quelling doubts about what does and doesn't qualify as a safety cover.
August 8, 2003... By the time a Massachusetts family found their missing pet, it was too late. Their beloved German shepherd had drowned and been concealed by a non-safety cover for several months. "They didn't know it was there," says Chris Callanan, owner...

Coming clean: add on maintenance product sales for pool and spa covers.
August 8, 2003... For Daniel Harrison, the secret to selling spa-cover maintenance products lies in the timing of the pitch. "We don't mention anything about spa-cover maintenance during the sale," says Harrison, president of Long Island Hot Tubs, a...

Cover resources: here's look at offerings from cover manufacturers and how to reach them.
August 8, 2003... Cover Resources Here's a look at offerings from cover manufacturers and how to reach them. Company Contact Name Number Web Site All-Safe Pool Safety Barriers, Orange, Calif....

Specialty chemicals. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Advantis Technologies Features: offerings include Total Control by Ultima, SuperBlue by Robarb, Leisure Time spa chemicals, enzyme formulas, nonchlorine shock Oxy-brite by GLB, and professional strength water-care products by Applied...

E-Z spa. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... API Pure Water for Life Features: product is designed to provide balanced, once-a-week spa-water care; simple to use, dependable, per maker Offerings: brochures, laminated window posters, custom mailers; special introductory offfers...

Brilliance spa care line. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Avecia Features: chlorine-free; less odor, irritation to eyes and skin; product won't upset the balance of spa water's chemistry, per maker;, Brilliance Sanitizer, Metal and Scale Control and Shock made to provide clean water in three...

Albrom disinfectant. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Albemarle Corp. Features: Albrom 1000 disinfectant is made to be an effective, single product disinfectant/oxidizer; passes the AOAC 30-second pool disinfectant test at half the dosage of brominating tablets, per manufacturer; designed to...

All-clear specialty chemicals. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Aqua Tri Features: product line includes oxidizer (nonchlorine shock), stain and scale remover, oil and scum remover, mustard knockout, clarifier, yellow eliminator, tile scale remover and shock booster; products to control alkalinity,...

Commercial chemical products. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... BioLab Commercial Water Division Features: company offers commercial chemical products and will feature its comprehensive program, which includes chemicals, feeders and controllers Offerings: lease program; technical expertise and...

Professional strength algaecides. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Applied Biochemists Features: professional strength algaecides for both routine use and winter application; specialized formulas for different algae types available; compatible with company's other products, including surface cleaners,...

AquaMagic fume-free acid treatment. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Aqua Magic Features: muriatic acid replacement provides benefits of muriatic acid without toxic fumes; 100 percent biodegradable product is designed to not burn skin; ideal as an acid wash and filter cleaner; product is less corrosive,...

AquaClear rapid tabs. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... BioLab Custom Products Features: fast-dissolving 2-ounce tablets with special pH buffer; convenient size; use in skimmers and as an alternative to standard trichlor tablets, according to manufacturer; EPA approval pending Offerings:...

Guardex stain remover. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... BioLab Distributor Products Features: quickly removes existing stains from pool surfaces, per maker; granular formula works on both metallic and organic stains also; company offers a complete line of sanitizers, oxidizers, balancers,...

SUN tru-blue. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... BioLab-SUN Pool and Spa Products Features: highly concentrated products require only 1 ounce per 5,000 gallons of pool water; clear bottle; ideal for regular maintenance program and for clearing cloudy water Offerings: SUN Cheers...

SoftSwim assist. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... BioGuard Features: product's patented technology can be used as a curative and maintenance treatment for mold and pink slime that may develop in the circulation system of outdoor pools; convenient packaging, easy application, per maker ...

Crystal Clean. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... CAP Northamerica Ltd. Features: company offers Crystal Clean Glass Sand for filtration; product is designed to reduce backwashing time and improve water clarity Offerings: point-of-sale promotion Write 138 on Postage-Free Card ...

Capo specialty chemicals. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... CAPO Industries Ltd. Features: company offers a full line of poly-algicides, nonchlorine shock and clarifiers Write 139 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Yellow out. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Coral Seas Features: company offers a scrub-free pool cleaner that works with chlorine to safely clean pool per maker; available in 8-ounce and 2-, 4-,8- and 20-pound sizes Offerings: performance guarantee; free point-of-purchase...

Eclipse3. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Crystal Clear Pool and Spa Features: designed to control and eliminate algae, clarify water, stabilize pH, reduce sanitizer use; company offers a complete line of specialty chemicals, as well as private label options Offerings: rebate...

DuPont oxone potassium monopersulfate. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Dupont Features: Oxone is designed to oxidize and eliminate nonmicrobial contaminants and prevent the poor-quality, cloudy water they produce; promotes easier maintenance and crystal-clear water when used in conjunction with a sanitizer...

Algae shield. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Earth Science Labs Feature: product is designed to prevent algae in chlorine pools; company offers 100 percent algae-free guarantee Offerings: low minimums; 100 percent markup; POP materials Write 143 on Postage-Free Card

Pool closing system. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... GLB Pool & Spa Features: three-part system with Oxy-Brite shock, Algimycin winter algae preventative, and the Sequa-Sol sequestering agent; comes in a display-friendly box with easy-carry handle; available in two sizes: one size treats...

Specialty chemicals. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Hot Spring Spa Features: company offers its FreshWater water-care line; designed for compatibility of use, line includes concentrated chlorinating granules, calcium hardness increaser, test strips, a defoamer, filter cleaners, stain and...

Mosquito-free water. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... IPS Carefree Enzymes Features: product is designed to reduce water tension so mosquitoes cannot land or breed Offerings: freight PPD pallet order; minimum one case Write 146 on Postal-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Frog Bam. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... King Technology Futures: mineral algae preventative is tailor-made to be dispensed through the company's Pool Frog system and provide users with 90 days of algae protection; easy to use, simply place Frog Bam in reservoir before inserting...

Reserve & Renew. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Leisure Tune Features: company offers easy-to-use Reserve and Renew chlorine-free sanitizing system for spas; kits provide a two-month supply of chemicals and come in reusable pails; surface cleaners, fragrance and other products also...

Starver phosphate remover. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Lo-Chlor Chemicals Features: this new, improved formula is designed to remove twice as much phosphate as the original; will not cloud water, and the filter pressure increase is minimal, if any, per maker; kits will complete 100 tests; easy...

Biguanide monthly kit. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Mareva Features: company offers an easy-to-use biguanide-based sanitizer kit; all chemicals are sold in a pre-packaged carton, including sanitizer, shock/clarifier and algaecides; kits are available for 10,000- or 15,000-gallon pools ...

Alg-X. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... N. Jonas & Co. Features: company offers quality line of pool-water sanitizers; Alg-X is nonstaining; made to be an effective copper algaecide; fights all types of algae, per maker; Pink-X pink algae fighter, Scum-X scum remover, Yellow-X...

Metal-free and PHOSFloc products. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Natural Chemistry Features: metal-free chelating and sequestering agent is designed to deactivate iron, copper, other metals that impact water clarity; product is not affected by extremes of pH and temperature; PHOSfloc bulk phosphate...

Algaedyn, silver algaecide. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Pool Products Packaging Features: company otters algaecide designed to effectively kill mustard, pink and black algae Offerings: national marketing campaign Write 153 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

PowerBase AT chlorination unit. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... PPG Industries Features: unit incorporates the company's patented Accu-Tab chlorinator and 3-inch hypochlorite tablets with 65 percent available chlorine to provide clean, sanitized water; compact, easy conversion and installation,...

Specialty chemicals. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Robarb Features: line includes Super Blue Crystal Clear Clarifier, sanitizers, algae-control formulas, balancers and maintenance products; Spa Specialties line has been updated to include attractive packaging with color-coded categories;...

SoftSoak spa care system. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... SpaGuard Features: nonhalogen-based system is designed to provide silky-soft, nonirritating spa water; water doesn't have a chlorine odor; controls bacteria growth when used as recommended, per maker; available in individual units or as a...

pureblue Primo. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Sterling Seasonal Home Features: product's borate chemistry prepares water and has excellent algicidal and water balance properties, making pool care easier, more economical, per maker Offerings: pureblue Store Support Center offers...

Total control. (Specialty Chemicals).
August 8, 2003... Ultima Features: according to maker, the shock treats and fights algae; combines power of chlorinating compounds and copper; fights and prevents all forms of algae; granular formula requires no pre-mixing; does not combine and neutralize...

Spa and whirlpool bath lights. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Be-Lite Features: three sizes, variety of color lenses; patented E-Z Access lights can be changed from front or rear; plug-and-switch units with UL-recognized components also available Offerings: 48-hour delivery Write 168 on...

Moodlight fiberoptic lighting kits. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Fiber Optic Technologies Features: company offers do-it-yourself fiberoptic kits for inground and above-ground pools, spas, decks and more; made for easy installation; according to maker, the product is attractive, safe, maintenance-free...

Lighting accessory kit. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Hot Spring Spas Features: company offers its Luminescence LED Light Kit; energy-efficient kit provides an array of colors; various brightnesses, timing and sequence patterns are adjustable in six color choices, including blue, aqua, green,...

Rock features, waterfeatures and fountains. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Colorado Hardscapes Features: company offers custom artificial rock features, waterfeatures and artificial or natural rock fountains; turnkey installation Offerings: design center; free consultations Write 169 on Postage-Free Card...

Grand Acanthus leaf fountain. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Florentine Craftsmen Features: approximately 7 inches tall; comes with recirculating pump and plumbing; 37-inch-high statue of boy and frog tops fountain; water spouts from frog's mouth, splashes boy's face and drops into 48-inch Acanthus...

Whitewave waterfall spa. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Imperial Pools Features: product sits flush with deck at pool's edge, with water spilling over and creating a waterfall; made of durable Luran thermoplastic with foam insulation; measures 78 inches in diameter by 33 inches deep; extended...

Flowerfall pool fountain. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Dunn-Rite Products Features: fits directly into pool return; convenient wall-mount design places spray in middle of pool, but keeps controls near the wall and out of way of automatic pool cleaners and covers Offerings: one-year...

Four telescoping fountains. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Fountains for Pools Features: company offers unique designs, according to manufacturer; fountains retract into and out of bottom of pool or spa Write 173 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Stone pillar fountain. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Inter-Fab Features: according to maker, fountain offers subtle Japanese appeal, simple in form, but mesmerizing interplay between rock texture and water; designed for easy installation, pump, plumbing and liner included Offerings:...

Deck jets, rockfalls and sheer descent waterfalls. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Jandy Features: company offers lightweight, durable rockfalls molded from polyurethane to create seamless one-piece artificial rock waterfalls in fieldstone brown, cobble-stone gray and Spanish rose; pre-plumbed for easy installation;...

AfterDark fiberoptic lighting systems. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Polaris Pool Systems Features: perimeter and underwater fiberoptic lighting allows for creation of rainbow of light; single color scheme options also available; nine-color light driver; two-speed color wheel; universal fiber lens; durable...

Modular streams, cascades and waterfalls. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Replications Unlimited Features: pre-made waterfeatures are ready to go; realistic rocklike streams are pre-plumbed for a hose fitting and pump to create running water in minutes; many sizes, shapes; light; durable; can add multiple stream...

GFRC rock panels and boulders. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Rock Bottom Casting Features: for use in residential and commercial waterfeature applications; various sizes, styles Offering: catalogs; installation training Write 180 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Structural waterfall systems. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Rock Formations Features: company offers rock castings and components for building structural waterfalls Offerings: marketing materials; training seminars Write 181 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Roman arch lami-nozzle. (Lighting, Waterfalls & Fountains).
August 8, 2003... Roman Fountains Corp. Features: company offers nozzle designed to create a clear, glasslike rod of water; optional fiberoptic port Offerings: special introductory offer Write 182 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]