Pool & Spa News articles from January 2003

Pool & Spa News archives from January 2003

Conseco files for Chapter 11 protection.
January 10, 2003... In the wake of mounting financial woes, Conseco Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 protection. Measured by assets, Conseco's bankruptcy would be the third largest in corporate history, trailing only WorldCom and Enron. But that figure is misleading...

California resurrects barrier law.
January 10, 2003... A bill requiring double pool barriers has been introduced in the California State Assembly again. Assembly Bill 24 comes from Assemblywoman Gloria Negrete-McLeod, the author of a very similar bill that made the rounds last year, only to be...

Getting a good read. (Reflections).
January 10, 2003... Our copy editor, Linda Green, and I have a long-standing joke. When we disagree on a point of style in the magazine, for example the way a caption should be written, Linda will shake her head and say, "We can publish this the way you want, but...

Industry ripe for roll-up in 2003. (Making News).
January 10, 2003... After a crush of 13 consolidations in 2001, large mergers slowed to just five in 2002. But steady growth in the pool and spa industry and a renewed interest in the backyard living market may fuel another consolidation boom in 2003--including a...

And the winner is ...
January 10, 2003... Rose Olexovitch of Fairfield, Conn., was the winner of Pool People USA's Forever Pool Cool Contest and will receive $5,000 toward the purchase of a pool. "She was thrilled," said John Romano, chairman/CEO of All American Custom Pools & Spas, in...

Industry highlighted.
January 10, 2003... Cal Spas, a manufacturer of home-resort products including hot tubs, was featured on a Nov. 26 edition of Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends" morning show. Hot tubs were promoted to more than 81 million people nationwide as the three co-hosts of...

Houston new home for NSPI Region 3 show. (Making News).
January 10, 2003... After five years in the same location, the Conference and Exhibition hosted annually by National Spa & Pool Institute-Region 3 is moving from its former home in Dallas to Houston. "We didn't want the show to be so close... to the...

Housing demand still strong. (Making News).
January 10, 2003... Encouraged by strong buyer demand, low interest rates, improving consumer sentiment and healthy house-price performance, builders ramped up the pace at which they started new homes to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.7 million units in November,...

Aloha, Matey.
January 10, 2003... Pool Water Products, a distributor of pool and spa products based in Irvine, Calif., rewarded its All Clear Dealers with a seven-day cruise of the Hawaiian islands Nov. 17-24, 2002. More than 40 couples took advantage of the rewards program....

King Technology gives top awards.
January 10, 2003... King Technology, manufacturer of mineral-care systems for pools and spas based in Hopkins, Minn., held its annual awards reception in Dallas Oct. 28. The President's Club Award went to Mullarkey & Associates, Blake Sales & Associates,...

Canadian Expo makes a comeback. (Making News).
January 10, 2003... Organizers of the Canadian Pool & Spa Conference and Expo said their show not only rebounded from the post-9/11 numbers in 2001, but set a new record as well. The latest show, held Dec. 1-3, 2002, at the Toronto Congress Centre, recorded...

Leading indicators index rebounds. (Making News).
January 10, 2003... The U.S. Leading Economic Indicators Index increased by 0.7 percent to stand at 112.3 in November, the largest gain since December of last year. With this increase, the index has now recovered its losses since May 2002, and is nearly 3.6...

BioLab relocates.
January 10, 2003... The headquarters of BioLab Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of water-treatment products in Decatur, Ga., soon will move to larger facilities (shown) in Lawrenceville, Ga. BioLab has been in its current location for 47 years. "Leaving...

Business allies.
January 10, 2003... Fiberstars, a supplier of fiberoptic lighting based in Fremont, Calif., and Magic Plastics, a supplier of valve and fittings for portable spas based in Valencia, Calif., have announced a marketing alliance. Fiberstars' newly developed...

Wet winter ends Northeast water woes. (Making News).
January 10, 2003... The on-again/off-again drought that kept Northeasterners holding their breaths about next year's water supplies has been largely alleviated, leading even the staunchest conservationist states to lift water restrictions. Heavy rains and...

Better economy, but not spectacular growth.
January 10, 2003... Small-business optimism showed more strength in November, with the index increasing by 1.5 points to 101.9. Fueling the increase were employment gains, increased inventory investment and steady capital spending plans. "Although business isn't...

Arch Chemicals forms market alliance.
January 10, 2003... Norwalk, Conn.-based Arch Chemicals Inc. (NYSE: ARJ) formed a marketing alliance with Daicel Chemical Industries Inc. in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, in which it will sell Daicel's polycaprolactone and polycarbonate polyols in North and South...

ITT acquires PCI Membranes.
January 10, 2003... ITT Industries Inc. in White Plains, N.Y. (NYSE: ITT), which supplies advanced technology products and services in fluid and water management and other specialty areas, has acquired the assets of PCI Membranes from Thames Water. The PCI...

Investors wary of war, economy. (Making News).
January 10, 2003... Stocks saw modest gains this period as investors digested a host of economic data and corporate news. But the gains were tempered somewhat by news about the stock-research settlement between Wall Street firms and regulators, as well as...

Sunsolar Energy Technologies names U.S. reps.
January 10, 2003... Ken Tait, president of Sunsolar Energy Technologies Inc., announced the hiring of five manufacturer's representative firms across the United States. The manufacturer of solar covers in St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada, has signed the following: Aqua...

Hill joins Jandy.
January 10, 2003... Jim Hill has been hired as territory sales manager by Jandy, a subsidiary of Water Pik Technologies Inc. Hill will cover northern Texas, northern Louisiana and Oklahoma with sales manager Terry Williams. "We are pleased that Jim has joined our...

Life in Shangri-La. (People).
January 10, 2003... Clad in his standard all-white shorts and Polo shirt, Svend Petersen stands near the pool entrance at the Beverly Hills Hotel and welcomes two guests as if they were Hollywood's hottest stars. "Sun or shade?" the 71-year-old Petersen asks...

Incensed reader. (Letters).
January 10, 2003... In reading three letters to the editor in the Dec. 13 issue of Pool & Spa News, I was incensed [regarding] the lead letter, "Tackling Industry Myths," whose author states that he has "little or no interest in NSPI." He also doesn't "think it...

Word to the wise. (Letters).
January 10, 2003... I have read the letter in the Dec. 13 issue titled "Tackling Industry Myths." Mr. Taylor does a fairly good job explaining his beliefs and how businesses in the industry should be run. Then he goes astray with his thoughts that NSPI and its...

Vanishing-edge and cavitation tips. (Letters).
January 10, 2003... This letter is in reference to your article "Containment" in the Nov. 29 issue (AquaScapes, page 65). The simplified method of calculating the size of a catch basin (or surge tank) capacity is to allow room for one gallon of water for each...

Product prescriptions for 2003: new products, a stronger move toward user-friendliness and education are cures for industry's ills. (Commentary).
January 10, 2003... We in the inground pool business are at a crossroads. With the tragic events of Sept. 11 still fresh in our memory, we look out across a new, rugged landscape of political and economic uncertainty. As business leaders and owners, how do we...

Putting it to the test: the FAS-DPD chlorine offers service technicians a simple, new way to monitor water quality. (Chemistry Corner).
January 10, 2003... Since the 1970s, many professionals monitoring water quality in pools and spas have used one of two methods to test for chlorine levels: OT (orthotolidine), which produces a yellow color in the sample, or DPD (N, N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine),...

Unrisky business: four easy ways for retailers to reduce their risk of liability. (Legal Eagle).
January 10, 2003... Retailers represent a highly visible side of the pool and spa industry. No wonder they are so often the first ones plaintiffs' attorneys think of suing when something goes wrong. That means in virtually every state, retailers face potential...

Backyard gold mine: why you should start selling backyard accessories today.
January 10, 2003... The peak sales season was less than a month away, but: Richard Jones was ready. His store was known for carrying hot tubs, propane and fireplaces, and Jones had carefully placed his orders, received his inventory and set up displays. But...

Room to grow: think you don't have room to display outdoor furniture? Think again.
January 10, 2003... If you're like a lot of pool and spa retailers, you figure you could profit from the growing casual furniture business. But you just don't have enough room to do it. On the face of it, that certainly seems to be the case. After all, an...

The big idea: a leading hot tub dealer is betting that entering the backyard market will sell more spas.
January 10, 2003... If you want to survive in Big Sky country, you have to have big ideas. At least, that's the way childhood friends, Tom Walker and Scott Smith, felt growing up in the vast expanse of Montana. So when they decided to start their own hot...

Casino guide: when the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show's exhibit hall closes for the day, it's time to check out the gaming scene.
January 10, 2003... You've been good, studying in the seminars and prowling the show floor for hours--or maybe patiently standing at your booth, explaining the merits of your product for the millionth time. Now it's time to go out, win some money or just relax at...

A roll of the dice: this popular game is considered one of the better ways to win money at a casino.
January 10, 2003... Many people are too intimidated to play craps. While it's true that the game's extensive rules and bets can be daunting, craps is thought of as one of the better ways to win money at a casino. The game offers players some of the best...

Attractions.
January 10, 2003... ABSECON LIGHTHOUSE: Built in 1857, this 167-foot-tall lighthouse is said to be the oldest man-made attraction along the New Jersey seashore. Located at Rhode Island and Pacific avenues. ATLANTIC CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM & ART CENTER: Besides...

Dining guide: from family-run restaurants to casino-hotel eateries, Atlantic City has the ambiance and cuisine to suit just about any taste.
January 10, 2003... Each year, Pool & Spa News helps you reach out and taste the best food that Atlantic City has to offer. Some of the restaurants here are back by popular demand; others are new to the list, to help expand your dining horizons. All have received...

Night life: A.C. night life ranges from luxurious lounges to crowded clubs. Whatever you're in the mood for, it's here.
January 10, 2003... You may think you're worn out at the end of the day from all your trade, show activities, but the Boardwalk's billion or so light bulbs can bring you back to life in a moment. Boasting a dozen famous casinos, many floor shows, headline...

Showtime: these tips for trade-show travelers will make your trips more productive--and pleasant.
January 10, 2003... If you've been to a trade show, you've seen it. Joel Caesar calls it the "trade show stare." It's that blank expression on the face, of an otherwise smart, proficient attendee that means they are about to do or say a pretty silly thing. ...

Seminars: here's a look at the educational offerings at the Atlantic City show.
January 10, 2003... Whether it's honing your drawing skills or refamiliarizing yourself with water balance, the educational series at the 2003 show offers something for everyone. Technical seminars are free to all registered attendees. Prices for the business...

3M Cotorquartz aggregate. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By 3M Co. Features: granules colored with a ceramic coating; product is designed to be used as an added ingredient in pool plaster to create colorful, durable exposed aggregate finishes; 14 colors; two sizes; available in 50-pound bags...

Hydrazzo. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Aquavations Corp. Features: company offers polished plaster systems for resurfacing pools Offerings: approved applicator programs; territories; display boards; four-color brochures; training Contact: Aquavations Corp., Coral...

Hydro Torque. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Cain Ventures Features: HT Mini-Max is a versatile tool that grinds, sands, polishes, drills and cuts a variety of hard surfaces; product effectiveness is enhanced through use of exclusive line of diamond abrasives and the Hurry-Cain...

Society of pool building and retailing professionals. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Aquatech Corp. Features: buying group provides national marketing, branded and private-label equipment, information and exchange Offerings: non competitive territories nationwide; an elite membership society Contact: Aquatech...

Floor tiles and pavers. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Australian Natural Tile Features: company manufactures quality 12.5-inch-square terracotta floor tiles and pavers; wide range of colors, accessories available Contact: Australian Natural Tile; Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (011)...

CP7 aluminum coping for fiberoptic lighting. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Cinderella Features: all-aluminum construction; no PVC inserts; holds numerous brands of perimeter fiberoptic cable Offerings: UPS shipping; coping quotes per job Contact: Cinderella Inc., Saginaw, Mich. (989) 755-7741 ...

AquaGuard 5000. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Aquatic Technologies Features: protective coating for pools, spas, steel, cement or fiberglass; available in various colors and styles Offerings: territories available Contact: Aquatic Technologies, Jensen Beach, Fla. (888) 696-4389...

Plaster White N' Brite. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Bio-Dex Laboratories Features: eliminates fumes from acid and thickens acid, per maker; product is designed to provide better cleaning in half the time Offerings: free Clearex #500 Water Clarifier: 2 ounces treat 14,000 gallons ...

Exposed aggregate and pebble plaster systems. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By C.L. Industries Features: company offers SunStone, SunStone Select, SunStone Pearl, KrystalKrete, Crystal Colors, CrystalStones, Permakote, PermaSpray and Pooltite aggregate finishes; white plaster, scratch coats and acrylic deck...

Tajah line of surfacing materials. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Daltile Features: product offers a natural slate look at an affordable ceramic tile price; extended lines now include decorative listellos; borders also have been added to the Scabos and Fashion Accent lines Contact: Daltile, Dallas...

Pool ceramics. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Deutsche Steinzeug America (DSA) Features: company offers a wide range of ceramic tiles, trim pieces and accessories for all kinds of bathing landscapes Offerings: special designs for individual projects available Contact:...

Easy bottom pool pads. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Easy Bottom/CPR Ltd. Features: company offers pool pads that are available in 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch thicknesses; Pool Cove and Wall Foam also available Contact: Easy Bottom/CPR Ltd., Bedford Park, Ill. (866) 392-6886 Circle 196...

Suction niches, main drains & anti-vortex plates. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Eureka Mfg. Features: company offers complete, made-to-order suction niches and main drains to facilitate smooth installation and help meet recirculation requirements of pools and specialty waterfeatures; products designed to ensure...

AQ series coping. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Federal Stone Industries Features: available in various sizes, radii, colors and textures; designed to meet virtually any remodeling or renovation need; radius chart to aid the installer in figuring curves Contact: Federal Stone...

E-Prime-400 primary bonding agent. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Floorproducts Corp. Features: formulated to flex and maintain bond integrity in all areas of pool or spa; inexpensive; provides great coverage, per maker; can be used as an epoxy, vinylester and phenolic primer on concrete and metal ...

Custom fabricated pool grates. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Grate Ideas Features: no on-site assembly necessary, per manufacturer; made-to-measure corners; ultrasonically wedged Contact: Grate Ideas, Burlington, Vt. (800) 292-6044 Circle 200 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION...

Dura White. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By J.M. Huber/U.S. Marble Co. Features: bright white marble pool aggregate, designed for durability, Contact: JM Huber/U.S. Marble Co., LLC, Cartersville, Ga. (770) 607-3345 Circle 203 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION...

Pool Mix. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Imerys Features: product is a high white marble ground to a specific aggregate for inground pools; when formulated with white cement, the product provides trouble-free, smooth white finish for years Contact: Imerys, Roswell, Ga....

Flex polymer wall system. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Kafko Features: available in industry-standard height of 42 inches, which allows 3-foot water depth in shallow end of pool; also available in 48-inch-high panels for water depth of 6 inches more; ideal for flat-bottom pool design, per...

Mosaics--By Inlays. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Inlays Features: one-piece; skid-resistant; frost-resistant; easy to install, according to manufacturer Offerings: literature; sample program; toll-free phone and fax; Web site Contact: Inlays Inc., Green Bay, Wis. (800)...

White Cement. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Lehigh Cement Co. Features: company offers white portland cement for pool plaster; ASTM-certified Contact: Lehigh Cement Co., White Cement Division, Allentown, Pa. (610) 366-4600 Circle 205 on Postage-Free Card ...

Easy flow nozzle. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Macalite Equipment Features: according to manufacturer, larger nozzle provides excellent results for application of pool plastering products, including pebble; nozzle reduces back pressure on pump, allowing for a more even flow of...

Fix-a-leak start-up conditioner. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Marlig Industries Features: company offers a concentrated liquid leak sealer for plumbing and structural leaks in pools and spas; easy-to-follow instructions Offerings: technical support Contact: Marlig Industries...

Mikasa MT-65H rammer. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Multiquip Features: product features a four-cycle, Honda-powered unit; no premixing of fuel required; provides 2,900 pounds of impact force; stronger crankcase; weighs 148 pounds, per maker Contact: Multiquip, Carson, Calif. (800)...

NataDek floor and deck surfacing. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Natare Corp. Features: durable; slip-resistant PVC surface designed for use in wet environments, such as pool decks and locker rooms; easy maintenance; watertight; made to resist staining, abrasion, chemicals, mildew, rot, mold and UV...

Pool surfacing and deck materials. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By National Pool Tile Group Features: company offers pool and spa tile, deck tile, brick coping, Durango coping and pavers and SeaStone materials Contact: National Pool Tile Group, Norcross, Ga. (888) 411-8453 Circle 211 on...

Newlander armor products. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Oceaneering & Research Development Features: designed for building and resurfacing pools; applications for this inground fiberglass building system include pools, tanks and more Contact: Oceaneering Research & Development, Spokane,...

Brick products and tile. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Pacific Clay Brick Products Features: company offers pavers, face brick, minibrick and pool coping products Contact: Pacific Clay Brick Products, Lake Elsinore, Calif. (909) 674-2131 Circle 213 on Postage-Free Card ...

Acrylic-polymer cementitious surfacing. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Perma-Crete Features: three-part, acrylic-polymer cementitious surfacing system; available in 150 colors; sealed, nonporous surface; designed to be chemical- and weather-resistant Offerings: on-site and in-house training; brochures;...

Coping paint, renovation tools. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Plastimayd Corp. Features: company offers a full line of hard-to-find tools for complete pool liner renovation; aluminum and PVC coping, drop-in steel steps, coping paint for coping touch-up renovations jobs also offered Offerings:...

Ultra Poly One Coat. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Poly Solutions Features: long-lasting epoxy coating for concrete pools and other surfaces can be completely applied in one coat, per manufacturer Offerings: marketing and advertising support Contact: Poly Solutions, Gibsonia,...

904 FCS Flexible Crack Repair. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Pressure Patch Features: company offers dual cartridge flexible underwater crack repair system; special introductory kit with applicator gun available Contact: Pressure Patch Inc., St. Louis (800) 347-8878 Circle 217 on...

Lock-down bleacher system stairs. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Quaker Plastic Corp. Features: provides stair support and leveling; pre-assembled at factory; designed for easy installation by simply snapping down and locking in place; also available in granite look Contact: Quaker Plastic Corp.,...

Carrousel pump 15010TBM-3-GAM. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Quikspray Features: designed for spraying heavy-bodied commercial coating; peristaltic pump requires little maintenance and is suitable for pumping many aggregated and fibered products, per maker Contact: Quikspray inc., Port...

Gunite dry shotcrete machine. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Reed Shotcrete Equipment Features: product provides an extremely even flow of concrete for pool shotcrete construction, according to manufacturer Contact: Reed Shotcrete Equipment, Chino, Calif (888) 779-7333 Circle 220 on...

Pool enamels and pool seal paints. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Sau-Sea Swimming Pool Products Features: enamels and paints designed to provide the maximum resistance to water, sun and chemicals Offerings: display rack; lab and field service Contact: Sau-Sea Swimming Pool Products,...

Hydraulic ball valve 160 line pump.
January 10, 2003... By Schwing America Features: pumps 45 cubic yards per hour, according to manufacturer; employs reliability of hydraulically operated concrete pumps with simplicity of dualball-valve sequencing system; spring-controlled accumulator;...

Colored quartz aggregate. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By SGM Features: colored aggregate is designed for use in pools, spas and fountains; made of natural quartz; available in blue, teat and black quartz; unaffected by pool chemicals; resists permanent staining; won't rust or fade, per...

Vinyl magic pool coating. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Southern Vinyl Waterproofing Features: 100-percent liquid PVC; designed to be color-fast, resist rust and algae; low maintenance Contact: Southern Vinyl Waterproofing Inc., Bristol, Tenn. (423) 968-2556 Circle 224 on...

Spray force excalibur plaster pump S-1 mobile. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Spray Force Mfg. Features: S-7 Mobile features a pump and mixer mounted to a tandem axle trailer; heavy-duty pump handles pebble finishes as well as pool plaster and plaster for simulated rock formations, per maker Contact: Spray...

Flo-tech joint sealant. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Stegmeier Features: polyurethane sealant, self-leveling; does not require mixing, per maker; reusable container; three colors; quart-size tube or 20-ounce sausage pack Offerings: product literature; toll-flee technical support;...

Depth markers and safety tiles. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Tile Specialties Features: complete line of depth marker and safety-related tiles for both waterline and deck installation; screen-printed and kiln-fired at high temperatures to ensure permanence; designed to resist fading, UV rays,...

White Cement by TXI/Riverside Cement. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By TXI/Riverside Cement Features: products offered include Riverside white cement, pool sands and adobe cement Contact: TXI/Riverside Cement, Ontario, Calif. (909) 635-1800 Circle 228 on Postage-Free Card

Uni-weld solvent cements. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By United Ekhem Industries Features: company offers Uni-Weld "Pool-Tite" PVC cement; cleaners, primers and accessories also available Contact: United Elchem Industries Inc., Dallas (972) 241-6601 Circle 229 on Postage-Free Card ...

Finest finish marble blend. (Construction Products).
January 10, 2003... By Universal White Cement Co. Features: state-of-the-art plaster premix combines high-performance admixtures, cement and quality marble sand; provides tremendous psi strength and appearance that is void of dirty specks, per maker ...

Aquabot turbo. (Pool Cleaners).
January 10, 2003... By Aqua Products Features: reset safety-start swith; super brushes, extension gripping drive tracks, E-Z swivel cable detangler; 24V operation; scrubs 4,200 sq. ft. & vacuums 6,500 gal. water per hour, according to maker; reuseable...