Pool & Spa News articles from July 2002

Pool & Spa News archives from July 2002

Tragedy puts focus on entrapment issue.
July 12, 2002... The 7-year old granddaughter of former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III died as the result of a suction-entrapment accident in McLean, Va., last month. Virginia Graham Baker was playing with other children in a friend's spa...

Northeast lifts some water bans.
July 12, 2002... After nearly four months of water restrictions, significant parts of the Northeast pool industry have seen relief. Governments in Connecticut and New Jersey have lifted water restrictions pertaining to pools, so builders in those areas now...

Arizona confronts rash of drownings.
July 12, 2002... Maricopa County, Ariz., which has the highest drowning rate in the United States, already has matched last year's death total of 27. Eleven of the victims were children. "It's frustrating," said Capt. Mark Angle, director of public...

Dual drain debate continues. (letters).
July 12, 2002... I just finished reading your article on the Florida main drain code (6/7/02 issue). I have been designing swimming pools for about 40 years. My standard procedure of the design of wading pools was to connect the main drain to the skimmer....

A fresh look. (letters).
July 12, 2002... I want to compliment you on the newly revised appearance of Product Pipeline. This section now has a fresh, colorful and inviting look, and it is a great improvement. Thank you for this contribution to the industry. Jack Doscher...

California pool bills moving along ...
July 12, 2002... Two California bills have moved another step toward enactment. A.B. 2455, which would mandate two drowning-prevention devices on all residential pools statewide, has passed the Senate Housing Committee. That prompted a letter-writing campaign...

Head for peach country ...
July 12, 2002... The 2003 Southeastern Pool & Spa Show, hosted by National Spa & Pool Institute Region 10, is scheduled for Atlanta Feb. 4-7 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel and at the Georgia International Convention Center. New to the event will be a casino...

Supreme Court overturns patent ruling. (News).
July 12, 2002... The U.S. Supreme Court last month strengthened manufacturers rights by overturning a controversial patent ruling. The High Court dismissed what it called "rigid rules" established in 1994 by the U.S. Court of Appeals that limited...

Home, sweet home ...
July 12, 2002... President George W. Bush announced his intent to help 5.5 million minority families purchase their own homes before the end of the decade, which may mean new opportunities for the pool and spa industry. This autumn, he plans to convene a White...

What's the word? ...
July 12, 2002... E-National Member News, a new electronic newsletter from NSPI, is designed to update members about the organization and the industry at large. The newsletter is sent to members' e-mail addresses and is open to advertising. To receive a sample,...

Drowning spurs pool safety awareness. (news).
July 12, 2002... The recent drowning of a 7-year-old Los Angeles boy, who lay undiscovered for two days at the bottom of a pool, has brought increased public attention to pool maintenance and water safety. Police and the public were stunned to learn that a...

Alarm battle rages on in Florida. (news).
July 12, 2002... The National Spa & Pool Institute-Florida and the Florida Building Commission are heading to court after failing to reach a compromise over a new building code concerning alarms. The code requires homes with new pools to use hard-wired...

NESPA rewards four scholars ....
July 12, 2002... The Northeast Spa & Pool Association awarded this year's H.J. "Duke" Ellington Memorial Scholarship Awards to four graduating high school seniors or college students who live within NESPA borders. The scholarships, ranging from $450 to $600,...

Bullfrog gets new home ....
July 12, 2002... BullFrog International, LLC, held a groundbreaking ceremony June 11 (shown) at the site of its upcoming spa manufacturing facility in Bluffdale, Utah. When completed in December, the 32,600-square-foot plant will provide 25,000 square feet of...

Pools shrinking, not profits. (business currents).
July 12, 2002... As American homes get bigger and backyards get smaller, more and more customers are asking builders to squeeze a lot of pool into a little area. But with a little creativity, and a lot of accessories, small pools can still yield big-pool...

Nationwide housing starts (in million of units). (business currents).
July 12, 2002... U.S. housing starts unexpectedly surged 11.6 percent in May, the biggest monthly percentage gain in nearly seven years, stated the U.S. Commerce Department. Single-family starts, the largest category of activity, jumped 9.6 percent, an increase...

Drought watch. (business currents).
July 12, 2002... No precipitation, low humidities, high winds and above-normal temperatures provided ideal conditions for wildfires in central Alaska and the Southwest--17 were large and active as of June 18. Drought conditions edged westward into Southern...

Pool and spa industry stock market transactions: quotations are for June 21, 2002. (business currents).
July 12, 2002... Pool and Spa Industry Stock MarketTransactions Quotations are for June 21, 2002 NYSE: New York Stock Excilange NASD: NASDAQ Exchange AMEX: American Stock Exchange TOR: Toronto Stock Exchange OTC: Over-the-Counter Trading ...

Albemarle appoints VPs. (Business Briefcase).
July 12, 2002... Albemarle Corp. (NYSE: ALB) announced the appointment of two executives. The Richmond, Va.-based producer of specialty chemicals for industrial products, and construction and packaging materials named John M. Steitz vice president of business...

Midwest Canvas acquires Century. (Business Briefcase).
July 12, 2002... Midwest Canvas Corp., a Chicago manufacturer of winter, solar and safety pool covers, has purchased the solar blanket and reel divisions of Century Products Inc. in Peabody, Mass., for an undisclosed amount. This move allows Midwest Canvas to...

Heyco Products buys Kaf-flex. (Business Briefcase).
July 12, 2002... Toms River, N.J.-based Heyco Products Inc. announced it has acquired Kaf-flex of Tampa, Fla., for an undisclosed amount. Heyco makes precision-molded and stamped wire-protection, handling and termination products. Kaf-flex specializes in...

Many positive signs. (Leading Economic Indicators).
July 12, 2002... A jump in real money supply and initial claims for unemployment insurance were largely responsible for the Leading Economic Indicators Index growing by 0.4 percent in May. Also contributing positively were average weekly initial claims for...

Sales predictions bright. (Small Business Optimism Index).
July 12, 2002... The index inched up one-tenth of a point in May 2002 to 102.3 from 102.2, signaling solid economic growth, although labor costs and lack of pricing power still are cutting into profits. Sales prospects, however, are getting brighter and owners...

American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM). (Progressions).
July 12, 2002... The American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) announced the election of Merle I. Stoner as a member-at-large on the executive subcommittee for its Committee F-15 on Consumer Products. He will serve until December 2003. Stoner is president...

Moyer Home Services. (Progressions).
July 12, 2002... Moyer Home Services, Souderton, Pa., has hired James King as its pool services manager. King has more than 10 years' industry experience that includes maintenance, repairs, customer service, new-pool construction and quality assurance for...

ITT HydroAir International. (Progressions).
July 12, 2002... Susanne Lydholm has been appointed director of sales at ITT HydroAir International in Varde, Denmark. She is responsible for the company's products in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The last three years, Lydholm was director of sales...

Pentair Pool Products. (Progressions).
July 12, 2002... Hulan "Buck" Hall was named director of marketing at Pentair Pool Products, based in Sanford, N.C. He succeeds Leon Rawitz, now general manager of automatic pool cleaners and aboveground systems. Hall is responsible for corporate and product...

The economic guru: the state of the economy has always been crucial to the industry. This NSPI speaker says there's definitely light at the end of the fiscal tunnel. (profile).
July 12, 2002... Like any group that manufactures big-ticket items, the pool and spa industry is constantly keeping a close eye on the national economy. Interest rates, unemployment levels and disposable income are all cogs in the economic wheels that must roll...

No-algae guarantee program. (dealer programs).
July 12, 2002... By GLB Pool & Spa * Features: designed to boost season. al sales of Oxy-Brite, Algimycin 2000 and GLB sanitizers; company will refund up to $100 worth of products used if algae occurs through Labor Day (Sept. 2, 2002); to be eligible for...

Sweeping rewards program. (dealer programs).
July 12, 2002... By Letro Products * Features: program allows dealers to earn prizes or a trip on company's Imagination Destination Cruise; registered dealers receive Letro Bucks for purchasing automatic pool cleaners, auto fills and qualifying cleaner...

Step N' Stow planters. (product pipeline).
July 12, 2002... By Byron Originals * Features: rotocast planters are designed to enhance the appearance of Step N' Stow molded spa step and are available in three matching tones; can be ordered with or without realistic-looking silk chrysanthemum...

STARburst LED lighting system. (product pipeline).
July 12, 2002... By Essentials * Features: colorful lights aim to enhance any size spa, pool or jetted bathtub; lights change from pink to aqua to purple to blue; available in a 12-and 24-LED unit; designed for easy installation; operates from the existing...

Floating spa cover. (product pipeline).
July 12, 2002... By Horizon Ventures * Features: fits all portable spas, gunite spas, swim spas and soft-sided spas; designed to work together with spa hard-cover to provide heatsaving system; lowers heating cost and increases life of spa hard-cover;...

Aqua radio. (product pipeline).
July 12, 2002... By Wild Planet * Features: floating, waterproof radio features top and underwater speakers, allowing user to hear music above and below the water; kids can create their own underwater world with games and deep-sea sound effects, including...

Vinyl industry facing shortages.
July 26, 2002... A raw material shortage has hit the vinyl-liner pool industry and manufacturers are pointing to a variety of causes, among them the ongoing trouble in the Middle East and the unexpected strength of the car industry. "It's had an impact on...

Electrician law riles technicians.
July 26, 2002... Angered by increased enforcement of a Washington state law requiring service technicians to also be licensed electricians, the pool and spa industry in the Pacific Northwest wants a more active role in government regulation of its operations....

Spies like us. (reflections).
July 26, 2002... Recently, I heard a feature on National Public Radio about a new kind of retail store. Well, it s not a store, really. The radio show called it a "spying store," or "lab." This facility, located in a mall in the Midwest, looks exactly like...

Unwanted services ...
July 26, 2002... Unwanted service... A pool maintenance worker confessed to police that he sexually fondled two teenage girls June 24 while servicing an apartment complex pool in Detroit. According to the Wayne County (Mich.) prosecutor's office, Michael Shawn...

A little bit helps ...
July 26, 2002... A little bit helps... A new help line, (866) 4-USA-DOL, is available to small-business owners looking for information on laws dealing with pay and leave, workplace safety, health, pension benefits and veterans' reemployment rights. It is part...

NSPI councils pledge solidarity. (news).
July 26, 2002... In an effort to open lines of communication and better serve the industry, the National Spa & Pool Institute's Manufacturers Council and Manufacturers' Agents Council held their first joint meeting in Chicago in May. The agents agreed to...

Expo will display `ultimate backyard'. (news).
July 26, 2002... The 2002 International Pool & Spa Expo is headed for the backyard. The ultimate backyard, that is. When attendees arrive at the upcoming trade show, slated for Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 in Dallas, they will discover a new display featuring...

Production stopped ...
July 26, 2002... Production stopped... Bromitron Bromine Generators of Orlando, Fla., put the sale of its bromine generators on hold to investigate the effects of sodium bromate, a byproduct of bromine generation, said CEO Mike Robinson. Analysis performed by...

Shining moment ...
July 26, 2002... Shining moment... Canadian General-Tower Ltd., located in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, was awarded the first prize Golden Cylinder Award from the Gravure Association of America for its Bronze Star wall and floor pool-liner pattern. The inks in...

Instructional CD-ROM released. (news).
July 26, 2002... As the industry continues to find new uses for computer technology, a veteran pool builder has released a CD-ROM to introduce viewers to various types of pool construction. Archie Kapp, a retired pool builder who was in the industry for 47...

Show time ...
July 26, 2002... Show time... The Florida 2003 Pool & Spa Show is slated for Feb. 21-22 and will move to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The Rosen Centre, next to the convention center, will serve as the show's host hotel. "With the larger...

Tennesee recognizes A.O. Smith achievement ...
July 26, 2002... Tennesee recognizes A.O. Smith achievement... For the second time in 12 months, motor manufacturer A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co.'s plant in McMinnville, Tenn., has worked one million accident-free hours. The 750-employee facility achieved...

Multiquip Inc. (Progressions).
July 26, 2002... * Tom Yasuda has been appointed CEO of Multiquip Inc., manufacturer of construction equipment in Carson, Calif. He succeeds company founder Irv Levine, who continues as chairman. Yasuda has been associated with Multiquip for more than 20 years,...

Cooley Group Holdings Inc. (Progressions).
July 26, 2002... * The board of directors at Cooley Group Holdings Inc., an industrial textile manufacturer in Pawtucket, R.I., has promoted Jeffrey Flath, Donald Harris and Stephen Siener to vice presidents and board members. Flath coordinates development and...

Proline Distributors. (Progressions).
July 26, 2002... * Proline Distributors in Boca Raton, Fla., has hired Nicole Siben as director of marketing. Siben oversees promotions and marketing for Proline's Boca Raton, Riviera and South Broward branches.

Creating your destiny: a renowned sales trainer says managers often rest on their laurels. The key to growth, he says, is constant change. (profile).
July 26, 2002... Steve Hasenmueller wants executives in the pool and spa industry to set goals, take charge and take responsibility. "No matter what the subject matter is, it comes down to personnel development," Hasenmueller says. "You grow yourself and...

In memoriam. (Progressions).
July 26, 2002... * Chuck Swanman, a 20-year veteran of the Advantis Technologies sales force in Alpharetta, Ga., passed away May 26. He was 70 years old. Swanman joined Applied Biochemists in 1982 as Southeast regional sales manager for pool, spa and surface...

As Mercury rises, so do sales. (business currents).
July 26, 2002... Warmer than usual weather across the country has the public sweaty and uncomfortable--just the way pool and spa professionals like it. "We like people hot and miserable," said Jai O'Neill, district sales manager at Raypack Inc.,...

Shoppers react to Wall Street woes. (business currents).
July 26, 2002... U.S. Consumer Confidence Index The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence index declined four points in June. "Weak labor market conditions, generally soft business conditions and waning public confidence in questionable business practices...

The heat is on. (business currents).
July 26, 2002... Temperatures in all parts of the nation have risen above the average for the period of July 2001 to June 2002, with the Northeast catching the most heat. Here's a regional breakdown of the trend.

Pool and spa industry stock market transactions: quotations are for July 8, 2002. (business currents).
July 26, 2002... Pool and Spa Industry Stock Market Transactions Quotations are for July 8, 2002 Vol. NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE Symbol (100s) A.O. Smith Corp....

8.4 million still unemployed. (business currents).
July 26, 2002... The jobless rate among major industries remained essentially unchanged in June at 5.9 percent. noted the U.S. Department of Labor. Topping the list was the construction sector. The total number of unemployed persons reported in June is 8.4...

Rates remain reliable. (business currents).
July 26, 2002... Most regional and state unemployment rates either were little changed or declined from April to May, but remained markedly higher than a year earlier. The Midwest region had the lowest unemployment rate in May, 5.3 percent. The West continued...

Polyair receives $58 million in credit. (Business Briefcase).
July 26, 2002... Polyair Inter Pack Inc. (AMEX: PPK), a Toronto manufacturer of pool accessories and protective packaging, has secured new banking arrangements to receive $58 million in credit over a multiyear period. The new agreement with LaSalle Business...

Clearon announces price increase. (Business Briefcase).
July 26, 2002... Clearon Corp., a South Charleston, W.V.-based company specializing in the production of dry sanitizers for residential pools and spas, has announced a price increase for Halobrom, a disinfectant for pools, spas and recreational water systems....

Vyn-All acquires cover division. (Business Briefcase).
July 26, 2002... Vyn-All Products Corp. in McKenzie, Tenn., announced it has purchased the safety pool cover division of Century Pool Products in Atlanta. As a result, organization and preparation for the sales and manufacturing of inground-pool covers for the...

Checking it out: employee background checks can save your company thousands of dollars if the worst were to occur. Here's what you should know. (management).
July 26, 2002... If you run a small business, chances are, there's a criminal in your midst. And if that person harms a worker, or a customer, the high cost of crime could take on a whole new meaning for you and your company. In fact, workplaces are...

Seeing the light: want to brighten your sales outlook? Consider adding outdoor lighting to the product mix. (retailing).
July 26, 2002... You might say there's a light bulb going off in the heads of retailers across the country. As the backyard lifestyle--and the accessories that go with it--become more popular, many retailers are taking the next natural step: offering landscape...

Automatic response: automatic covers need care and attention. Here's how to keep them in good working order--and running smoothly. (service).
July 26, 2002... Automatic pool covers have evolved significantly over the past 10 years, with hand-cranked models giving way to electronic key-operated systems that incorporate more durable and reliable materials. Such improvements have made for real...

Entertainment value: with their interactive appeal and space-saving design, curbless, dry-deck fountains offer both entertainment and value in one package. (AquaScapes[TM]).
July 26, 2002... Over time, architectural construction styles and techniques have evolved. Ornate structures have given way to clean, functional lines. The same is true with decorative fountain basins, which have metamorphosed from ancient wellspring pools...

Picture perfect: a designer uses a simple pond and creative landscaping to produce a picturesque backdrop ... in a parking lot. (Focus On).
July 26, 2002... Everyone wants a picture-perfect aquascape. But for landscape designer Bruce Zaretsky, the pressure was really on. Photographers at a local studio wanted the option of shooting portraits in a beautiful setting without having to go to the...

Expansion joint sealant, adhesive. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Accumetric/Boss Products * Features: two sealants offered; Boss 823 is self-leveling; no mixing required for either; adhesive is one part mildew-resistant acetoxy cure for sealing spa jets and fittings; can be used for most repair and...

Leakmaster repair products. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Anderson Manufacturing Co. * Features: company offers repair products, including epoxy putty, dye testers, flexible sealer, butyl tape and a full line of test plugs; provides solution for virtually any leak problem, per manufacturer ...

Aqua glass/fiberglass resurfacing. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Aqua Creations * Features: company offers fiberglass resurfacing services, featuring custom colors and high-tech machine applications * Contact: Aqua Creations, div., RSD Systems Inc. Ventura, Calif. (805) 672-1695 Circle 162...

Hydrazzo. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Aquavations Corp. * Features: company offers polished pool plaster systems for resurfacing the pool * Offerings: approved applicator programs; territories; display boards; four-color brochures; training * Contact: Aquavations...

Epoxybond pool putty. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Atlas Minerals and Chemicals * Features: company offers hand-moldable epoxy; cures hard under water, per manufacturer * Offerings: co-op advertising; dating programs * Contact: Atlas Minerals and Chemicals Inc., Mertztown, Pa....

Hydraulic spiral mixer bucket attachment. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Blastecrete Equipment Co. * Features: 1/4-yard or 1/2-yard options; mixer will mix vermiculite and 3/8-inch aggregate shotcrete; comes equipped with hydraulic side and front discharge * Contact: Blastecrete Equipment Co., Anniston,...

Exposed aggregate and pebble plaster systems. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By C.L Industries * Features: company offers SunStone, SunStone Select, SunStone Pearl, KrystalKrete, Crystal Colors, CrystalStones, Permakote, PeremaSpray and Pooltite aggregate finishes; white plaster, scratch coats and acrylic deck...

Hydro torque. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Cain Ventures * Features: Hydro Torque Mini-Mag water-driven grinder, sander and polisher operates above and below water for use on a variety of hard surfaces; efficient, effective performance; creates a dust-free, electric-free...

Vinyl liner replacement liner patterns. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Canadian General-Tower Ltd. * Features: new inground pool pattern Summer Wave now available; company offers 14 in-house patterns, from classic tile and stone designs to modern patterns * Offerings: brochures * Contact: Canadian...

Decorative concrete coating. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Color-Crown Corp. * Features: oil-, grease- and mildew-resistant; unlimited color and pattern selection; virtual imaging program lets customers view the job before purchasing, per maker * Offerings: non-exclusive and exclusive...

Tajah line of surfacing materials. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Daltile * Features: new for 2002, 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 *...

Serenity liner patterns. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By DLM Plastics Corp. * Features: computer-aided design for exacting fit; 20-mil thickness * Offerings: 15-year prorated warranty * Contact: DLM Plastics Corp., Findlay, Ohio. (800) 444-5877 Circle 171 on Postage-Free Card ...

Pool ceramics. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By DSA * Features: company offers wide range of tiles, trim pieces and accessories for all kinds of bathing landscapes * Offerings: special custom designs available * Contact: Deutsche Steinzeug America Inc. (DSA), Alpharetta, Ga....

SuperDeck wood care kit. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Essentials * Features: kit comes with all the tools required to clean, prep, stain and protect weathered wood outdoor products; includes brushes, scrapers, stain mixers and free tips; gray, redwood and natural stain options *...

Heavy-duty pool liners. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Factory Direct Liners * Features: inground liners in heavy-duty 20-mil vinyl-liner prints and solids; aboveground liners constructed from durable, embossed vinyl sheets; custom-made replacement liners * Contact: Factory Direct...

AQ series coping. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... 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...

Pool resurfacing. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Fibre Tech * Features: resurfacing method sandwiches fiberglass mat between four layers of Fibre Tech resin; designed to be a durable, flexible, nonporous surface; reduce chemical useage, algae buildup, stains and water loss *...

Exterior coordinates. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Fort Wayne Pools * Features: program allows for complete color coordination of every component of a pool, including steps, liners, handrails, ladders and interior pool components such as skimmers and inlets * Contact: Fort Wayne...

Vinyl pool liners. (Renovation & Repair Products).
July 26, 2002... By Garrett Liners * Features: company offers 30 distinctive border and bottom patterns for inground pool liners; extra-strength, 28-mil SuperLine; 28/20-mil TUFFside; exclusive Ultrafit process for exceptional fit * Offerings: 20-year...