Pool & Spa News articles from July 2003

Pool & Spa News archives from July 2003

Water Pik buys air energy heat pumps.
July 11, 2003... Water Pik Technologies Inc. has acquired Air Energy Heat Pumps Inc., a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based pool and spa heater manufacturer, for approximately $8.1 million. Water Pik is the Newport Beach, Calif.-based parent of Jandy, a...

Public pools failing health inspections.
July 11, 2003... More than half of all public pools inspected last year violated health codes, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control. CDC is the first to gather nationwide pool inspection data for analysis. State health inspectors...

Customized fiberglass pools spark sales. (Making News).
July 11, 2003... When a Northern California couple ordered their fiberglass pool, they decided to customize it with a tile inlay mosaic of a mermaid at the bottom. However, that wasn't enough. The wife wanted the pool to tell a story through images. "She...

New president takes Marquis helm.
July 11, 2003... Marquis Spas in Independence, Ore., has promoted Jerry Lankheet, former vice president of sales, to president. His predecessor, Jeff Kurth, has resigned. "Jerry's been my right-hand man for two years. Everyone on the senior management team...

Industry questions asthma study. (Making News).
July 11, 2003... A European study claims to have linked the use of chlorine in indoor pools to a rise in childhood asthma. Belgian researchers found that frequent exposure to chloramine--a byproduct occurring when chlorine combines with ammonia and other...

Builders struggle in rain-soaked Northeast. (Making News).
July 11, 2003... Thanks to an unusually wet spring, Northeastern pool builders and retailers say they're facing a very short swim season that could affect their bottom lines. "The stores are slow... and the builders who were lucky enough to sell inground...

Housing starts pace accelerates. (Making News).
July 11, 2003... Builders ramped up the new-starts pace in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.73 million units, up 6.1 percent over April. Healthy gains in building permits and backlogs of unused permits also bode well for the future. "Unusually wet...

Paddock sponsors swim program.
July 11, 2003... For the seventh consecutive year, Scottsdale, Ariz.-based builder/retailer Paddock Pools & Spas will sponsor a local YMCA's "Learn to Swim" Program. The 12-week program, which takes place in eight inground display pools at Paddock's Gardentown...

Master Pools Guild releases spa book.
July 11, 2003... Schiffer Publishing Ltd. has just released the second book of projects by Master Pools Guild builders, titled Hot Tubs & Spas: An Inspirational Design Guide. The book showcases approximately 150 projects by 35 builders. The Guild is still...

Revised IRC calls for SVRS devices. (Making News).
July 11, 2003... Advocates of anti-entrapment devices for pools and spas are watching and waiting. The International Code Council has made revisions to its residential code, which now includes an appendix that requires vacuum relief systems on newly...

Index looking up. (Making News).
July 11, 2003... The Leading Economic Indicators Index increased sharply in May following a slight gain in April, to now stand at 111.6. It is possible that these two consecutive increases reflect the beginning of an upward trend, thereby ending the flat trend...

Fiberstars announces private financing.
July 11, 2003... Fiberstars Inc. (NASDAQ: FBST) has entered into a definitive purchase agreement for the sale of up to $4,388,250 of newly issued common stock to selected individuals and institutional investors in a two-stage private placement. The Fremont,...

ITT launches web site.
July 11, 2003... ITT Industries Inc. (NYSE: ITT) of White Plains, N.Y., parent of Hydro Air in North Haven, Conn., launched a new Web site to reflect the changing makeup and integrated solutions provided by its fluid businesses. The new site, located at...

Consumer confidence spurs Wall Street. (Making News).
July 11, 2003... Consumer confidence was steady in June as Americans were upbeat about the economy's future prospects, despite lukewarm enthusiasm about current conditions. "While consumers' assessment of current conditions has lost ground since April,...

Pool and spa industry stock market transactions. (Making News).
July 11, 2003... Pool and Spa Industry Stock Market Transactions Quotations are for June 19, 2003 Net Change ...

Indian couple marries underwater.
July 11, 2003... Dipti Pradhan, 31, and Chandan Thakoor, 33, exchanged vows in an hour-long Hindu wedding ceremony in a pool last month. The couple lives near Bombay. Ravi Kulkarni, a diving instructor who officiated, trained them for nearly a month beforehand....

Amended California barrier law passes.
July 11, 2003... A watered-down version of California Assembly Bill 24, which originally would have mandated double safety barriers on all new or remodeled pools, has passed the Assembly. The bill would mandate the printing of a brochure that explains the...

Spa builders systems group moves.
July 11, 2003... Spa Builders Systems Group, supplier of electronic equipment, has moved to a new 60,000 square-foot manufacturing facility. Located in Corona, Calif., the facility has become the company's base of operations. New address: Spa Builders Systems...

Teenager electrocuted in California pool. (Making News).
July 11, 2003... A 15-year-old girl died after being electrocuted in a Southern California pool last month. The girl was visiting a home in Panorama City when the accident occurred. The exact cause of the electrocution has yet to be determined. The city of...

Small businesses still upbeat. (Making News).
July 11, 2003... The Small Business Optimism Index inched forward in May, continuing the gains made in April. This latest reading (100.1) is the highest attained by the National Federation of Independent Business' index since last November. "May's survey was a...

Pentair promotes Hunter.
July 11, 2003... Pentair Pool Products of Sanford, N.C., announced that Jim Hunter has been promoted to manager of business development. Previously, he was manager of technical training and a commercial pool application engineer. "We are confident that Jim's...

Piessens joins Sta-Rite.
July 11, 2003... Sta-Rite Industries Inc., manufacturer of pool and spa products in Delavan, Wis., has hired Luc Piessens as director of marketing for its Pool and Spa Division. Piessens hails from WE Energies of Milwaukee, where he was director of planning and...

BioLab promotes Rouse.
July 11, 2003... BioLab Inc. has promoted David Rouse from technical communications specialist to manager of technical services. He is 'a knowledgeable and customer-focused leader for our vitally important technical services department," said Mary Costanzo,...

Baufield joins Vanson HaloSource.
July 11, 2003... Vanson HaloSource, a specialty pool chemical manufacturer in Redmond, Wash., has announced that Kurt Baufield has been hired as general manager for its Sea-Klear Pool and Spa Products Division. "Kurt brings significant experience from a long...

W.R. Meadows promotes Tench.
July 11, 2003... W.R. Meadows of Hampshire, Ill., has named Glenn Tench director of marketing. He will continue to perform the duties of his previous office, sales manager of W.R. Meadows-Canada, while taking on his new duties. Tench has been with W.R. Meadows...

The vanishing act: Lew Akins helped pioneer the art of the vanishing-edge pool. (People).
July 11, 2003... After his father sold the family pool business years ago, David Akins went looking for a job. Nobody was hiring--until David told them his last name. "Then they'd go, 'Whoa, whoa, we're interested,'" David said. "It was all about the name...

Pondless waterfall. (Product Pipeline).
July 11, 2003... Aquascape Designs Features: designed for areas with a shortage of space; waterfall doesn't need pond--instead, water filters through constructed wetlands area; sounds and looks natural, according to manufacturer Contact: Aquascape...

Multiport ball valve type 23. (Product Pipeline).
July 11, 2003... Asahi America Features: one piece; O-ring stem seals; integrally molded ISO mounting pad for easy mounting of actuators or other accessories; built-in spanner wrench for easy assembly and disassembly if maintenance is required; available...

Blue isle. (Product Pipeline).
July 11, 2003... Blue Hawaiian Fiberglass Pools Features: company offers 15-by-34-by-6.6-foot-deep, freeform pool model; allows the integration of spillover spas, waterfalls and water fountains; made using 100 percent vinyl ester resin, per maker ...

CAT 2000 professional package. (Product Pipeline).
July 11, 2003... Chemical Automation Technologies Features: designed to save time and effort during installation; factory assembled CAT 2000 pH/ORP water chemistry controller, flowcell with rotary flow sensor on 24-inch PVC Backboard Contact: Chemical...

Pool sports products. (Product Pipeline).
July 11, 2003... Huffy Sports Features: floating basketball goal, which allows for play anywhere in pool, floats; pool volleyball net system comes with heavy-duty net and stainless steel hardware; electronic basketball game "Fold-A-Hoop," electronic...

Sol 1000 v2. (Product Pipeline).
July 11, 2003... Polaris Pool Systems Features: wireless, automated control system for new and existing pools and spas; large range of mobility, per maker; routine function and maintenance programmable; control pool and spa temperatures, outdoor lighting,...

Aqua fun refreshment float. (Product Pipeline).
July 11, 2003... Poolmaster Features: inflatable serving tray, can be used for pool and spa parties; made of heavy-gauge translucent vinyl; floral designs; six cup holders surround center fruit or snack holder; measures 29 inches across by 5 inches tall...

Marine audio products. (Product Pipeline).
July 11, 2003... Prospec Electronics Features: AM/FM/CD receivers, speakers, wired remotes and amplifiers designed to provide quality sound under wet conditions; circuit board components encapsulated in Plasticote and silicone for protection against...

A masterpiece. (Reflections).
July 11, 2003... Welcome to the Pool & Spa News Masters of Design. This issue of the magazine has been the most challenging one I have ever worked on and, I'm proud to say, it's also one of the best. Our editors scoured the nation to find pool and spa...

The layered look. (Gunite Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because the builder said "yes" when everyone else said "no." Because the serpentine curves add order and roominess to the relatively small yard. Because it features one of the most interestingly shaped spas we've ever seen. Because the artful...

Coverstar. (Masters Of Design Special Advertising Section).
July 11, 2003... Whether you want an easy to install pool cover or one that meets the toughest requirements of a custom pool, Coverstar has the answer. Coverstar offers the widest range of pool cover options in the industry. EASY TO INSTALL: The Leading...

The big squeeze. (Gunite Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because the backyard sprang, fully formed, from the designer's head like a mythological figure. Because the shallow, copper fountain basin inadvertently mimics the pool's lily pads. Because it looks like a reflecting pool. Because the designer...

Consumers create their own dream pool: MyDreamPool.Com creates consumer leads for builders. (Cornerstone Masters Of Design Sponsor).
July 11, 2003... MyDreamPool.Com Links Consumers to Builders Summertime is all about fun, family get-togethers and relaxing in your very own swimming pool, which is why consumers are excited about Hayward's design-your-own-pool Web site. MyDreamPool.com was...

French twist. (Gunite Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because the pool and pond re-create a 14th century olive mill in the French countryside. Because the expansive pond laps up against one side of the house. Because a wooden bridge cleverly conceals the separation between pond and pool. Because...

The business behind the beauty. (Masters Of Design Special Advertising Section).
July 11, 2003... If you can envision it, National Pool Tile Group can help you build it. How many dream projects sat on hold because your client couldn't make a decision on tile or decking? That problem has been solved by National Pool Tile Group with...

Streams of consciousness. (Gunite Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because the three-sided vanishing edge pool looks more mystical than manmade. Because seven circulation, filtration and pump systems make this project look as if it's all part of the lush landscape. Because the naturalistic pool has a high tech...

Sun Systems Inc. is a company definitely thinking outside the box! (Masters Of Design Special Advertising Section).
July 11, 2003... Sun Systems Inc. is diversifying and setting a new standard for quality service and installation in the pool cover and solar water heating industry. On February 20, 2003 Sun Systems Inc. purchased Poolsaver's product line, international...

Perfect fit. (Gunite Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because the freeform pool, flagstone deck, elevated spillway spa, fireplace and built-in gas grill are masterfully co-mingled in a relatively small backyard space. Because the dry stacked stone spa matches the exterior of the fireplace. Because...

Best of both worlds. (Gunite Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because a spa bridges the philosophical gap between a husband's 9-foot-deep vanishing-edge pool and a wife's shallower, nonsplash pool. Because solar panels keep her pool warmed to 92 degrees. Because a rock outcropping serves as a diving...

Bold and beautiful. (Portable Spas).
July 11, 2003... Because its majestic view of the Rockies and expansive Flat Head Lake gives soakers the sensation of sitting on a throne more than in a spa. Because the symmetrical, 14-foot-high columns and oversized wooden trusses make the room feel...

Dark to light. (Portable Spas).
July 11, 2003... Because carefully designed lighting fills a once dark, dank space with a warm, golden glow. Because the spa's tasteful private room was created out of the most useless spot in the house--underneath the stairs, in the basement. Because panes of...

The great wall. (Portable Spas).
July 11, 2003... Because even odd-shaped backyards with slopes and concrete walls can be formed into aquatic retreats. Because the yard's dominant element--a concrete wall--was smoothed into a sleek waterfeature with an L-shaped pond, which wraps around the...

Cathedral ceiling. (Portable Spas).
July 11, 2003... Because the elegant outdoor sanctuary seems to beckon visitors. Because rooftop skylights mean soakers don't just bathe in water. Because accent lighting along the columns emphasizes the beauty of the wood above and provides an intimate...

The shape of things. (Portable Spas).
July 11, 2003... Because the designer knew the view was the star of this show. Because the diamond-shaped, glass wind block echoes the triangular tops of the mountains in the distance. Because the design, now decades old, incorporated numerous innovations that...

The time machine. (Water features).
July 11, 2003... Because it lies at the exact stylistic point where traditional meets contemporary. Because 76 dots of fiberoptic light twinkle in a seemingly random pattern on the floor. Because that pattern actually forms the star constellation from the...

Flower power. (Water features).
July 11, 2003... Because the fountain's seeming simplicity belies the complexity of its design. Because the builder meticulously positioned the stone for untold hours to achieve the intricate chrysanthemum pattern. Because the design conserves water as much as...

Welcoming waters. (Water features).
July 11, 2003... Because the water cascading over multiple spillway weirs masks street noise. Because clever foliage positioning creates big-time privacy in a small-scale setting. Because the installers painstakingly created a manmade shoreline to line the...

Love triangles. (Water features).
July 11, 2003... Because the custom-made copper fountain is shaped like the pond. Because Boston ivy drapes over the sides of the spout during summer, making it appear to float on the water. Because the ivy changes color with the season, creating a crimson...

White space. (Vinyl-Liner Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because the bright blue water flows into an outdoor alcove containing floor-to-ceiling windows. Because the homeowner insisted that his backyard showpiece be in vinyl. Because the builder gave it a chance, even though he wasn't sure a package...

Lap of luxury. (Vinyl-Liner Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because when illuminated at night, this lap pool appears to effortlessly float in air. Because the lawn comes "this close" to the coping. Because the patternless, solid gray liner fools you into thinking you're looking at a gunite project....

Hawaiian hideaway. (Vinyl-Liner Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because the project's three waterfalls symbolize the best in innovative vinyl-liner pool design: functionality, sophistication and beauty. Because the secret, cavelike seating area beneath the main waterfall is the stuff of romance. Because a...

Dual purpose. (Vinyl-Liner Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because this project is a true rarity: a diving/lap lane vinyl-liner freeform pool. Because the pool's functional duality carries over into its shape--geometric yet radiused. Because the deep end can be sectioned off with safety ropes and...

Pool Cover Specialists (PCS): a company on a roll! (Masters Of Design Special Advertising Section).
July 11, 2003... Formed in 1984 as a pool-cover maintenance company and manufacturer of upgraded replacement parts for various automatic-cover systems, the company began manufacturing the earliest version of its own automatic cover system, the Solar 2000 in...

Greater expectations. (Aboveground Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because a white picket fence looks idyllic, whether it's surrounding a pool or a house Because the wide-plank cedar decking complements the pool. Because it's high-end enough to evade local subdivision codes barring many above-ground...

Stacking the deck. (Aboveground Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because if the Swiss Family Robinson built a pool, it might look something like this. Because the irregular-shaped deck--from its built-in bench to its thumb-shaped dining area--creates organic places for living. Because the cantilevered deck...

Masters of disguise. (Aboveground Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because with the right touch, aboveground pools can took classy and elegant without expensive, elaborate decking. Because the carefully placed ring of raised landscaping looks like a natural alcove for the pool. Because the Arizona flagstone of...

Rising up. (Fiberglass Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because this was a project everyone said couldn't be done. Because 3-foot-wide, 15-foot-deep footings combined with doublemat reinforced rebar were needed to support the sheer weight of this ambitious design. Because so much cement was used for...

Southern charm. (Fiberglass Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because the sand-colored pool interior harmonizes with the Spanish-style home. Because the brick coping hides the fiberglass pool's lip and plays off of the crimson tones of the metal roof. Because the coping rests on a fully supported,...

Made to order. (Fiberglass Pools).
July 11, 2003... Because the 2-foot-wide, 8-inch-deep cement collar around the pool shell, paired with foam insulation, keeps heating bills lower during chilly Oregon winters. Because a six-head, in-floor cleaning system keeps the pool looking gorgeous. Because...

Zodiac sells leisure division.
July 25, 2003... The Zodia Group, a manufacturer of aboveground pools, automatic cleaners and sanitization equipment, has sold its Leisure Division, which markets inflatable water-sport products under the Sevylor brand name. The sale to National Ventures,...

Hayward hires new top execs.
July 25, 2003... Hayward Pool Products recently appointed two high-level executives to fill the void left by the sudden departure of Paul Lawer, the company's president and CEO. Lawer resigned in June to "pursue other opportunities," according to company...

Picture perfect. (Reflections).
July 25, 2003... Since I've worked at Pool & Spa News, the following scenario has happened dozens of times. "Wow, look at this pool," a section editor will say, holding up a photo of a stunning and highly unusual aquascape. "We should profile how it was...

Spa sales up down South. (Making News).
July 25, 2003... In the last five years, Stuart Rogers has seen the popularity of hot tubs in the southern United States cross all demographic boundaries. Consumer enthusiasm currently bubbles over, not only among single adults, but also families and couples...

Ultimate Backyard contest winner announced.
July 25, 2003... The winner of the International Pool & Spa Expo's Ultimate Backyard Design Contest has been chosen: James A Burba, CBP, Rosebrook Carefree Pools in Highland Park, Ill. His prize: an all-expense-paid trip to the 2003 Expo in New Orleans in...

Haywaed issues pool heater recall. (Making News).
July 25, 2003... Hayward Pool Products has issued a nationwide recall of its H-Series ED2 pool heaters due to a programming error in the ignition software. In some cases, delayed ignition of gas can create the possibility of fire or explosions within the...

Dimensions One Spas snags top honor.
July 25, 2003... Dimension One Spas has been named "Company of the Year" by the San Diego Chapter of APICS, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster excellence in resource management--specifically, by helping companies improve their inventory and...

Wells Fargo partners with Leslie's Poolmart.
July 25, 2003... Wells Fargo Financial Retail Services and Leslie's Pootmart Inc. announced an agreement to launch a private-label credit card program for all Leslie's Swimming Pool Supplies locations. The new program allows the company to offer credit cards to...

Ruling a victory for Florida pool builders. (Making News).
July 25, 2003... In what is being hailed as a victory for licensed pool builders in Florida, officials in that state have put stringent limits on general contractors' involvement in pool construction. The Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board ruled...

Consumers still confident. (Making News).
July 25, 2003... An uptick in the Consumer Confidence Index in May was followed by a somewhat flat reading of 83.5 in June. Conference Board Director Lynn Franco said that "while consumers' assessment of current conditions has lost ground since April,...

Baystate acquires Baltimore firm.
July 25, 2003... Chuck and John Arakelian, owners of Baystate Pool Supply, a third-generation wholesale distributor of pool products and supplies, announced the purchase of Baltimore Pool Supply, a pool supply company owned and operated by the father-and-son...

New East Coast digs for Finyl Vinyl.
July 25, 2003... Finyl Vinyl Building Products, a Huntington Beach, Calif., manufacturer of gazebos and vinyl garden structures, has opened an East Coast manufacturing facility. The new plant, located in Greensboro, N.C., will enable the company to provide...

Officials on high alert for West Nile Virus. (Making News).
July 25, 2003... With an unusually cold, wet spring on the East Coast, a bumper crop of mosquitoes and a rising number of West Nile Virus cases each year, officials are on alert for the spread of the illness. Already, this year's weather has produced...

Black & Decker buys Masco businesses.
July 25, 2003... Black & Decker Corp. (NYSE: BDK), a Towson, Md.-based manufacturer of power tools and accessories, hardware and home-improvement products, signed a letter of agreement to acquire two businesses from Masco Corp. (NYSE; MAS), a Taylor,...

3M Colorquartz Aggregate renamed.
July 25, 2003... To help pool builders, plasterers and consumers differentiate its product from its competition, 3M Colorquartz Aggregate has been renamed "3M Colorquartz Ceramic-Coated Crystals." The product, which is designed to withstand harsh sunlight and...

Markets ride rising global hopes. (Making News).
July 25, 2003... Stocks skyrocketed worldwide this month as more and more investors bet on an economic revival in the second half of 2003. The rally began in Asia, spread to Europe and then powered Wall Street. The technology-dominated NASDAQ, which led the...

Pool and Spa industry stock market transaction. (Making News).
July 25, 2003... Pool and Spa Industry Stock Market Transactions Quotations are for July 7, 2003 Close Net change from ...

Jandy releases service school schedule.
July 25, 2003... Jandy, the Petaluma, Calif.-based manufacturer of pool and spa pumps, filters, heaters, controls and other products, has released its 2003-2004 Service Training Schedule for Jandy electronics and Laars heaters. The service schools offer...

New owners, head Filbur Mfg.
July 25, 2003... Filbur Manufacturing, a Santa Ana, Calif.-based manufacturer of residential and industrial filtration products. has announced a change in ownership. The company was recently purchased by a group of investors with extensive experience in the...