Pool & Spa News articles from October 2003

Pool & Spa News archives from October 2003

Survey gives NSPI high marks.
October 3, 2003... With the reorganization of NSPI in sight, pool and spa business owners remain confident in their association, a recent Pool & Spa News survey found. Of a total 567 pool builders polled, 59 percent said they were members of the National Spa...

Couch or sofa?(Reflectios)
October 3, 2003... Not long ago, I received a letter from Joel Caesar of NESPA regarding the way Pool & Spa News refers to "this thing with hot water and jets that is not a bathtub." Joel's letter, which appears on page 14, points out that our magazine...

What's in a name?(Letters)
October 3, 2003... For more than 30 years, I have watched our industry wrestle with itself and confuse the buying public by being unable to decide on one name for the product we sell that is filled with hot water, has a recirculation system, a heater, jets, and...

A designer's dream.(Letters)
October 3, 2003... Re: Masters of Design issue, 7/11/03 The pools you picked were each perfect in their own way and style. Excellent choices. The reasons you picked them were succinctly expressed and conveyed a good sense of the balance of art, heart and...

There's only one Mineralizer.(Letters)
October 3, 2003... In reference to your Aug. 22 article The Science of Santization," we find many misnomers and biased reporting. Lifeguard Purification Systems (LPS) has been in the "alternate sanitation" business since 1988 and sells electronic copper/silver...

Outrageous lawsuit.(Letters)
October 3, 2003... Re: 9/5/03 news story, "Sta-Rite Held Liable for $104 million." This jury award is outrageous! Pumps don't entrap people--careless pool operators and ignorant swimmers entrap each other! The apartment-pool caretakers should have made...

Selling assets helps businesses grow.(Making News)
October 3, 2003... In the last two years, mergers and acquisitions led by companies such as SCP Pool Corp., Valterra Products Inc. and Water Pik Technologies Inc. became big news in the pool anal spa industry. On a smaller--but still significant--scale, several...

Hard-wired alarm case drags on.
October 3, 2003... It's unlikely that a ruling on whether Florida residential pools will be required to have hard-wired alarms will be forthcoming this year. The Florida Building Commission had passed a law in 2001 requiring such devices, but NSPI-Florida...

Polaris WaterDesigns to move.
October 3, 2003... Polaris Pool Systems is relocating its Polaris WaterDesign manufacturing operations to Vista, Calif. Previously, the company's Florida facility built Polaris' line of PowerFalls, FiberFalls, MiniJets and RainFalls, as well as other...

NSPI eyes spa tech certification.(Making News)
October 3, 2003... The National Spa & Pool Institute is in the process of developing a program that will certify spa service technicians in much the same it way it does for pool builders and pool technicians. "A lot of the spa guys, whether it's perception or...

Starts still strong.(Making News)
October 3, 2003... Home builders began work on single-family homes at a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.48 million units in August. Though down by 4 percent from July, the starts haven't lost their past momentum yet. "This is unquestionably a strong report," said...

Chemical leaks at Florida firm.
October 3, 2003... A chemical exposure at a Florida manufacturer of aluminum parts for patio and pool enclosures caused more than 50 employees to seek treatment in September, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The incident occurred at Florida Extruders Inc.,...

Retailers should check PPG lids.
October 3, 2003... PPG Industries, a pool and spa chemical manufacturer, announced that some of its new 25- and 50-pound pails of granular calcium hypochlorite may have child-resistant latches on the lids that might not fully engage, reports Business Wire. No...

Correction.
October 3, 2003... In the Sept. 5 issue that named the 2003 Pool & Spa News Top SO Builders, Presidential Pools was inadvertently omitted. With a revenue of $20.5 million in 2002, the company should have been ranked No. 9. We regret the error.

NSPI launches builder course.(Making News)
October 3, 2003... After more than a year in development, NSPI will hold its first Certified Builder Level 1 course, in conjunction with the Northeast Spa & Pool Association. "When we started the [NSPI] Builders Council, education was top priority," said Al...

All systems go for small business.(Making News)
October 3, 2003... The Small Business Optimism Index made a big leap in August, gaining 4.1 points to come in at 104.7, a record since the monthly surveys began in 1986. Nine of the 10 components in the survey posted gains. The lone loser was the outlook for...

Industry reacts to huge lawsuit.(Making News)
October 3, 2003... A recent lawsuit, in which Sta-Rite Industries was ordered to pay $104 million to a suction-entrapment victim, shocked industry members. "It's just another example of the abusive nature of our legal system," said Bob Rasp, past chairman of the...

Helms retires from BioGuard.
October 3, 2003... Keith Helms, Southwest dealer development manager at Lawrenceville, Ga.-based chemical manufacturer BioGuard, is retiring after a 20-year career in the pool and spa industry. During his career with BioGuard, he earned four BioGuard Fabulous...

Beachcomber taps Casey.
October 3, 2003... Shaun B. Casey has been hired as vice president of franchise sales and acquisition at Beachcomber Hot Tub and Home, an Oakville, Calif.-based franchiser of leisure-market retail store. Casey will focus on secondary franchise markets, and adding...

Paragon of success: Joe Vassallo is a shining example of what a pool salesperson should be.(People)
October 3, 2003... Joe Vassallo feels good about what he does. And he wants others to feel the same. "I just don't believe there are a lot of people in this world who can do what a good pool professional can do," said Vassallo, president of Paragon Pools in...

Showroom savvy: tips for creating a store that informs customers and moves products.(Show Time)
October 3, 2003... The overall environment, merchandise presentation and the people working in a showroom or store all contribute to a customer's shopping experience. Pool and spa dealers can follow a few simple tips to ensure that people have a positive and...

Commercial success: public pools are getting a bad reputation. Here's how to best combat recreational water illness.(Technically Speaking)
October 3, 2003... A recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control attributed an alarming rise in recreational water illnesses to poor pool water sanitization and maintenance practices. This report offers a wealth of information for even the savviest pool...

Viking pools ... the most built fiberglass pools in the industry.
October 3, 2003... The Viking Advantage Viking Pools manufactures an impeccable product with unsurpassed service and a lifetime warranty. In addition to various pool styles and sizes, Viking offers more options than any other pool manufacturer with features...

Read the fine print: be very sure you understand contracts and what you're agreeing to when signing them, lest you get some rather unpleasant surprises later on.(Legal Eagle)
October 3, 2003... Most Sales in the United States are completed using preprinted forms. Companies often pay little attention to these, whether their own or those used by customers and suppliers. The result: Business owners are bound by conditions or terms they...

Fountain of youth: these newly renovated older pools enticed their owners to fall in love with them all over again.(Aqua Scapes)
October 3, 2003... There are three things people can do in a typical pool that was built back in 1975: They can swim, they can play in the water, and they can crouch in a really tight ball on the first or second stair and try pretending it's a sunshelf. No...

Total transformation: the right techniques can turn an old swimming hole into a backyard waterpark that stands the test of time.(Aqua Scapes)
October 3, 2003... Plenty of builders are riding the renovation wave, but many don't realize just how drastically they can transform a pool. It's possible to change the pool's shape, size and depth, or add whole new features. These additions not only include...

Running cold: how to effectively diagnose heater problems in older spas.
October 3, 2003... Just as arthritis and other ailments tend to creep up on us as we age, portable spas also can develop a few aches and pains as they grow older. One of the most common service call problems on older spas is heat-related--from complaints of low...

Building better bosses: supercharging supervisors and managers to be more effective.
October 3, 2003... For the lust four years, Stephanie Sassenberg has used leadership training classes to provide moral and hands. on support to supervisors and managers at Leslie's Swimming Pool Supplies. Held at regional meetings, topics cover delegation, time...

New floating thermometers.(Product Pipeline)
October 3, 2003... by Essentials Features: thermometers have playful themes: bright plastic toppers include a duck, sailboat, frog, swan, rubber duck or a more classic-themed topper, product is designed to be fun and functional; mix and-match options...

Eucalyptus scented steam room.(Product Pipeline)
October 3, 2003... by Accurate Industries Features: new product features microprocessor controls; solid brass misting head; user-friendly touch pad and backlit digital display for efficient, simple steamroom aroma adjustments; convenient wall/floor mounting,...

The spa cover stuff.(Product Pipeline)
October 3, 2003... by Jack's Magic Products Features: new canister product combines company's formulation featuring UV Intercept with a premium wipe designed for deep cleaning and protecting spa cover vinyl; designed to offer spa owners a simple, effective...

Towel Treeby The Cover Valet.(Product Pipeline)
October 3, 2003... by The Cover Valet Features: company introduces product that allows user to keep robes and towels within easy reach; constructed of rust-free aluminum; available in powder-coated bronze or pewter finish that wilt not rust, rot or stain,...

Battery wireless Aqualink RS system.(Product Pipeline)
October 3, 2003... by Jandy Features: new system comes with rechargeable batteries; designed to provide complete pool and spa control in a battery-powered portable desktop unit; operates on 2.4GHz radio frequency signal; does not require line of sight;...

Floating island spaby Poolmaster.(Product Pipeline)
October 3, 2003... Features: company offers the new SubAqua Islander, a veritable floating spa that allows for half-submerged flotation; inflatable has one circular air chamber for flotation, and two chambers for subsurface ballast; a center hole in the...

New little dipper slide.(Product Pipeline)
October 3, 2003... by S.R. Smith Features: designed to be short and efficient; 4-foot, 5-inch-tall slide is intended for moderate use by children under 150 pounds; all-plastic ladder and runway construction; easily mounted to the deck; requires no plumbing...

In-house remote control.(Product Pipeline)
October 3, 2003... by Sta-Rite Industries Features: in-house control panel is designed for use with MaxPlus controls; 10-button panel provides remote control of up to six actuators, a 300W/12V light transformer and a two-speed or booster pump; new hard wired...

Ahead of its time: when the indoor pool at this North Carolina estate was built in the late 1800s, it was a technological triumph.
October 3, 2003... This "home" and its indoor pool have to be seen to be believed. Said to be the largest privately owned home in the nation, the 108-year-old Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau. Its lush 8,000-acre...

A New Orleans state of mind.(Reflections)
October 3, 2003... New Orleans is more than a city. It's a state of mind. You don't just go to a trade show there--you absorb the culture, savor the amazing cuisine and get lost in the music. It's one of the nation's most popular destinations for conventioneers...

Pick your party: the French Quarter is the place to celebrate in style, from romantic dinners to late-night danding--and al that jazz!
October 3, 2003... It's called the Crescent City, the Big Easy, the City that Care Forgot. It's New Orleans, the South's legendary center of beauty and the good life, and the French Quarter is its heart. The French Quarter--98 blocks on the banks of the...

Celebrity chefs and landmark cafes: enjoy the best of New Orleans cuisine, from po'boys to five-course dinners.
October 3, 2003... $ = inexpensive (entrees $10 or less) $$ = moderate ($10-$20) $$$ = expensive ($20 or more) New Orleans and great eats are synonymous, and the French Quarter has the highest concentration of good restaurants in the city. The only...

After dark: from elegant cabarets to raucous bars, nightlife in the French Quarter suits every mood.
October 3, 2003... There's plenty to see and do in New Orleans by day, but the city truly comes alive after dark, The French Quarter is still the heart of the city's nightlife, with comfortable lounges, oyster bars, dance bars, gentlemen's clubs and cabarets in a...

Fun zone: whether you like tours, local history or red-hot musical acts, there's lots to do in the big easy.
October 3, 2003... You haven't lived 'til you've taken a New Orleans cemetery tour. Or maybe you want to hear that jazz everyone's always talking about. If it's eclectic entertainment you like, you've come to the right place. Here are some ideas to help you plan...

International pool & spa expo seminar schedule.
October 3, 2003... Known worldwide for its legendary cuisine, music and vodoo magic, New Orleans inspired this year's, expo planners to conjure up a little magic of their own. The International Pool & Spa Expo offers 59 seminars aimed to educate and motivate...

NESPA's Joel Caesar to retire next year.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... Joel Caesar, executive director of the Northeast Spa & Pool Association-NSPI Affiliate, will retire Jan. 31, after a 21-year career with the association. "My aspirations are to relax, enjoy life, travel and keep busy in a variety of things...

Dimension one names new chief.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... Dimension One Spas, a manufacturer of portable spas and aquatic fitness products, has appointed John Hradnansky chief operating officer. Hradnansky joined the Vista, Calif.-based firm Sept. 22. His predecessor, Jim McClure, resigned in...

Battling the real monsters.(Reflections)
October 24, 2003... A friend of mine once came up with an unusual method for keeping his young children away from electrical sockets. He told them there was a big monster living inside the wall, and it might attack if they went too close to the outlet. The story...

The ozone zone.(Letters)
October 24, 2003... Your article, "The Science of Sanitization" by Julie Sturgeon (8/22/03), is inaccurate and misleading regarding residential ozone. Specifically, DEL Ozone believes that a reader would be confused whether ozone is beneficial or not for their...

More ozone discussion.(Letters)
October 24, 2003... Re: Ozone and Chlorine in Swimming Pools and Spas I am writing to you in response to the article "The Science of Sanitization." As a manufacturer of ozone generators fin the pool and spa industry, we feel that some points made in the...

Elderly drowning rates on the rise.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... When four elderly residents of Scottsdale, Ariz., drowned this past year, the fire department became concerned. "In that same time frame, there were no child drownings.... That's what was so surprising," said Sandy Nygaard, the Scottsdale...

Saratoga Spas hosts Dealer Mart.
October 24, 2003... Latham, N.Y.-based manufacturer Saratoga Spas is hosting a two-day Dealer Mart and Vendor Fair in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Nov. 15-16. The event aims to introduce new products, programs and marketing to the company's dealer network. Contests,...

NPC selects keynote speaker.
October 24, 2003... The National Plasterers Council has selected Patrick Wayne, son of famed actor John Wayne, as the keynote speaker at the NPC National Conference slated for Feb. 26-28, 2004, in San Antonio. Wayne will be sharing memories of his father, along...

No punitive hearing in Sta-Rite case.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... The entrapment victim recently awarded $104 million in compensatory damages from Sta-Rite industries will not be allowed to pursue punitive damages. A Florida judge denied a request by the guardian of Lorenzo Peterson to pursue a...

Two Houston firms merge.
October 24, 2003... Two Houston firms, Galaxy Aquatics and Fountains, announced a joint venture in spa, pool, waterfall and fountain development. The individual company names will remain the same, but both companies will now operate out of Galaxy's 15,000...

Pranksters rely on pool chemicals.
October 24, 2003... Two young men were arrested on felony charges in Ocala, Fla., after they created handmade bombs using pool chemicals, reported WCJB-TV 20. The men set up a camera to capture candid responses from the people they surprised by detonating the...

Crystal Clear partners with new firm.
October 24, 2003... Crystal Clear Pool & Spa, a Brantford, Ontario, Canada, manufacturer of pool chemicals, has partnered with WaveRep Inc., to develop the West Coast market for the company's Eclipse3 product. The partnership is key to the company's plan for...

SCP broadens international reach.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... SCP Pool Corp. has acquired three more companies--one near Cleveland and two that are internationally based. The distribution assets of Litehouse Products Inc., known largely as a pool and spa retail chain in the northeastern United States,...

Consumer spirits dampened.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... The Consumer Confidence Index, which had rebounded in August, gave back all of the gain in September to stand at 76.8. That's nearly a five-point dip. "The lack of improvement in labor market conditions continues to dampen consumers' spirits,"...

Stellar Mfg. expands.
October 24, 2003... Stellar Mfg. Co., a contract manufacturer specializing in solid particle processing of chemicals, announced the expansion of its Sauget, Ill., facility. An additional 62,000 square feet of production and storage space is planned. The expansion...

Game announces new internal sales force.
October 24, 2003... Great American Merchandising and Events (GAME), a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based manufacturer of pool and spa accessories, announced that all sales initiatives and activities now will be run out of its corporate headquarters. The company previously...

Arch wins Golden Hammer Award.
October 24, 2003... Arch Chemicals' HTH Water Products business has received a 2003 Golden Hammer Award for superior service and product value from the nation's top hardware retailers, dealers and distributors. The award, sponsored by Home Channel News magazine...

Exhibitors clamor for slice of PIE.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... The Pool Industry Expo continues to grow. The 17th Annual PIE, held Oct. 2-4 at the Monterey Convention (Calif.) Center, set records for attendance, booth space and number of companies exhibiting. Despite threatening skies, 6,989...

Specialty Mfg. Co. acquires paradise.
October 24, 2003... The Specialty Mfg. Co., parent of pump and controller maker Rola-Chem Corp., announced that it has acquired the assets of Paradise Industries in Valencia, Calif., which manufactures pool and spa cleaners. Terms of the agreement were not...

GPM Industries changes its name.
October 24, 2003... GPM Industries, manufacturer of home resort products, changed its name to Great Lakes Home & Resort. Founded in 1969, GPM is best known for its line of Great Lakes Hot Tubs and accessories. Most recently, the Holland, Mich.-based company began...

Water Pik extends its revolving credit.
October 24, 2003... Newport Beach, Calif.-based Water Pik Technologies Inc. (NYSE: PIK) amended and extended its revolving bank credit facility to Dec. 1, 2007. The company has utilized a five-year, $60 million revolving credit facility for its U.S. operations and...

Job report helps boost stocks.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... Stocks enjoyed a boost earlier this month after a government report showed that businesses added new jobs in September for the first time since January. According to the Associated Press, investors were largely upbeat, but many are...

Pool and Spa Industry stock market transactions.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... Quotations are for October 6, 2003 Net Change Vol. Close from ...

Certol moves its headquarters.
October 24, 2003... Certol Intl. has moved its headquarters from Englewood, Colo., to a larger facility in Denver. The new location will house the company's offices as well as warehousing and distribution for its products to the central United States. Certol Intl....

BioLab Commercial Wins Award.
October 24, 2003... BioLab Commercial Water has received honorable mention recognition from Field Force Automation magazine in its 2003 Fast Track Awards. The award recognizes its leadership in developing the Aquasite wireless remote water-quality monitoring and...

Name change for Muskin Leisure.
October 24, 2003... Midway, Ga.-based Muskin Leisure Products Inc., has changed its name to Zodiac American Pools Inc. The aboveground-pool manufacturer, which operates a 200,000 square foot facility, has been a subsidiary of Groupe Zodiac for the past 12 years.

Hayward acquires EUS.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... Hayward Pool Products Inc. has acquired the pool heat pump assets of Energy Utilization Systems Inc., the companies announced recently. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Hayward, based in Elizabeth, N.J., is the third largest...

Jobless rate doesn't budge.(Making News)
October 24, 2003... The unemployment rate held at 6.1 percent in September, staying steady for yet another month. Employment in the manufacturing and retail trades increased somewhat, but employment in most industries was little changed. Two areas of activity,...

2003-2004 trade show schedule.(Trade Shows)
October 24, 2003... SOUTHEAST International Pool & Spa Expo Nov. 4-7, 2003 Morial Convention Center New Orleans Phone: (972) 536-6360 E-mail: help@poolandspaexpo.com www.poolandspaexpo.com The 47th-annual expo, sponsored...

A strong foundation: with more than 40 years in the concrete and shotcrete business, George Yoggy has become a pillar of knowledge.(People)
October 24, 2003... When it comes to concrete, George Yoggy has seen it all. In his 40-plus years in the business, the former owner of Concrete Equipment Corp., and Shotcrete Plus Inc., has become one of the leading authorities in the industries. "I grew...

Five easy pieces: follow these steps to develop an internal construction auditing program--it could save assets, as well as your business.(Show Time)
October 24, 2003... Most pool and spa builders have established an auditing system to evaluate and control the financial side of their businesses. This system ensures that a company's orderly financial records follow the rules of accounting. In today's...

Testing the waters: how to maximize the benefits of your in-store, computerized water-analysis lab.(Checkout)
October 24, 2003... How many people still use an abacus to do their math? How about a 10-key machine to do bank deposits? The else of these old-school tools is a thing of the past. So why do some retailers still try to get by with their old water-test kits rather...

Setting a pattern.(Design Corner)
October 24, 2003... Great design has a lot of logic in its underpinnings. I don't think designers should do anything arbitrarily--even if the desired result is a somewhat whimsical terrace. Intricate paving designs have the potential to make, or break, a...

New Orleans: in this special section, you'll find expo info, an interview with Anne Rice and much more.(2003 International Pool & Spa Expo)
October 24, 2003... To maximize your time and get the most out of the international Pool & Spa Expo, you'll need to plan your itinerary carefully. To help you stay organized and on top of the many classes and activities available, we've compiled this handy show...

That voodoo spirit: for a uniquely New Orleans experience, visit the Voodoo Spiritual Temple and meet the fascinating Priestess Miriam.
October 24, 2003... Priestess Miriam's round features crinkle with laughter. There's nothing like the notion of a little erzulie to coax a smile from the lips of the Louisiana voodoo icon. "Ah, love," she coos. "The caress of the heart." Erzulie is the voodoo...

Exploring the swamps: get up close and personal with Louisiana's famous bayous on a tour like no other.
October 24, 2003... To hear Cyrus Blanchard tell it, "The city of New Oarleens ain't gotta soul." While some might think he's referring to the NFL Saints, in reality, Blanchard is talking about something Ditka & Co. know only too well: David-like competition....

Visit this pool ... if you dare: Anne Rice fans can actually tour her two homes in the Crescent City, including the pool where a scary scene in The Witching Hour is set.
October 24, 2003... Every Monday afternoon, approximately 100 devoted, vampire-loving fans show up at the front door of Anne Rice's splendid home in New Orleans' genteel Garden District. At 1 p.m., like clockwork, the large white door opens for a free tour,...

Southern style: from lush Garden District mansions to sprawling plantations, you can soak up plenty of gracious Southern living using these tour tips.
October 24, 2003... Writer Mark Twain loved to visit New Orleans' Garden District and called it a place where "the mansions stand in the center of large grounds and rise, garlanded with roses, out of the midst of swelling masses of shining green foliage and...

Troubled waters: suction entrapment is an emotional issue fraught with frightening stories and costly litigation. But just how widespread is the problem and what should the pool and spa industry do about it?
October 24, 2003... The police report refers to the 7-year-old girl simply as "Drown Person." But cloaked in the anonymity of that field investigation report are the true identity of the victim and the tragic circumstances that took her life. Both could...

Viewpoints: members of the industry speak out about suction entrapment.
October 24, 2003... What type of legislation, if any, should be required for new-pool construction to prevent entrapment? "I'm not 100 percent sold on the [safety vacuum release systems] yet, but I think requiring dual main drains is a good thing, especially...

End of the line: believe it or not, sometimes the best thing you can do is to let a customer go. Here's how to do it gracefully.
October 24, 2003... Who turns away business from a famous millionaire? Doug Hackl does. A celebrity business mogul, who shall remain nameless, had a reputation for trying to save money even after the contract was signed. His approach: Everything's negotiable...