Hydropool has been purchased from its financial partners by CEO David Jackson and Stephane Barralis the vice president of European sales and marketing for the company. To facilitate this restructuring the company entered into a “quick-flip” receivership. As the company stated in a press release, “As such, a receiver was appointed by the court at the owner’s request and ...

Each year, Oregon-based Marquis Spas, awards their top hot tub distributors, dealers and sales people in a number of different areas. “Our dealers and distributors are a vital link to our consumers. They work hard each day and every day, for our mutual success. We appreciate all their efforts in representing the Marquis Brand, especially during these tough economic times,” says ...

Sunbelt Spas announces that as of February 8 they have moved into their new facility at 8500 Hwy 6 South in Houston, Texas. On February 10, the final production line materials were brought over. Sunbelt Spas has details to come about their grand reopening. To learn more about the Sunbelt Spas fire and rebuild, see our story in the Jan./Feb. issue.

Susan Kregar has been named the new executive director for the Central Arizona Chapter of the APSP. The former executive director, Virginia Maxwell, retired January 31, 2010. Kregar has worked in similar positions at the Ceramic Tile & Stone Association of Arizona and the Arizona Concrete Contractors Association.

Ten years after granting their first wish to then 17-year-old Andrea, Marquis Spas has remained actively involved as a sponsor of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Since February of 2000, when the first wish was granted, Marquis has helped almost 400 children and generated more than $2.4 million in spa donations and discounts. Marquis even created the “In the Spirit of a Wish” program. ...

Las Vegas, Nev.-based Artesian Spas signs on Brad Evans as a sales representative. Evans, who is president of Real Market Solutions, brings 15 years of industry experience to the position. He will be in charge of sales in the Northeast United States territory.

This is a reprint of a press release from the California Spa and Pool Industry Education Council. California Legislature Considering 3% Withholding of Fees Paid to Independent Contractors “The spa and pool industry needs to actively engage and add its voice in opposition to this dangerous proposal or be hard pressed to complain about the costs and consequences,” says John ...

December 22, 2009 – SpaRetailer magazine and the International Hot Tub Association are happy to announce they have reached a partnership agreement. The agreement makes SpaRetailer the official trade magazine for IHTA. SpaRetailer and the IHTA are both committed to protecting the hot tub industry and helping it grow and succeed thus joining forces. "Given that both IHTA and SpaRetailer magazine ...

LMC, Inc., makers of Cal Spas, announces that it will begin to manufacture and distribute the Coleman Spas brand. For more information see the attached press release and look for upcoming coverage in SpaRetailer. **NOTE: To download the PDF please click the "save pdf" link above**

With 20 boxes of donations and a $15,000 check in tow, representatives from Vista, Calif.-based Watkins Manufacturing delivered help to a local family homeless center, North County Solutions for Change. The check was a grant from Watkins’ parent company, Masco Corporation. While employees of Watkins—the manufacturer of Hot Spring Spas and Caldera Spas—contributed bedding, ...

As announced by APSP: Hot Tub Industry Growth Initiative Put On Hold Alexandria, VA (July 7, 2009) – The Hot Tub Council of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) has voted to put on hold its Hot Tub Industry Growth Initiative (HTIGI) until the economy improves and widespread industry support exists to restart the effort. On June 5, 2009, the Hot Tub Council held a Webinar ...

DELAWARE’S NEW LIFT PROGRAM HELPS HOT TUB BUSINESS AND OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES DURING ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. Clearwater Spas, Inc. in Newcastle, Del., has received funds through Delaware’s new Limited Investment for Financial Traction program. Delaware Gov. Jack Markell unveiled the program at Clearwater Spas, Inc., the first small business to benefit from the LIFT program. LIFT will use ...

Sunbelt Spas and Premium Leisure LLC have acquired assets from now defunct Living Water Products/Tatum Manufacturing Inc. Among the property acquired by Premium Leisure were the operating assets used to produce a number of Living Water Products/Tatum Manufacturing Inc. hot tub models including two that they will continue to produce – Gulf Coast Spas (now operating as Pinnacle Spas) and Pilates ...

Receive the most up-to-date pool and spa safety information by subscribing to the Consumer Product Safety Commissions’ (CPSC) e-mail list. Visit POOLSAFETY.GOV, click on the Pool & Spa e-mail list page and fill in your e-mail address to sign up.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Northern Indiana awarded Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Master Spas with a 2009 Torch Award for Market Place Ethics this past April. The company, which competed in the 100 to 1,000 employee category, was judged on six criteria including ethical treatment of staff and customers, situations where the customer is put first and staff involvement in activities that better the ...

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals is looking for participation in the development of new hot tub standards. To engage in this process, become a voting member of the American National Standards Institute Consensus Voting Bodies and help shape industry regulation for the years to come. For more information: APSP.ORG.

Alert your customer’s that own in-ground spas of Pentair Water Pool and Spa Inc.’s new iPhone/iPod touch application that works in tangent with the company’s IntelliTouch with ScreenLogic device. The downloadable application, which is available online at Apple’s App Store, allows consumers to control in-ground spa operations from anywhere. Once the consumer has the application ...

Sunbelt Spas has added five members to its sales staff. Roy Shepherd is now the national sales manager. New regional managers include Mark Henderson in the Northeast, Jim Graffe in the Northwest, Roger Bender in the Southwest and Gary Bruch in New England. “I love having this new opportunity to work with a manufacturer that is creative, well-rounded with a great history and true family values,” ...

The International Hot Tub Association was accepted into the American National Standards Institute this past May. The IHTA hopes to write and revise standards for the portable hot tub industry. The association also has assembled an Engineering Committee that will help define technical areas that need standardizing. As standards develop in conjunction with ANSI, the IHTA can help create international standards ...

In December 2008, the California Energy Commission’s Title 20 adopted new amendments that adjust the appliance efficiency standards to spa testing and pool and spa pumps and motors. The new amendments are supported by APSP and were accomplished through APSP’s efforts with Pacific Gas & Electric over the last two years. New criteria were established for spa testing allowing more spas ...