2022 SOI Builder Report

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: HAYWARD POOL PRODUCTS

Matt Kimball, Hayward VP of Product Management & Marketing, discusses the latest developments in the company’s consumer products portfolio with the Pallas™ collection of water features and lighting designed for new builds and renovations.

AQUA: TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PALLAS.

Matt Kimball, Hayward Pool Products: Our Pallas collection of water features is designed with one purpose in mind: wow factor. I mean, when you think about ultra-high-end pools, what comes to mind? Ambiance, right? It’s all those water features that create a specific mood or atmosphere, like it’s the most luxurious swim of your life. It could be the same water, the same chlorination, the same everything as what you have in your backyard — but it’s those subtle grace notes that really take a pool from ordinary to extraordinary. We like to say that “the water makes the pool, but the details make the Pallas.” And I think there’s a lot of truth to that. Luxury comes down to nailing all the little things to create a holistic, unforgettable experience. And that’s what we want to provide with this collection: premium, automation-ready water features to make any pool build or renovation look like a million bucks.

AQUA: WHAT’S ALL INCLUDED IN THE PALLAS COLLECTION?

MK: For the moment, the Pallas collection includes a wide variety of LED WaterBowls and LED Sheers. We’ve got plans to expand Pallas into a comprehensive portfolio of premium water features — and you’ll see that happen very soon. We’re very excited about the two products we’re launching with, and we’re also looking forward to unveiling the rest of the collection in the near future.

AQUA: LET’S TALK ABOUT THE BOWLS AND SHEERS. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE?

MK: The coolest part of the LED WaterBowls is that they’re semi-transparent — so whether you choose the tempered glass look or one of the six beautiful metallic finishes, your WaterBowl will seem to glow from the inside thanks to the built-in LED lighting. Trust me, this is something you just have to see for yourself. There’s something so incredibly calming about the sights and sounds of flowing water mixed with what appears to be a fire, flickering in whatever color you choose. I’m not sure any description from me can do it proper justice. As for the LED Sheers, their uniqueness comes from the light design. Some lighted sheers can look really dim, especially the wider ones, but that’s not an issue here. Pallas LED Sheers feature the industry’s first topaccess light, which eliminates the problem of light loss — regardless of length. So whether you go with the 1-foot sheer, the 8-foot sheer or any size in between, you’ll still get a bright, vibrant cascade of water that fits into just about any space. And here’s the kicker: Both Pallas products become immeasurably more valuable when you pair them with our Omni automation platform. With OmniDirect Mode™, pool owners unlock additional colors, speed adjustments, dimming capabilities, instant navigation and more. Basically, everything you could possibly want to put on an automated show as stunning as the water features themselves. So quite literally, Omni is what makes our Pallas collection truly shine.

AQUA: WHO WOULD YOU SAY IS THE IDEAL CONSUMER FOR PALLAS PRODUCTS?

MK: I know it probably seems like a cop-out for me to say “everyone,” but come on — who doesn’t want to capture that five-star resort atmosphere in their own backyard? Pallas lets owners add a signature touch to their pools that can make swims more fun, gatherings more enjoyable and relaxation time more refreshing. Realistically, though, the Pallas collection is an absolute game-changer for new builds. That’s obviously the perfect time to start planning around a singular statement piece or design approach. Similarly, Pallas helps pool renovations dramatically transform the look and feel of an existing space with the addition of just one or two well-placed water features. Either way, Pallas products offer the flexibility that pool owners want to create a luxurious space that’s truly reflective of their taste and style, and I think that’s an incredibly exciting opportunity.