Got Hot Tub
Hot Tub Council reaches initial funding goal
The APSP's Hot Tub Council has reached its goal of $400,000 in pledges needed to begin the Hot Tub Industry Growth Initiative's startup work. Twenty-nine hot tub manufacturers and suppliers stepped up to help the Council reach the benchmark. "We're thrilled to announce that our threshold toward the program's startup phase has been met and I'm confident we'll reach our goal of $600,000," said Steve Gorlin, outgoing chairman of the Hot Tub Council. "This shows that the leaders in our industry are committed and willing to do what it takes to grow the hot tub category."
The initial money raised will be used to fund the research, market analysis and communications needed to establish an ongoing funding mechanism to support a large-scale campaign aimed at increasing sales of hot tubs and related products and services. Elements of the campaign include: ongoing market research; education for dealers, service technicians and other industry professionals; as well as a public relations and an advertising campaign to increase category visibility with consumers.
Another industry-wide meeting will be held during the APSP board of directors meeting in March. During this meeting, a strategic planning committee will report on the results of the startup activities and decide when the full campaign will be officially launched.
To volunteer to serve on a task force, contact Lauren Stack at [email protected].
D1 Spas Wins Lean Manufacturing Accolade
Dimension One Spas recently received a silver medal award from the Northwest Shingo Prize at the organization's 2007 conference held in Seattle. D1 Spas is the first hot tub manufacturer to receive the award. The Northwest Shingo Prize is a nonprofit organization established in 2005 to administer the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing in Oregon and Washington. The Shingo Prize is named for Japanese industrial engineer Shigeo Shingo and was establ ished in 1988 to promote awareness of lean manufacturing concepts and to recognize companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico that demonstrate excellence in lean manufacturing. D1 Spas introduced lean manufacturing practices in 1996.
"Winning the Silver Shingo Prize is a huge achievement for Dimension One Spas," said Bob Hallam, founder and CEO of D1 Spas. "The award serves as an independent stamp of approval for everything we've been doing to improve all aspects of our spas and hot tub operations. Best of all, the processes we've instituted not only lead to efficient operations, lower costs and higher quality products, but they lead to a much higher level of customer satisfaction - and that's the ultimate benefit."
Builder Of The Year Award Launched
The APSP's Builders Council presents first CBP of the Year prize
The Builders Council of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals presented the first ever CBP of the Year Award to Albert Rizzo of Rizzo Pool Company, Newington, Conn., at a dinner held at the 2007 International Pool & Spa Expo in Orlando, Fla. The award will continue to be presented, as war ranted, to a pool builder who has earned the Certified Building Professional designation and whose accomplishments over a lifetime have made a major contribution to the pool-building profession.
Judges consider achievements in advancing the profession; compliance with industry standards in pool and spa design and construction; years of service with APSP; receipt of other awards and recognition for pool building accomplishments; educational endeavors for APSP; service to other professional and business organizations; involvement in government relations to advance the pool industry; involvement in community service activities; and other achievements of exemplary service.
Rizzo has been acknowledged for his 50-plus years in the pool industry, receiving a multitude of awards and accolades, including numerous design awards and the 50-Year pin in 2005 from the Northeast Spa and Pool Association. Rizzo was instrumental in establishing the Builders Counci l ( then of NSPI , now of APSP) . He is chai rman of the Builders Education Committee, a post he has held since the inception of the committee. He is both a Certified Building Professional anda Certified Service Professional.
Texas Show Moves To Larger Quarters
The Texas Pool and Spa Show has outgrown its home in Plano, Texas, and the organizers have moved "Roundup In Cowtown" to the Fort Worth Convention Center for the Jan. 9-12 show.
The regional show will share space with a Genesis 3 Construction School, and the design group will additionally lead five builder-related seminars for the expo. Genesis 3 cofounder Brian Van Bower will deliver the show's keynote speech. CPO training and a range of other educational opportunities are also scheduled.
In addition to hosting the Genesis 3 builder's school, the Texas expo will share the convention center with the world-famous Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. "Fort Worth is a great destination," said Tim Long, the show's director. "The convention center is in the heart of historic Fort Worth with the beautiful Fort Worth Water Gardens right outside. We are hoping that folks coming to the show will take advantage of all Fort Worth has to offer.
New Conference And Expo Tackles Water Issues
The Southern Nevada Water Authority, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency'sWaterSense program and other organizations such as the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, announced plans for the inaugural WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition, Oct. 8-10 in Las Vegas.
Organizers say the show will appeal to a wide array of professionals - in fields such as plumbing, HVAC, water utility, development, landscaping and manufacturing - who seek new technologies and processes in water-use efficiency and conservation.
According to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas is an ideal venue for the conference. Despite its reputation for excess, what happens in Las Vegas water use is watched all over the world. Las Vegas's pioneering water-management programs get attention from national and international media outlets on a regular basis. Southern Nevada is home to the nation's largest educational center on sustainable desert living (Las Vegas Springs Preserve) and nation's largest green building project (MGM Mirage CityCenter). And over the past decade, it has developed one of the most progressive and successful regional water-efficiency and drought-management programs in the world.
More information and a call for papers is atWaterSmartInnovations.com.
Nexxus Granted Patent For Submersible LED
Nexxus Lighting announced that it has been issued a new patent related to its LED lighting technology. The patent is for a unique method of heatsinking an LED light engine in a lighting fixture when it is submerged in a body of water.
"As solid-state lighting expands its penetration into white-light illumination, submersible applications such as fountains, pools and architectural water features are being transformed by digital technology. In order for these new high-brightness LED arrays to achieve their promoted 30,000- to 50,000-hour rated life, we are developing new thermal-management techniques to provide proper heat sinking," said Mike Bauer, president and CEO of Nexxus.
The company plans to actively pursue licensing agreements for its technology from manufacturers of applicable products.
Pool Safety Bill Held Hostage In Senate
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act passed the House of Representatives in October 2007, with just three legislators voting "no, " and was unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transpor tat ion Committee. As of mid-December, the bill was stalled in the Senate where, according to Safe Kids USA, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., placed a hold on it along with several other bills that authorize spending without offsetting the expense elsewhere in the budget.
The Washington Post reported that Coburn thwarted two recent attempts in the Senate to pass the bill by unanimous consent.
The Senate version of the Baker bill authorizes $2 million to fund a twoyear grant program for states that adopt certain pool safety regulations and an additional $5 million for a fiveyear public education campaign. It would also require public pools to use drain covers designed to ANSI and ASME standards. The House bill contains similar provisions and authorizes more money for the grant program.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
- POOL SYSTEMS USA's Sub Jumpa Underwater Pogo Stick was voted by IPSE attendees at the best new product at last November's show in Orlando, Fla. The Aqua-Glow Floating Light Assortment, from GREAT AMERICAN MERCHANDISE & EVENTS (GAME), was voted second and MART PRODUCTS' Ostrich 3N1 Beach & Patio Chair finished third.
- Irvine, Calif., distributor POOL WATER PRODUCTS rewarded its 2007 All Clear Professional Dealers with a cruise tour of the Greek Isles and Turkey last November.
- BAYSTATE POOL SUPPLIES, Cambridge, Mass., recently purchased MAIN LINE DISTRIBUTION, a wholesaler of pool and spa products in King of Prussia, Pa.
- A Cal Flame CR-5000DS barbecue cart was a featured prize on the Nov. 12 airing of the long-running game show The Price Is Right. A contestant attempted to win the prize, but failed, meaning the CAL SPAS barbecue cart will make another appearance at a future date.
- CARDINAL SYSTEMS, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., was one of four companies in 2007 to receive an award for Manufacturing Excellence from the Manufacturers Resource Center of Bethlehem, Pa.
- CANADIAN GENERAL TOWER, Cambridge, Ontario, has created an online survey to let dealers choose their favorite new liner patterns. Dealers who vote at cgtpoolliners.com become eligible to win a variety of prizes, the company says.
- HALOSOURCE's SeaKlear division reported double-digit sales growth at the end of the third quarter of 2007, the Bothell, Wash., chemical company announced.
