In The News: September 2005

Chemical Makers Merge

A new giant in the specialty chemical market was born July 8 when shares of Chemtura Corporation began trading at the New York Stock Exchange.

The new company is the result of a merger between Crompton Corporation and Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, the parent company of BioLab.

The merger became official on July 1, at which time Chemtura became the fourth-largest publicly traded specialty chemical company in the world.

"Chemtura is a unique new company with a portfolio of global businesses that have achieved leading positions in high-value market niches," said Robert L. Wood, chairman, president and CEO of the new Middlebury, Conn., company. "Our vision is not simply to add companies together. It is to create the world's best specialty chemicals company."

BioLab customers are advised to continue using the same contacts and phone numbers and are assured that all contracts between BioLab and suppliers will not be affected.

NSPF Publishes CPO Handbook In Spanish

The National Swimming Pool Foundation, Colorado Springs, Colo., will introduce Guia para el Certified Pool-Spa Operator , a Spanish translation of its CPO Handbook, at the World Aquatic Health Conference in City of Industry, Calif., later this month.

According to the association, the new book is the only resource that offers fundamental training and reference for Spanish-speaking pool and spa professionals.

The book deals with reducing risks in and around pool and spa water, and includes information on drowning prevention, suction entrapment, chemical hazards and more. The book will be available from NSPF for $69.95. Visit nspf.org to download an order form.

SCP Posts Record 2nd Quarter

SCP Pool Corporation of Covington, La., posted record sales and net income for the second quarter of 2005. Earnings per share climbed 21 percent to $0.93 per diluted share on net income of $51.6 million, an increase of $0.16 per share and an increase of $8 million in net income .

Net sales for the quarter increased to $564 million, a 12 percent jump over the $504.2 million the company reported for the second quarter a year ago. Sales growth was attributed to the continued growth in the base of installed pools, price increases and strong growth of complementary product sales, according to the company's latest filing.

Gross profit for the quarter, which ended June 30, also increased 12 percent, from $145.2 million in 2004 to $162.7 million in 2005.

"Our success in executing our strategies continues to drive our financial performance," said Manuel Perez de la Mesa, president and CEO. "We remain committed to promoting the growth of the young swimming pool industry and providing increased value to both our customers and suppliers. Based on our strong financial results through the first half of 2005, we now project 20 percent growth in diluted earnings per share for the full year."

Chairman Wilson B. Sexton added that, "the board is very pleased with the company's solid results and strongly supports management's initiatives for continued growth with positive returns for the shareholders."

SCP is the world's largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies and related equipment. It distributes over 91,000 products through its 204 service centers in North America and Europe.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

  • Confer Plastics, North Tonawanda, N.Y., recently purchased a distribution center in Wheatfield, N.Y. Together with the company's nearby manufacturing plant, the new facility gives Confer over 200,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse facilities, which the company says will allow it to expand further into the pool and spa market.
  • Replications Unlimited, St. Louis, has purchased the artificial rock product line of Modern Display, a fabricator in Salt Lake City. The acquisition is the second in a year, following the purchase of an artificial-rock line from Splash Technologies in early 2004. According to Replications Unlimited, the new additions, which include a rock wall series, give Replications the widest spectrum of artificial rock molding capabilities in the United States.
  • Bromitron Corporation recently received EPA registration on BromiCharge, a chemical to be used in conjunction with the company's Bromitron bromine generator. According to the Orlando, Fla.based company, field tests conducted according to EPA protocol showed that hot tubs using the bromine generator and new chemical yielded bromate levels 80 to 90 percent below acceptable drinking water standards.
  • Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Sanford, N.C., recently announced its 2005-2006 equipment training seminar schedule, which includes sessions in 33 states and Canada. Most of the seminars will focus on Pentair's MiniMax heaters and the IntelliTouch control system. Sessions in certain areas will also focus on hydraulics and the company's IntelliFlo and IntelliChlor systems. For a full schedule and to register, visit pentairtraining.com, call 888/755-7946, or e-mail to [email protected].
  • Arch Water Products, Smyrna, Ga., recently held the second meeting of its new advisory council in Chicago. The council meets twice a year and is composed of a cross-section of pool and spa professionals. The council is designed to provide input to the company on industry trends and concerns and to give feedback on retailers' needs.
  • Imperial Pools, Latham, N.Y., recently announced that its newest Vinyl Works vinyl-liner pattern, Natural Stone, has won the Golden Cylinder Award, given by the Gravure Association of America (GAA). The GAA has sponsored the award since 1985, with industry experts as judges.
  • Bullfrog Spas, Bluffdale, Utah, was recently awarded Utah's Best of State medals for both the Wholesale Goods and Pool & Spa categories.This is the second win for the company in the Wholesale Goods category and its first in the Pool & Spa category. The Best of State Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses in Utah.
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