Participate In Above-Ground Standard Review
The International Aquatic Foundation is inviting industry and non-industry professionals to review the NSPI-4 American National Standard for Above-ground/On-ground Residential Swimming Pools . The NSPI-4 standard describes criteria for the design, manufacturing, testing, care and use of above-ground/on-ground residential non-diving swimming pools and their components.
To receive a copy of the draft standard, contact Jeanette Smith at 703/838-0083, extension 127, or e-mail [email protected].
NSPF Allocates $500,000 For Aquatic Research
The National Swimming Pool Foundation is allocating $500,000 for aquatic research grants, fellowships and scholarships this year. This amount marks a 44 percent increase over last year's budget of $347,000.
The $500,000 budget includes $452,000 for grants, $24,000 for fellowships and $24,000 for scholarships.
"Thousands are raising the industry's professionalism through our educational products," says Thomas Lachocki, CEO of NSPF. "We are so pleased to devote the largest grant budget in our 40-year history. Education and research will plow a fertile future with less injuries and more healthy people enjoying aquatics."
NSPF recently awarded the first $30,129 grant of the year to Dr. Brian Condon, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Ga. The grant will support research on enzyme use in recreational aquatic chemicals.
Advantis Improves Retail Rewards Program
Advantis Technologies says it will reward purchasers of its water care products with product vouchers, instore merchandising support, displays and apparel as part of its Retail Rewards program that runs through July 31.
Retailers who buy $20,000 worth of Advantis products also qualify to win a complete showroom makeover.
For more information, visit poolspacare.com.
Texas Amends Health And Safety Code
Manufacturers, builders and retailers now have to provide Texas homeowners with various safety products that comply with specifications described in the "Enclosure for Pool Yard" and "Gate" sections of the Health and Safety Code recently amended by the Texas State Legislature.
The amendment also addresses safety equipment that retailers and manufacturers must provide with each permanent pool and spa sold and manufactured, as well as information on yard enclosures and gates, including specific measurements and restrictions.
The bill also says if manufacturers and retailers do not comply with the specifications, they are jointly liable for any damages that may occur.
Lynx Acquires CabanaKitchens
Lynx Grills recently acquired Ocala, Fla.-based CabanaKitchens, a manufacturer of high-end outdoor grills. CabanaKitchens will become a new product division for Lynx Grills, which plans to expand the CabanaKitchens collection under the Cabana brand name. Clyde Williams, the former owner of CabanaKitchens, will join Lynx Grills.
Outback Chair Co. Relocates
Outback Chair Company recently relocated its corporate headquarters from Virginia Beach, Va., to San Diego. The company will retain a satellite office in Virginia Beach for shipping and distribution. "Since the Virginia office will continue to function, the move will be seamless and unnoticeable to our existing customers," says Jack Bass, president of Outback Chair Company.
Carter Grandle Leases Showrooms
Carter Grandle recently leased a permanent showroom at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago. The new showroom, located on the 17th floor of the Mart, will open in mid-July. The company also signed a five-year lease for a permanent showroom in The Gardens in Atlanta.
Canadians Can Join Incentive Program
For the first time, Canadian pool and spa professionals can participate in Pentair Water Pool & Spa's 2005 Partners Incentive Program.
The Partners Incentive Program rewards dealers who purchase a qualifying amount of Pentair products with incentives including cash, free merchandise and trips to Hawaii.
Registration for the Partners Incentive Program began Oct. 1, 2004. Dealers have until Sept. 30 to qualify.
APSP: Few Follow Up On Free Leads
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals recently reported that builders followed up on less than 3 percent of the 50,000 free, qualified leads generated by Pool People USA in 2004.
The APSP established Pool People USA in 1998 to promote pool ownership through poolpeopleusa.com, direct-marketing materials and special promotions. In 2004, Pool People USA added its information to improvenet.com, a Web site that matches homeowners with member contractors in their area. This program also provides free leads to Pool People USA members.
After a telephone survey of 2,640 Pool People USA members, APSP found that the lack of builder followups was largely due to lack of awareness about the program and incorrect information in Pool People USA's database.
In order to make more builders aware of the program and its benefits, Mike Miller, president of Miller Davis, the firm that oversees Pool People USA, says APSP is now focusing on educating the industry communicating it through publications and Web-based messages. He also says it is important that builders continue to keep their business information updated on the Web site.
When consumers submit information through improvenet.com, three local dealers are notified via e-mail or fax. Whichever builder first responds to the lead keeps the homeowner's information. If no one responds within 24 hours, improvenet.com sends the homeowner's information to the next three builders on the list.
For more information, call 877/343-7665 or e-mail info@ poolpeopleusa.com.
