Laticrete International Expands
Laticrete International, manufacturer of systems for the installation of ceramic tile and stone, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 2, 2006, for a new $20 million plant expansion at its world headquarters in Bethany, Conn. The new facility, with 32,000 square feet of corporate offices and 110,965 square feet of manufacturing and warehousing space, more than triples the size of the existing facility.
"Bethany has been our base for three decades," says Laticrete CEO David Rothberg. "We love the quality of life here. Local officials helped us keep our environmentally sound business in the town that we are proud to call home."
BUSINESS BRIEFS
• Intermatic has introduced the Try Me Program, so that contractors can try any pool and spa product from the company at a reduced price on a one-time-only basis. Contractors and installers interested in participating in the program need to complete the program form, located in the inside back cover of the new Intermatic Pool & Spa product line catalog.
• The National Swimming Pool Foundation is now offering an online way to obtain pool/spa operator training and to achieve a CPO Certification. The eproacademy online training center, at eproacademy.org went live Jan. 2. Students must earn a record of completion after taking the online training course and then successfully pass an exam at the end of a one-day classroom training to earn CPO certification.
• Skamper-Ramp, dba Skamper Industries, LLC, manufacturer of the Skamper-Ramp for pets, relocated its business headquarters in early November from Charleston, S.C., to Mount Pleasant, S.C. The company's new office is at 1127 Queensborough Plaza, Suite 102.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
• Alpha 3 Manufacturing Corporation has expanded manufacturing operations by acquiring the necessary machines, tools, and molds to produce the substructure components for the construction of in-ground vinyl liner pools. The expansion project was completed in December, 2006.
• POOLCORP is introducing a retail program designed to help smaller retailers compete with the mass merchandisers in their local markets. "The Backyard Place" will give retailers access to the tools they need to compete successfully against retail giants that offer similar merchandise, POOLCORP says, including financial assistance for store redesign, a Model Training Store, access to inventory from more than 250 service centers, same-day delivery in most cases, and point-of-sale systems for business and inventory management. To learn more or to become a dealer, call 888/GRO-POOL.
• The California Redwood Association has announced a new partnership with the California Forest Products Commission to enhance marketing efforts for California redwood. Under the partnership, the California Forest Products Commission will manage advertising and public relations efforts for the California Redwood Association and report to the president of the association.
