As 2024 has recently come to a close, let’s reflect on the major headlines and significant trends that shaped the pool and spa industry throughout the year.
Industry Milestones and Recognitions
2024 was a year of celebration and reflection for the pool and spa industry, marked by significant milestones and tributes.
1. Vance Gillette, a beloved pioneer in the pool and spa industry, was honored with the GENESIS Lifetime Achievement Award shortly before his passing. Gillette’s innovative spirit and commitment to excellence left a lasting impact on the industry, and he is widely remembered as a mentor and visionary leader.
2. The 2024 AQUA 100 Inductees were celebrated for their exceptional contributions to the retail sector. This honor recognized companies demonstrating outstanding customer service, innovative marketing, and consistent operational excellence.
3. Hayward Holdings made waves by opening the Hayward Hub in Dallas-Fort Worth. The facility, designed to serve as a central meeting space for employees, customers, and partners, underscores Hayward’s commitment to collaboration and customer service.
4. Haviland Enterprises marked 90 years of chemistry innovation with the announcement of a $7 million flagship laboratory in Michigan. This investment highlights their dedication to research and development in pool chemistry.
Mergers and Acquisitions
The industry saw significant consolidation in 2024, as companies worked to expand their reach and capabilities, including but not limited to:
5. POOLCORP completed acquisitions of Shoreline Pool Distribution and Swimline Distributors, helping to grow its operations and distribution space.
6. The Home Depot made headlines by acquiring SRS Distribution (Heritage Pool Supply Group) for a total enterprise value of approximately $18.25 billion.
7. Heritage Pool Supply Group made a number of its own acquisitions — Custom Distribution, Island Pool & Spa Supply, Nucci Brothers Pool Supplies — to continue its aggressive growth strategy.
8. Hayward Holdings acquired ChlorKing, a leader in commercial pool sanitization, signaling an increased focus on water quality solutions.
Advocacy and Philanthropy
The pool and spa industry demonstrated its commitment to safety, education, and giving back in 2024. For example:
9. Fluidra pledged $100,000 to Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). This program, also supported by Pentair Pool and the Florida Swims Foundation, among many others, emphasizes the importance of water safety and accessibility by creating more swimmers through safe swim education.
10. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance continued to advocate for lifesaving swim lessons through its introduction and support of the SWIM Act, a federal effort to make swim lessons widely available and affordable across the United States.
11. Tara Manufacturing took a creative approach to philanthropy, donating over $338,000 to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund through its innovative product sales.
Education and Industry Programs
Education and professional development were at the forefront in 2024, with new initiatives designed to address labor shortages and empower professionals.
12. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance launched the Pool Professionals Podcast, hosted by industry veteran Brian Van Bower. Episodes cover key topics such as design trends, marketing strategies, and workforce retention.
13. The Workforce Development Program, marking its first anniversary, continues to prove instrumental in addressing the labor shortages that have challenged the industry for years.
14. Watershape University honored the late Grant Smith by establishing scholarships for military members, ensuring Smith's legacy lives on through education and training opportunities.
15. The Pool Nation Women’s Summit, now on its third year, continued to grow as a premier event for networking, mentorship, and leadership development for women in the industry.
Safety and Legal Developments
Safety remained a critical focus, as several high-profile incidents underscored the need for vigilance and compliance.
16. A family was awarded a $26 million settlement after a three-year-old child suffered devastating chlorine burns caused by falsified service maintenance reports.
17. Tragedy struck in Houston, where an eight-year-old girl died from suction entrapment at a hotel pool. This heartbreaking event reignited conversation over drain safety measures and regulatory enforcement.
18. In Georgia, a chemical plant fire sent massive plumes of smoke miles into the air, and left the city of Conyers, Ga., under evacuation orders.
19. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) launched "The Clothes They Wore" campaign, aiming to educate industry professionals and consumers alike about the importance of water safety through a powerful visual message.
Environmental Challenges
Natural disasters and environmental factors posed challenges for the pool industry in 2024.
20. King Tides in South Carolina caused significant damage to residential pools, forcing many homeowners to invest in costly repairs and rebuilds.
21. Hurricanes Helene and Milton disrupted service operations in the Southeast, emphasizing the importance of education around service and maintenance after natural disasters.
Olympic Highlights
The 2024 Paris Olympics brought aquatic sports into the spotlight.
22. Myrtha Pools successfully built the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials pool, overcoming logistical hurdles to deliver a world-class facility.
23. Poor water quality during the Olympic Triathlon swim sparked global discussions about sustainability and water management practices.
24. Dubbed “Bob the Cap Catcher” by NBC commentator Jason Knapp and swimming analyst Amy Van Dyken, a man went viral for diving to collect a stray swimming cap on the floor of the pool.
New Products and Innovations
Innovation continued to drive the industry forward with exciting product launches and advancements.
25. Skimmer unveiled The Pool Deck, an online community for pool professionals to share insights, learn, and connect.
26. The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge crowned a new winner, Moses Campos of Claffey Pools, at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in Dallas, Texas, celebrating creativity and ingenuity in pool design. Campos was awarded $10,000 and a spot on next year's judges panel.
27. Bathing Brands North America introduced the World Sauna Group, further expanding into the luxury wellness market.
