In The News: December 9, 2010

SeaKlear Acquires AquaPill Division

SmartPool has announced the sale of its AquaPill Division to SeaKlear Pool & Spa Water, a division of HaloSource.

"The decision to sell the AquaPill Division was made because it was not core to SmartPool's main business of developing and manufacturing non-chemical products for the swimming pool industry," says Lewis Dubrofsky, SmartPool COO.

"This transaction allows us to focus on our core business and continue to expand our research and development activities for a wide array of new technologically advanced products. We believe that our AquaPill customers will be well served by HaloSource."

Scott Bartless, business director of SeaKlear's Recreational Water Division says, "AquaPill and SeaKlear will both remain standalone brands and will complement each other nicely as part of HaloSource's Recreational Water Division. AquaPill's unique dispensing technology gives us the ability to cross merchandise with SeaKlear and to expand distribution of our proprietary water treatment solutions."

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Australian Government Enforces Pool Safety

The Australian government is now enforcing new pool laws affecting residential pool owners, a move that shows American pool safety laws are going global.

Starting Dec. 1, 2010, a pool safety certificate issued by a licensed pool safety inspector has been required when buying, selling or leasing a property with a pool. By May 4, 2011, all pools will need to be included on the state-based pool safety register. And by 2015, all new and existing pools must be upgraded to comply with new safety standards.

According to the Whitsunday Times, pool owners are required to pay a one-time fee of $280 to get a safety certificate in accordance with the new pool fencing laws. The fee includes a preliminary visit, one inspection and the certificate if issued.

The law applies to every pool owner, says the newspaper, and that the certification must be renewed every two years.

It Starts With Purchasing

By happy coincidence, the essential elements of product retail - purchasing, presenting and promoting - all start with the letter P. It's a convenient memory device for those considering how to boost the bottom line in a tepid economy. Think of your inventory buying mission as a treasure hunt to find the best, most reliable and coolest stuff to stock your store.

Read more suggestions about purchasing products.