Saratoga Spas Hosts Dealer Mart
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 Latham, N.Y.-based manufacturer Saratoga Spas is hosting a two-day Dealer Mart and Vendor Fair in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Nov. 15-16.
The event aims to introduce new products, programs and marketing to the company’s dealer network. Contests, prizes, food and entertainment — including a night at the horse races — will be part of the weekend activities. Information: 800-444-9977, ext. 620
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NPC Selects Keynote Speaker
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 The National Plasterers Council has selected Patrick Wayne, son of famed actor John Wayne, as the keynote speaker at the NPC National Conference slated for Feb. 26-28, 2004, in San Antonio.
Wayne will be sharing memories of his father, along with presenting programs of the John Wayne Cancer Institute, where he currently chairs the board of directors. Information: 866-483-4672; or visit www.npconline.com.
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Two Houston Firms Merge
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Two Houston firms, Galaxy Aquatics and Fountains, announced a joint venture in spa, pool, waterfall and fountain development. The individual company names will remain the same, but both companies will now operate out of Galaxy’s 15,000 square-foot manufacturing facility. Galaxy is a manufacturer of spas, lap pools and fountains; Fountains produces fountains and waterfall products.
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Pranksters Rely on Pool Chemicals
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Two young men were arrested on felony charges in Ocala, Fla., after they created handmade bombs using pool chemicals, reported WCJB-TV 20. The men set up a camera to capture candid responses from the people they surprised by detonating the bombs near them. No serious injuries came from the stunt, but both have been charged with four counts of “making/placing/discharging a destructive device.” Each charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
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Crystal Clear Partners with New Firm
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Crystal Clear Pool & Spa, a Brantford, Ontario, Canada, manufacturer of pool chemicals, has partnered with WaveRep Inc., to develop the West Coast market for the company’s Eclipse3 product. The partnership is key to the company’s plan for continued expansion into the U.S. market. In all, four WaveRep representatives will be responsible for developing different sections of the West Coast market. For more information call 800-263-8250.
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Stellar Mfg. Expands
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 Stellar Mfg. Co., a contract manufacturer specializing in solid particle processing of chemicals, announced the expansion of its Sauget, Ill., facility.
An additional 62,000 square feet of production and storage space is planned. The expansion is expected to be completed this month.
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GAME Announces New Internal Sales Force
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Great American Merchandising and Events (GAME), a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based manufacturer of pool and spa accessories, announced that all sales initiatives and activities now will be run out of its corporate headquarters. The company previously handled its outside sales through a partnership with Vista, Calif.-based Polaris Pool Products.
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Arch Wins Golden Hammer Award
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Arch Chemicals’ HTH Water Products business has received a 2003 Golden Hammer Award for superior service and product value from the nation’s top hardware retailers, dealers and distributors. The award, sponsored by Home Channel News magazine and based on input from 500 top retailers, was presented to company Vice President Randy Hitchens at the recent national hardware trade show in Chicago. Arch Chemicals is a Smyrna, Ga.-based pool-chemical manufacturer.
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Specialty Mfg. Co. Acquires Paradise
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The Specialty Mfg. Co., parent of pump and controller maker Rola-Chem Corp., announced that it has acquired the assets of Paradise Industries in Valencia, Calif., which manufactures pool and spa cleaners. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The Paradise Industries product line will be marketed by Rola-Chem and shipped from the company’s headquarters in St. Paul, Minn.
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GPM Industries Changes Its Name
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GPM Industries, manufacturer of home resort products, changed its name to Great Lakes Home & Resort. Founded in 1969, GPM is best known for its line of Great Lakes Hot Tubs and accessories. Most recently, the Holland, Mich.-based company began marketing a new line of casual outdoor furnishings under the Greenbrier brand. “The alignment of our product lines into a cohesive Great Lakes brand is the next phase of our long-term marketing strategy,” said President Rick Mouw. “We believe our new name more accurately reflects our vision.”
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Water Pik Extends Its Revolving Credit
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Newport Beach, Calif.-based Water Pik Technologies Inc. (NYSE: PIK) amended and extended its revolving bank credit facility to Dec. 1, 2007. The company has utilized a five-year, $60 million revolving credit facility for its U.S. operations and a separate $11 million credit facility for its Canadian operations since inception in November 1999. The credit facilities have been combined into a new $80 million credit facility that includes a $10 million Canadian sub-limit.
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Certol Moves Its Headquarters
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 Certol Intl. has moved its headquarters from Englewood, Colo., to a larger facility in Denver. The new location will house the company’s offices as well as warehousing and distribution for its products to the central United States.
Certol Intl. manufactures specialty chemicals for pools and spas. For more information, call 800-843-3343.
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BioLab Commercial Wins Award
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BioLab Commercial Water has received honorable mention recognition from Field Force Automation magazine in its 2003 Fast Track Awards. The award recognizes its leadership in developing the Aquasite wireless remote water-quality monitoring and management product. It provides commercial service companies and aquatics facility operators and access to their water-treatment systems over the Internet. The Lawrenceville, Ga.-based firm, which makes pool and spa water-treatment products, is expanding its investment in R&D for new products in the commercial pool sector. It also increased its sales/service team and is creating an exclusive authorized commercial pool dealer network.
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Name Change for Muskin Leisure
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Midway, Ga.-based Muskin Leisure Products Inc., has changed its name to Zodiac American Pools Inc. The aboveground-pool manufacturer, which operates a 200,000 square foot facility, has been a subsidiary of Groupe Zodiac for the past 12 years.
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