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Industry News
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Service Tip
Hose Issues
If an automatic cleaner hose has been stored in a coiled position, it can often result in poor cleaner operation. This problem is especially acute if the coiled hose has been exposed to the sun, allowing the plastic to expand and shrink into a new position. To straighten out the hose, break it up into sections and lay them in a sunny area. Assemble the segments in a different order to prevent any residual memory from the coiling.
• More Service Tips
Visit our Website to find industry experts’ tips on installation, troubleshooting, repair and maintenance.
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Top 50 Buzz
 What new initiative are you working on?
We realize that “pool sales [are] not as strong as they will be in the future, and we needed to concentrate more on outside sources of revenue. To fill in the valleys and smooth the peaks in the pool business, we have paid increasing attention to our land development and storage business.”
How does it work?
“In addition to our storage facilities for boats, custom cars and RVs, we’re now working in land development and multi-family buildings. We buy and develop the land, obtain all the approvals [and more]. We do all the outside landscape and architecture ourselves — parking lots, curbs, flatwork, concrete, landscaping and outdoor lighting. We have a contractor build the building. Then, depending on how much labor I have, we will contract to do a portion of the interior work. When the building is done, we rent it.
“I have men who, on Feb. 28, will be working for Giovanone Land Development. Come March 1, they’re working for Concord Pools again. When the swimming pool industry comes back strong — which I’m confident it will — it’s an easy transition back for your personnel into the pool side.”
— Michael Giovanone, president, Concord Pools and Spas, Latham, N.Y.
PSN Top 50 Builder – No. 30
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Retail Snapshot
 “We had rain and cold during the height of the season, a bad economy, high unemployment … and price increases for raw materials. But, we are surviving because we’ve been in the business for a long time. We’ve been through three recessions, and we’ve learned from it.
“First, we don’t do anything but pools and spas. We also have a very structured operation, and I do whatever it takes to keep my employees. They are my greatest asset.
“One thing that has kept them busy this season was reconditioning spas. We had more customers who traded in their tubs toward new ones. Since these are quality spas, we can recondition and resell them. We have been doing this for a while; though, this year … it has been extremely successful. We sold more than 80 pre-owned spas. We even created a separate booth for these spas at a home fair, and were blown away by the response. We sold all 15-plus of the spas we had on display.
“This coming year, if we have good weather, I think there will be a lot of pent up demand in our area. The problem is whether there will be enough dealers solvent enough to last. At the end of the day, I believe that this industry can, and will, be more successful. I don’t go to work every day because I have to. I do it because I have a passion for it. It’s a wonderful industry, and it’s fun.”
— Ted Hebert, owner/president, Teddy Bear Pools & Spas Inc., Chicopee, Mass.
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Trade Show News
Call for Presentations
The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo has issued a Call for Presentations for the 2010 Expo, which will be held Oct. 31-Nov. 5 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Those interested in sharing their knowledge and business expertise must submit the 2010 Call for Presentations Form by Feb. 15. Final selection will be made by the conference manager and committee members. Click here for more information.
Submit forms to:
Tracy Beaulieu
Conference Manager
P.O. Box 612128
Dallas, TX 75261-2128
Phone: 972.536.6366.
Fax: 972.536.6365.
 Exhibits: Nov. 3-5, 2010
Conference: Oct. 31-Nov. 5, 2010
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada USA
972.536.6350
www.PoolSpaPatio.com | info@PoolSpaPatio.com
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Record Verdict in Diving Suit ‘Strikingly Low’
