News Briefs November 29 2012

Concord Celebrates 40th

This year marks four decades since Latham, N.Y., vinyl-liner pool builder Concord Pools opened its doors. The Pool & Spa News Top Builder has commemorated the milestone with several events. The company began in February 1972, focusing primarily on service, with some construction. In 1979, current president Mike Giovanone purchased the firm, after which pool sales skyrocketed. During Giovanone’s first year, sales went from 30 to 162 pools. The company has grown from one location to three, with a fourth in the works. Besides an awards dinner and vendor events earlier this year, Concord Pools is celebrating its anniversary in December at a holiday party. Giovanone relishes the family that has developed over the years. “Some of these kids that I hired [in the early days], we now employ their kids,” he said. “It’s very, very rewarding. I don’t come to work to sell pools anymore. I come to work to see the people I live with. I’m so proud of our organization.”

Pentair’s Growth Continues with New Acquisitions

Pentair Aquatic Systems has announced two acquisitions to its portfolio — Point Four Systems Inc. and Aquatic Eco-Systems Inc.

PFS, headquartered in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, is a provider of engineered solutions and equipment for water quality monitoring and treatment. It has international subsidiaries in Puerto Montt, Chile and Suzhou City, China.

Based in Apopka, Fla., AES specializes in custom design solutions, equipment and supplies distribution, and technical support for aquaculture markets. They serve a variety of aquatic interests and industries, from commercial aquaculture and lake management to public aquariums and water gardens.

“Point Four Systems Inc. adds critical water quality technology to Pentair’s equipment portfolio while increasing our global reach,” stated Karl Frykman, president of Pentair’s global business unit. “The combination of PFS along with our acquisition of Aquatic Eco-Systems Inc. allows Pentair to be the single point of contact with the client while adding more technological capability and reaching a more global customer base.”

Robert Miller will continue as CFO of Pentair Aquatic Systems, and has been appointed to lead the day-to-date operations of its aquaculture business, including AES and PFS. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Campaign Offers $40,000 for Swim Instruction

The Step Into Swim campaign will be directing a total of $40,000 to four organizations to promote swim lessons. The nonprofit agencies receiving the funding are the American Red Cross, JCC Association, U.S. Swim School Association, and 21st Century Swimming Lessons. The campaign was put together by the National Swimming Pool Foundation to foster swimming education to prevent drowning and improve health. The goal is to create 1 million more swimmers over the next 10 years. Donations can be made at StepIntoSwim.org/donate.asp. Donations are being matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Watch for Economic Census Forms

In December, more than 4 million businesses in the United States, including many in the pool and spa industry, will receive 2012 Economic Census forms from the U.S. Census Bureau. Firms that receive the forms are required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code) to respond by Feb. 12, 2013. Taken every five years, this census asks for basic information such as location, employment, payroll and sales by type of product or service. Businesses, communities and governments use Economic Census statistics for planning and market development. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke has called this census “indispensable to understanding America’s economy.”