Sunlight Saunas Makes 'Hot 100 List'
Sunlight Saunas of Lenexa, Kan., has made Entrepreneur’s Hot 100 List for the third year in a row. This year, the company came in at No. 92. The sauna distributor also was honored by Ingram’s magazine as Kansas City’s Fastest-Growing Company for 2005. “I am so pleased that our company is growing so fast that we are outpacing even ourselves!” said Connie Zack, owner and chief sales officer of Sunlight Saunas. “And I feel truly honored to be one of only nine women featured on the prestigious list.” The Hot 100 List tracks the fastest-growing new businesses in America. To be included on the list, companies must have been established no earlier than 2000, have less than 1,000 employees, and have exceeded sales of $1 million.”
NSPF Teams Up With President's Council
The National Swimming Pool Foundation of Colorado Springs, Colo., has partnered with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports as a “50th Anniversary Partner to Get America Moving!” Through the partnership, the two organizations will jointly promote physical activity, fitness and sports throughout 2006, as the council celebrates its golden anniversary. Tom Lachocki, NSPF’s CEO, intends to help raise awareness of the health benefits of aquatic exercise through the “Everyone in the Water” campaign. In addition, NSPF has announced that the World Aquatic Health Conference is slated for Sept. 19-21 in Austin, Texas. For the first time, the scientific conference’s seminars will be available on the Web. A complete conference package can be downloaded at www.nspf.org.
Jacuzzi Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Jacuzzi Hot Tubs is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first portable hydrotherapy pump, the J-300, invented in 1956 by the Jacuzzi brothers. The Chino, Calif.-based manufacturer is running a promotion from May to September to commemorate the event. The company will be giving away 50 prizes, including a 1956 classic convertible car and an Italian spa tour. Details on how to obtain “scratch and match” contest cards can be found by visiting www.jacuzzi50.com.
Region 10 Show Postponed Indefinitely
The 2007 Southeastern Pool & Spa Show has been postponed indefinitely due to complications arising from Region 10’s reincorporation into the national body of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. As of July 1, the Region 10 Board of Directors, along with the corporation that owns the show, will be dissolved to pursue the APSP Regional Service Center Initiative. Usually held in January or February, the 2007 trade event is being cancelled until show organizers and the region’s board members can work through the “legal logistics” of reintegration.
Astral Expands Into Asia
In early May, AstralPool launched its Astral India division in Chennai, the fourth largest city in India. Pere Ballart, AstralPool International’s corporate manager, officially unveiled the new headquarters. “Chennai, being a port city, offers us a unique advantage of being able to export our manufactured products without any hitch,” said Abe Abraham, CEO of Astral India. The city also has an industrial climate and strong infrastructure, Abraham said. Astral India plans to establish a pump manufacturing unit in Coimbatore by the end of 2006 and will launch Kolkata operations in a few months. Barcelona, Spain-based AstralPool manufactures/distributes pool systems and equipment in more than 30 countries.
