Hach’s new DPD Pro test strips are the first NSF Certified dip-and-read strips for public pools. The test results use the DPD method for Total Chlorine and Free Chlorine. In two minutes, users have results for seven key chemistries. “DPD Pro minimizes the number of steps required for testing and eliminates the need for counting…
The National Swimming Pool Foundation’s newest course is a blend of online and in-class work. The Advanced Service Technician Course provides information on equipment installation, maintenance, repair and more. Students must complete seven online courses, a classroom session and pass an examination to receive the AST Certification.
The Master Pools Guild has donated $40,000 to the National Swimming Pool Foundation’s Step Into Swim Campaign, bringing its total donations to the program to $80,000. Step Into Swim provides swim lessons to underprivileged children and adults across the United States.
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals has formed a coalition to help protect the J-1 Summer Work Travel Program, which many pool management companies depend on to open, close and staff commercial swimming pools. The APSP J-1 Coalition, which is made up of 15 companies and associations, will be working with the State Department,…
Pinch A Penny Pool Patio and Spa, a swimming pool retail, service and repair franchise, has added its fourth Texas location in Cypress. It opened three franchises in 2016. “Texas’s large population of pool owners combined with its ideal climate for poolside living makes Pinch A Penny a strong investment opportunity for entrepreneurs and provides…
After 22 years in its previous location, Advantage Manufacturing, Incorporated has moved. Less than two miles from the old facility, the water filtration equipment manufacturer is now located at 616 South Santa Fe Street in Santa Ana, California. “We are delighted to be part of the Santa Ana business community and look forward to sharing…
There is a new joint venture to manufacture and distribute vinyl products between Israel-based Haogenplast Ltd. and Ontario-based Pixiu Solutions in North America. Operating under the name pH Plastics, the joint venture, which is split evenly between the two companies, will be based in Brantford, Ontario. Haogenplast will continue to manufacture vinyl products that Pixiu…
NC Brands, pool and spa chemical manufacturer whose brands include SeaKlear and Natural Chemistry, has hired three to its sales team. Rick Rupert is the regional manager for the mid-Atlantic region. Jimmy McClean is the regional manager over Houston and southeast Texas. Charlie Tuttle is back at NC Brands after moving West and is now…
It’s an old topic but it needs to be revisited — again. Has your service department adopted flat-rate pricing yet? If not, it’s time to seriously consider the conversion. Most contractors have very strong opinions about flat-rate pricing, one way or the other. However, the reality is this: If you have actually sat down and…
The Northeast Spa & Pool Association announced the winners of the 2016 Outstanding Achievement Awards — Builders and Service Competition during a ceremony at The Pool & Spa Show in Atlantic City this January. “Honoring both the best and brightest in building and service makes our competition standout from other awards programs,” says Irene Insignares, president…
Twenty years ago, you used to say to your customers, ‘You can choose whatever color you want as long as it’s white or blue.’ Stick around the industry long enough, and you’ll hear some variation of this. Though there was a time where those were the only two colors available, most pools still seem to…
Photography by Raul Mendoza Along with his family and crew, Miguel Mercado has carefully developed the Dorian Construction Group into the pre-eminent outdoor living design construction company in El Paso, Texas. Primarily, the company handles pool construction, pool refurbishment and transformation, outdoor kitchens, fire pits and ponds. “I started out more than 25 years ago…