New Jersey’s New Licensing Requirements

Beginning July 30, 2019, pool service contractors and pool builders/installers doing projects in the state of New Jersey will have licensing requirements, per a new bill signed into law by New Jersey governor Phil Murphy on January 31. “Through the advocacy efforts of the Northeast Spa & Pool Association, and our PennJersey and Metro NY/NJ Chapters, this…

BioLab Acquires NC Brands

Announced at the end of January, KIK Custom Products Inc., the parent company of BioLab, Inc. (makers of BioGuard and SpaGuard), acquired NC Brands L.P. NC Brands manufactures specialty chemicals and related products for recreational pools and spas in North America and uses naturally-based enzyme technology in pool and spa water care.  “The acquisition of…

Clear Comfort Partners With Carecraft

On February 7, Clear Comfort announced a partnership with Carecraft, a buying group for independent pool and spa professionals. Clear Comfort brings AOP sanitation — which uses hydroxyl radicals for water sanitation — to Carecraft’s member base of builders, retailers and service companies. “We are proud to offer Clear Comfort’s exciting technology to our Members,”…

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Clearon Acquires AquaFinesse

Clearon Corporation, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of trichloroisocyanuric acid and sodium dichloroisocyanurate, has acquired AquaFinesse LLC, the manufacturer of water treatment chemistry that loosens biofilm and prevents its regrowth. AquaFinesse was founded and developed by Jan de Rijk in the Netherlands. His company has sold AquaFinesse in Europe since 2006 and the United…

POOLCORP Acquires W.W. Adcock

Pool Corporation announced last week its acquisition of W.W. Adcock, Inc., a Philadelphia-based distributor of swimming pool equipment, chemicals and supplies, effective January 18, 2019.  W.W. Adcock operates eight sales and distribution centers located in the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf States regions of the U.S. “W.W. Adcock has been one of the premier distributors to the…

APSP and NSPF to Unify as The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

The National Swimming Pool Foundation and the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals announced that the organizations will unify to form the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. The unification was approved by the boards of directors of both organizations at the end of last week and work is underway to finalize the structure of the…

Pamplona Capital Management Acquires Controlling Interest in Latham Pool Products

Pamplona Capital Management Acquires Controlling Interest in Latham Pool Products

Pamplona Capital Management announced December 19th that it has acquired a controlling interest in Latham Pool Products, Inc. from Wynnchurch Capital, which will remain a significant investor in the Company. The deal values Latham at $375 million. Headquartered in Latham, New York, Latham branded product offerings include fiberglass pools, automatic safety covers, in-ground vinyl pool liners,…

Platinum Equity Acquiring Lonza’s Water Care Business

Announced earlier this month, Platinum Equity has entered into an agreement with Lonza to acquire Lonza’s Water Care business and operations for $630 million, including Lonza’s French Water Care business. With headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia, Lonza Water Care has six manufacturing facilities in key regions, including North America, South America, EMEA and South Africa, with…

Clear Comfort Announces New Manifold

Clear Comfort unveiled its first rapid-install manifold made specifically for the CCW100 pool sanitation system. The pool plumbing manifold is designed to  help install Clear Comfort systems faster, easier and more reliably. Clear Comfort pool systems can now use the customized manifolds to directly inject hydroxyl radicals into the pool plumbing and maintain water quality. The…

Pinch A Penny Appoints Chief Development Officer

Swimming pool retail, service and repair franchise, Pinch A Penny Pool Patio and Spa, announced that Michael Arrowsmith has joined the company as chief development officer. With more than 25 years of experience growing franchise brands, Arrowsmith will spearhead Pinch A Penny’s aggressive development efforts in key target markets, including Texas and Georgia, as well as…