Industry News
Insights of the Pool & Hot Tub Industry

The pool, spa, and hot tub industry has returned to pre-pandemic norms, albeit in a more volatile economy, during a presidential year. As the road sign cautions drivers “Bumpy Road Ahead,” does that same road sign also apply to day-to-day business operations? The recently published Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) 2024 Business Operations Survey Report shares some key findings collected from nearly 500 survey participants earlier this year.
Overall Sales Growth
The industry overall saw a sales growth of 7% in 2023, with service, maintenance, and repair companies seeing the most growth at 12%. Conversely, the retail sector experienced an 8% decrease. Retail companies appear to be the hardest hit by the return to pre-pandemic sales numbers as more people are back to traveling for their vacations now. All sectors—retail, service, and build—are optimistic about sales growth in 2024, projecting a 9% increase for the industry by the end of the year.
New Pool Construction
Gunite was by far the most popular pool material in 2023, making up nearly 60% of new pool construction. The second most popular was vinyl with a steel wall, which made up 15% of new construction, followed closely by fiberglass at 13%. There was also a slight increase in the number of aboveground pools sold from 2022 to 2023.
The average number of new pools sold decreased considerably for build, design, and remodel companies, dropping from an average of 145 in 2022 to 78 in 2023. This is partially due to the fact that there was such a large project backlog from 2020 and 2021 that carried new work into 2022, but that backlog has started to clear out. Nearly half of all large builders ($2 million or more in sales) reported a decrease in project backlog in 2023.
The revenue per new pool sold also decreased, from an average of $117,016 to $110,204. Part of the change in revenue can be explained by a correction to the supply chain. During the pandemic, supply chain issues caused prices to rise, which pool builders often passed on to their customers. Now that supply-and-demand has returned to more normal levels, prices have decreased and pool builders have been able to lower their rates again, which is good news for consumers.
Hot Tub Sales
Hot tubs continue to be popular with consumers, with the average number of units sold by retailers increasing from 380 in 2022 to 444 in 2023. The average revenue per unit also increased slightly, from $9,678 to $11,627. Retailers were able to deliver hot tubs to the buyers in a more timely manner in 2023 compared to the previous year, with over 92% of units sold in 2023 delivered during the year purchased. As with builders, more than half of retailers saw a decrease in backlog in 2023 compared to 2022.
Service Calls
Service, maintenance, and repair companies performed an average of 1,100 calls in 2023, which is nearly double the number from 2022. With so many new pools built between 2020 and 2022, it only makes sense that all of those pools would need regular service and maintenance. Service, maintenance, and repair companies had an average revenue per service call of $702, a slight decrease from $746 in 2022.
The service sector enjoyed increased customer loyalty in 2023, with a maintenance agreement retention rate of 93.9% compared to just 89% in 2022.
Conclusion
Although many of us in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry dreamed of the pandemic boom lasting forever, we have all come back down to Earth and a new reality. This means different things for different sectors—the backlog for builders is returning to a manageable level, which puts less stress on the employees, while all of the new pool owners from the past three years are eagerly looking for service and maintenance professionals to help them keep their pool an enjoyable space to be. Although retailers struggled a bit in 2023, they are staying positive and expect to bounce back.
Interested in additional industry trends? PHTA produces a wide range of quarterly, annual, and biannual reports to help business owners and industry stakeholders keep track of current trends and where they are headed. Learn more at phta.org/research. To become a member of PHTA and receive discounted pricing on all reports, visit phta.org/join.
Industry News
Pentair Names Josh Cowley Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Pentair Pool

London, United Kingdom – October 19, 2026 – Pentair plc (NYSE: PNR), a leader in helping the world sustainably move, improve and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource, today announced that it has named Josh Cowley as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool, effective November 9, 2026. Mr. Crowley will report to De’Mon Wiggins, Executive Vice President and President, Pentair Flow, Water Solutions and Pool.
“Josh brings deep pool industry knowledge, a strong understanding of our customers and a proven ability to turn strategy into action,” said John L. Stauch, Pentair President and Chief Executive Officer. “His successful commercial and operating track record, coupled with his business acumen and leadership experience, will help build on the strength of our Pool business, enhance customer relationships and position Pentair Pool for long-term growth. We are pleased to welcome him to Pentair.”
Cowley brings more than 25 years of leadership experience and a successful track record of scaling businesses, building teams and strengthening channel partnerships. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of May Manufacturing, a leading hot tub and swim spa manufacturer, where he led the company through a significant phase of growth by establishing a customer centric culture with focused strategic priorities, expanding customer relationships, building a solid leadership team, and improved overall financial performance.
Prior to that, Cowley served as Chief Commercial Officer of Latham Group, the largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand, where he led global sales, customer service, product and channel management, and brand marketing. Earlier in his career, from 2005 to 2021, he held several senior leadership roles at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., including President and General Manager of North America Retail Sales & Marketing. Cowley earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
About Pentair plc
At Pentair, we help the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and commercial water solutions, to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is a core large cap value S&P 500 equity stock focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.
Pentair had revenue in 2025 of approximately $4.2 billion, and trades under the ticker symbol PNR. With approximately 9,000 global employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, we work to help improve lives and the environment around the world. To learn more, visit www.pentair.com.
PENTAIR CONTACTS:
Jeff Thompson
Investor Relations
Direct: 763-656-5527
Email: [email protected]
Rebecca Osborn
Corporate Communications
Direct: 763-656-5589
Email: [email protected]
Industry News
Hayward Holdings Names New Chief Accounting Officer

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) (“Hayward” or the “Company”), a leading global pool and outdoor living technology company, today announced the appointment of Jared Arrowood as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, effective immediately. As principal accounting officer, Arrowood will oversee the Company’s global financial reporting, tax, operational finance and technical accounting functions.
“Jared’s experience as a financial executive for publicly traded global organizations and his deep understanding of our business make him exceptionally well suited for this role,” said Eifion Jones, Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. “I am confident his technical expertise, leadership and business perspective will continue to strengthen our finance organization and support long-term value creation for shareholders.”
Arrowood will continue to report to Jones as part of his financial leadership team.
Arrowood joined Hayward in 2023 as Assistant Corporate Controller and was promoted to Vice President, Corporate Controller in 2024. He has helped strengthen the Company’s financial processes, controls and continuous improvement efforts across the global controllership organization. Prior to Hayward, Arrowood spent 17 years at SPX FLOW, including serving as Vice President of Finance for its Mixing Solutions division.
He holds a Master of Accounting from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School and a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is a certified public accountant.
About Hayward Holdings, Inc.
Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) is a leading global specialty water management company focused on designing and manufacturing pool and outdoor living technology and industrial flow control products. Driven by a mission to transform the experience of water, Hayward offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy‑efficient and sustainable pool equipment—including pumps, heaters, sanitizers, filters, LED lighting, water features, and cleaners—integrated through its intuitive, IoT‑enabled SmartPad™ platform. The Company also provides industrial thermoplastic valves and process control products serving a wide range of applications.
Investor Relations Contact:
Kevin Maczka
[email protected]
Media Relations Contact:
Misty Zelent
[email protected]
Industry News
Watershape University Announces Fall 2026 Session in San Diego

WU’s three-day program brings together leading watershape industry educators and professionals for advanced training in construction, design, business, and technology
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Watershape University (WU) has announced its Fall 2026 Session, a three-day educational event designed to provide watershape professionals with practical, advanced instruction in construction, design, business management, and emerging technologies.
The event will take place December 2–4, 2026, at UCSD Park and Market in downtown San Diego, bringing together hundreds of professionals from across the pool, spa, aquatic, and outdoor-living industries. The Fall Session features seven courses, offering a combination of foundational and advanced education, along with opportunities for professional networking and industry engagement.

“Watershape University’s Fall Session is designed around the real-world challenges facing today’s watershape professionals,” said David J. Peterson, P.E., President/CEO of Watershape Consulting and Watershape University co-founder and instructor. “The program brings together some of the most experienced educators and practitioners in the industry and enables attendees to deepen their technical knowledge while gaining practical tools they can immediately apply to their businesses and projects.”
Education Across the Watershape Profession
The Fall Session opens December 2 with four full-day courses addressing essential construction practices, shotcrete quality, business administration, and sales and marketing.
CONSTRUCTION 2111: Essential Pool Construction, taught by Benjamin Lasseter and William Drakeley, provides a comprehensive examination of the disciplines and processes involved in building quality watershapes. Topics include geotechnical, hydraulic, structural and electrical considerations, project layout, form construction, shotcrete, waterproofing, tile and coping, decking, finishes, start-up procedures, and project completion. The course provides 24 hours of instruction and 2.4 CEUs.
CONSTRUCTION 2241: ASA Quality Shotcrete, presented by Charles Hanskat of the American Shotcrete Association, focuses on the critical elements required to evaluate shotcrete placement and achieve a durable concrete pool shell. Attendees examine materials, equipment, placement techniques, finishing, curing, testing, protection, and jobsite safety. The course provides eight hours of instruction and 0.8 CEUs.
For business owners and managers, BUSINESS 1611: Essential Business Administration Workshop, taught by Chris Volk and Julie Kazdin, addresses the operational issues that affect construction, service and retail companies. The curriculum includes contracts, insurance, liability, human resources, company culture, hiring and retention, marketing, sales and strategies for sustainable growth.
BUSINESS 2323: Principles of Sales & Marketing for Pool Companies, presented by Dane Wiseman and Brett Abbott, examines brand positioning, lead generation, digital and traditional marketing, website conversion, marketing automation, customer-relationship management, sales psychology, online reputation, referrals and measurement of marketing performance. The course also explores practical applications of artificial intelligence in sales and marketing.
Advanced Training for Experienced Professionals
The second day of the Fall Session introduces a series of advanced two-day programs.
CONSTRUCTION 4112: Advanced Watershape Construction – Residential, taught by David J. Peterson, P.E., and Paolo Benedetti, explores complex residential watershape construction, including vanishing and slot edges, moveable floors, advanced automatic covers, glass tile, difficult sites, soil stabilization, pier and beam foundations, advanced forming, water-treatment and automation systems. The course also addresses architecturally integrated watershapes, acrylic windows, fire elements and innovative aesthetic details.
CONSTRUCTION 2622: Outdoor Finish Material Science, presented by Jason Brownlee, examines the properties and performance of natural stone, wood, tile, brick, concrete, metals, cementitious finishes and softscape materials. The course focuses on texture, moisture behavior, thermal movement, durability, surface performance, material selection and installation practices intended to reduce failure and improve long-term performance.
The session also introduces DESIGN 3121: Essential Revit for Watershapers, taught by Richard Kremer and Conor Rodriguez of Watershape Consulting. The two-day course provides watershaping professionals with instruction in Revit, an increasingly important tool for digital design and project documentation.
Professional Development and Certification
Several Fall Session courses contribute directly toward Watershape University professional certification pathways. Essential Pool Construction counts toward the Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF) credential, while Essential Business Administration and Essential Revit contribute to the Certified Watershape Builder (CWB) pathway. Advanced Watershape Construction – Residential contributes toward the Certified Watershape Professional (CWP)pathway, and ASA Quality Shotcrete is part of the Certified Watershape Shotcrete Specialist (CWSS) program.
WU’s certification programs are designed to establish structured educational progression for watershape professionals, combining technical, business, design and construction disciplines.
“Professional education is fundamental to raising the standard of the entire watershape industry,” said Julie Kazdin, Watershape University’s Vice President of Operations and Dean of Business. “The Fall Session gives professionals at different stages of their careers access to concentrated, high-level instruction while creating an environment where they can exchange ideas and build relationships with peers from across the country.”
More Than the Classroom
In addition to classroom instruction, the Fall Session will include opportunities for attendees to connect with fellow professionals, instructors and industry leaders. An IWI Dinner Cruise is scheduled for the evening of December 2, followed by an industry tailgate gathering on December 3.
The Fall Session will be held at UCSD Park and Market, 1100 Market St., San Diego, California. Registration and complete course information are available through Watershape University.
Register for Watershape University’s Fall 2026 Education Session
About Watershape University
Watershape University is an educational organization dedicated to advancing professionalism throughout the watershape industry through comprehensive education, professional development and certification. WU provides instruction in business, design, engineering, construction and related disciplines for professionals working across the pool, spa, aquatic and outdoor-living sectors.
For more information, visit Watershape University or contact the organization at 858-788-9998 or [email protected].
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