CEO Cindi Heyen discusses building and sustaining a family manufacturing legacy exploring succession, operational complexity, and long-term growth strategies for family-owned manufacturers

JED Pool Tools is pleased to announce it was selected and featured on the newest episode of Growing Up B2B, a podcast for leaders of family-owned B2B businesses. Host Ed Delia sat down with Cindi Heyen, President and CEO of JED Pool Tools and Northeastern Plastics, Inc., to discuss what it truly takes to evolve a family manufacturing company across generations without sacrificing the grit, values and work ethic that made the company successful in the first place.

In the episode, Cindi shares how her father built a small injection molding company after losing his job, and how she and her husband Alan took over in 1989, eventually acquiring the business in 2005. The conversation covers their engineering backgrounds, the acquisition of Northeastern Plastics, managing seasonality, implementing ERP systems, and navigating Alan’s health challenges. Cindi also discusses integrating her two sons into the business and her vision for simplification, succession, and long-term growth.

“We are thrilled to share our family’s story with the world, especially other B2B family businesses who likely see parallels with their own experiences,” says Rob Heyen, Sales Manager and son of Cindi and Alan Heyen.  In the episode, Cindi shares a story many business owners will recognize from family members stepping in to help, the constant balancing act between tradition and innovation, operational complexities, succession, and the systems required to keep moving forward.

To listen to the full podcast visit:

Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eYaAxC6a
Listen to the full episode on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/esQzSdZR

About JED Pool Tools
JED Pool Tools has been making high-quality pool tools and pool accessories in the USA for over 30 years. JED Pool Tools sells over 400 different products including residential and commercial skimmers, leaf rakes, poles, wall brushes and vacuum heads as well as hoses and through-wall skimmer parts. JED is a family-run company with three generations of Heyen family working for the company and is committed to creating and providing jobs for residents of Scranton, PA. JED is proud of and committed to manufacturing in the USA, many it its own facility in Scranton, PA. To learn more about the company and its products visit www.JEDPoolTools.com.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (November 2, 2026) – Haviland Pool & Spa today announced a $26 million investment in a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Indiana to support the company’s continued growth. The facility will be operated as Aegis USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Haviland Pool & Spa. The name comes from the aegis, the shield of protection in Greek mythology, and reflects the facility’s focus on safety.

The 50,000-square-foot facility will be dedicated to the manufacturing and packaging of chlorinated pool chemicals, with core operations encompassing tableting, pouching, filling and finished-goods packaging. The facility is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2027.

“Aegis USA raises the bar for our entire industry,” said Meg Post, President and CEO of Haviland Enterprises. “Every part of this facility was designed around the safe handling of chlorine-based chemistries, and we believe it will set the new standard for pool chemical manufacturing in the United States. We’re proud to lead the way.”

The project continues a multi-year investment strategy focused on strengthening Haviland’s capabilities across research, product development and manufacturing. In 2024, Haviland announced a $7 million, 11,000-square-foot flagship laboratory in Grand Rapids, which became fully operational in April 2025 and expanded the company’s product development, formulation and technical capabilities. The $26 million Indiana facility represents the next major step in that strategy.The new facility will feature tableting presses, packaging lines, advanced automation equipment and dedicated material storage. Designed specifically for oxidizing chemistries, the facility will incorporate modern engineering controls and safety systems throughout its manufacturing, storage and packaging operations.

“For our team, this is an opportunity to build an operation specifically around the needs of the customers we serve,” said Brian Schoen, Vice President of Haviland Pool & Spa. “The combination of new equipment, automation and a purpose-built facility will give us greater flexibility and strengthen our ability to meet customer needs as we continue to grow.”

With the addition of the Indiana facility, Haviland will operate seven locations across four states, including three facilities in Grand Rapids, Michigan and operations in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Cincinnati, Ohio; Phoenix, Arizona; and now Indiana. The growing footprint supports Haviland’s manufacturing, distribution and customer-service capabilities across the business.

About Haviland Pool & Spa
Haviland Pool & Spa is a division of Haviland Enterprises, Inc. that manufactures water treatment products for the pool and spa industry. The company produces eight house brands, including ProTeam, SpaPure and Durachlor, and provides private-label products for nationally recognized pool centers.

Haviland Enterprises is a 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), giving its employees a direct stake in the long-term success of the company and its customers. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Haviland combines the personal service and culture of an employee-owned business with the capabilities to serve customers across the pool and spa, wastewater treatment, surface finishing, commodity distribution, and contract manufacturing industries. For more information, visit www.havilandusa.com.

ST. LOUIS, MO – October 21, 2026 – Nidec, a manufacturer of electric motors and drives, has announced the promotion of Atticus Edge to National Account Manager for the pool and spa industry.
 
In his new role, Edge is responsible for the Pool/Aftermarket Motor business, managing Nidec’s U.S. MOTORS® network of sales representatives and supporting key national pool supplier accounts. He works closely with customers and sales partners to drive growth and deliver strong support across the pool aftermarket channel. 
 
Edge joined Nidec two years ago, serving in various engineering roles. Most recently, he supported the Variable speed and Neptune® motor platforms as a mechanical engineer, where he developed strong technical expertise and product knowledge. 
 
“As pool pumps and motors become more complex, pool service professionals often need expert guidance in selecting and programming pump motors,” said Steve O’Brien, National Sales Director at Nidec. “Atticus is already proving himself in this role as he applies his education and knowledge to benefit pool service professionals and distributors.”
 
Variable speed motors are now required by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for most pool applications, including replacement motors. Nidec’s Neptune line of pool pump motors offers energy savings plus the ability to replace only the failed motor, rather than the entire pump. 
 
With these technical advantages, Edge said the Neptune line has become a popular replacement motor for the pool industry. “We’re pleased to be able to offer service reps, and in turn their pool customers, these high-efficiency motors that meet or exceed DOE regulations.” 
 
Prior to joining Nidec, Edge worked for Spec-Tech Industrial Electric as an assembly and testing tech. He also completed an internship at Neff Power. Edge holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Saint Louis University. 
 
About Nidec 
 
Nidec Corporation is the world’s No.1 comprehensive motor manufacturer. Based in Kyoto, Japan, Nidec Corporation offers motors ranging from micro-size to super large, as well as application products and services in IT, automation, home appliances, automobiles, commercial and industrial systems, environmental, energy, and many other businesses. Nidec is comprised of approximately 340 companies employing more than 110,000 people all over the world. Nidec.com
 
The U.S. MOTORS® brand of Nidec Motor Corporation encompasses a complete line of general and special purpose commercial and industrial motors from 1/3 horsepower through 4000 horsepower for a wide variety of applications. Since 1908, the U.S. MOTORS brand has stood for exceptional product reliability and performance. It is one of the oldest and most trusted brands in the motor industry and is recognized worldwide as the mark of leadership and technological innovation. USMotors.com