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Beyond the Backyard: Innovation Powered by People

Published

2 months ago

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Smart and sustainable. That’s the continued focus at Pentair Pool, where innovation doesn’t start in a lab or end at a product launch. It starts with people — listening to them, learning from them, and designing solutions that make their lives easier, better, and more connected. That belief is deeply embedded in how we innovate.

For Christine Richardson, Chief Technology Officer at Pentair Pool, innovation is all about building meaningful, intuitive experiences rooted in real-world needs. From connected products to factory-floor execution, her work ensures that Pentair technology delivers value not just through performance, but through trust, ease, and long-term partnership.

“I’m the Chief Technology Officer, so I’m responsible for technology development — everything from innovation to new product development and introduction into the factories, our IoT development, our connected products, and our sustaining engineering teams who support our factories,” Richardson explains.

That scope is broad by design. At Pentair, innovation isn’t a silo… it’s a system.

Rooted in One Customer, Focused on Real Impact

Richardson’s path to Pentair was shaped by a desire to dive deeper. The pool industry was a natural fit for that vision. After working in a central engineering group that supported vastly different industries including “everything from fast food restaurants to nuclear power plants,” she was drawn to Pentair’s opportunity to focus on one ecosystem.

 “I was really excited to be able to focus in on one customer,” she says, “and to be a real partner to the business from a technology standpoint.”

And, on a much more personal note, Richardson notes that there’s a very human element to her role.

“Everybody says this, but family really is the most important thing,” Richardson says. “Pools offer a way for families to connect and have great memories. I get excited about it because… Well, everybody kind of knows our products without actually knowing us.”

That familiarity brings responsibility, and the Pentair Pool team takes it seriously.

Innovation You Don’t Have to Think About

While pools may seem simple from the outside, Richardson is quick to point out how technologically advanced the industry has become. The challenge isn’t just creating new features. The bigger challenge is making innovation feel effortless.

“It’s all about creating that holistic experience for the end user, where it’s so intuitive that they don’t even have to reflect on how innovative it is,” she says. “I don’t know if you’re familiar with the term poka-yoke, but it’s all about making sure there’s one right way to do it and that it’s easy to do. That’s where innovation stems from, a strong technology roadmap that’s focused on providing the best and easiest experience for the customer.”

That philosophy guides everything from industrial design to user experience. The goal isn’t complexity — it’s clarity. And true innovation, Richardson notes, is measured by how well it’s adopted.

“Innovation is only as good as the market acceptance,” she says. “Which means it’s especially important to make sure we’re working on the right things and really solving customer pain points.”

People-Powered Technology, Built on Trust

Though pools can be attention grabbing and innovative with the right products, the real lifeblood of the industry is the professionals who make the pool experience possible every day. Pentair’s innovation strategy is designed to empower pool pros, giving them the tools and confidence to be heroes for their customers.

“A big piece of that is enabling our customers — the servicers who are in backyards every day — to be able to remote monitor customer pool pads and know exactly what the problem is and what they need on their truck in order to solve it,” Richardson says.

That shift supports a more effortless pool ownership experience, a more streamlined servicing experience, and strengthened trust across the entire ecosystem.

“The servicer has to have the trust in us to make sure that they’re getting the information that they need,” she says. “That comes full circle to being able to have those worry-free pools.”

It’s a people-powered loop: homeowners trust their servicers, servicers trust Pentair, and Pentair designs technology that supports both.

Pentair Pool pros standing in front of swimming pool controls in a learning setting.

Leading Through Experience and Community

So why should pool pros trust Pentair?

 “We’re the leader in the industry,” Richardson says. “We have so much equipment out in the field, and we’re using and leveraging that knowledge to make sure that we have the best products on the market.”

That leadership doesn’t end with products, though. There’s also a major focus on education and support through Pentair Pool University, customer service, and decades of real-world insight.

Much of Pentair’s innovation happens quietly. But its impact is felt every day, in backyards, neighborhoods, and communities around the world.

“It’s so much of the tinkering that you don’t see that makes Pentair special.”

Beyond the Backyard, Into the Future

As Pentair looks ahead, the path forward is clear: innovation grounded in empathy, powered by people, and focused on making life easier for the communities we serve.

Beyond the backyard is where our products live, but beyond expectations is where our innovation thrives.

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Susie Cuebas is a freelance content marketer and writer for Pool Magazine, where she brings her deep industry knowledge and creative storytelling to life. With over a decade of experience in the pool and spa industry — including past work with brands like Jandy®, CMP®, and Grand Effects® — Susie specializes in crafting engaging editorial that connects with pros, builders, and designers alike.

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RENOLIT Unveils 2026 Art of Pools Catalog

A New Vision for Contemporary Pool Design

Published

3 weeks ago

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March 17, 2026

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RENOLIT has launched its highly anticipated 2026 edition of the Art of Pools catalog, a premium showcase of the company’s reinforced PVC pool membranes, ceramic-inspired surfaces, and integrated decking solutions for modern swimming pool design.

Spanning more than 175 pages of world-class photography, the catalog draws inspiration from stunning pool installations across the globe, highlighting how RENOLIT’s complete waterproofing systems bring together aesthetics, durability, and architectural integration in a single, cohesive solution.

This new edition reflects an evolved design vision — one that speaks directly to architects, designers, builders, and discerning homeowners seeking both beauty and performance in aquatic environments. From sleek contemporary finishes to richly textured ceramic-inspired surfaces, the catalog demonstrates the full breadth of RENOLIT’s design capabilities.

The 2026 Art of Pools catalog is available now for immediate viewing online:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/dpzsu/zfex/ and can be downloaded at https://renolit-alkorplan.com/the-art-of-pool.

Printed copies are also available upon request.

Phone number: (219) 324-6886
Location: LaPorte, Indiana

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Manufacturer

B Squared Pools Offers Waterfall Sun Ledge for Pools

Published

1 month ago

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March 9, 2026

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B Squared Pools is pleased to offer pool builders a polypropylene constructed sun ledge kit that can be added to any swimming pool. Made of lightweight, energy-efficient, and structurally superior material, the new sun ledge has an independent, free-standing design with a built-in waterfall edge. Fast and easy to install without having to renovate the pool, it offers a weather-resistant finish with a spacious, tanning-ready ledge. This product is a panel-based system that eliminates metal fasteners and resists rust, corrosion, and freeze-thaw damage. The polypropylene panels provide an internal grid structure for added wall strength and built-in insulation through its sealed chambers for added thermal efficiency. Made in the USA and available for immediate shipment.

www.BSquaredPools.com
419-708-5225

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Manufacturer

Pentair Expands Step Into Swim Partnership

Published

1 month ago

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February 27, 2026

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At Pentair Pool, safety isn’t a box we check. It’s a pillar of who we are and how we show up for the communities we serve. 

Water brings people together. It fuels connection, wellness, and unforgettable moments with family and friends. But those moments can only happen when safety comes first. That belief is what continues to drive our partnership with Step Into Swim, and why, for the third year in a row, Pentair Pool is proud to invest in expanding access to lifesaving swim education. 

Safety Starts With Education In and Out of the Water

Learning to swim is more than a skill; it’s a foundation for confidence, independence, and long-term safety. Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), focuses on removing barriers to swim education, helping children build essential water safety skills early. For Pentair Pool, this partnership aligns directly with our broader mission to help people safely and sustainably enjoy water. We believe that the safest pool experience doesn’t start with equipment alone… It starts with education, awareness, and access.

“Everyone’s journey should start with a safe introduction to the water,” says Greg Claffey, President of Pentair Pool, who serves on the PHTA Board of Directors. “This partnership lets us give back to our communities in a meaningful way — by supporting local families through helping future swimmers learn the skills that keep them safe in and around the water.”

Turning Commitment Into Action

This year, Pentair Pool committed $100,000 as a Diamond Level  sponsor to further support Step Into Swim’s mission. That investment helps fund swim lessons for thousands of children, expanding access to programs that teach foundational water safety skills — especially in communities where opportunities to learn to swim may otherwise be limited. 

Our involvement with Step Into Swim is one part of a much larger, long-standing commitment. For more than a decade, Pentair Pool has supported National Water Safety Month, using our platform to elevate awareness around drowning prevention and safe pool practices. 

Together, these efforts reinforce a simple truth: awareness saves lives, but education sustains them.

Why Training Matters at Every Level

Advancing water safety doesn’t stop with swim lessons. It also depends on knowledgeable, well-trained pool professionals who design, install, and maintain aquatic environments every day. That’s why Pentair Pool invests heavily in professional education and training, equipping pool pros with the expertise they need to help create safer pool experiences for homeowners, facilities, and communities. Through our robust professional support resources like Pentair Pool University and on-demand webinars, Pentair provides ongoing education, technical guidance, and hands-on learning to reinforce best practices across the industry. 

Our goal is to ensure that safety knowledge evolves alongside technology, standards, and real-world application. When pool professionals are confident and informed, everyone benefits.

Building a Safer Future Together

Partnerships like Step Into Swim matter because they reflect a shared responsibility. Manufacturers, pool professionals, parents, educators, and community leaders all play a role in improving water safety outcomes.

By investing in swim education, supporting professional training, and consistently advocating for safety awareness, Pentair Pool is helping to create a future where water is something everyone can safely and sustainably enjoy.

We’re proud to stand alongside Step Into Swim and the broader pool and spa industry in advancing safety education one lesson, one professional, and one community at a time.

About Pentair Pool 

At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and business solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.     

As an industry leader in the pool and spa space, Pentair Pool is driven to help people sustainably enjoy water. Our solutions include industry-leading pumps, automation, lighting, heating, and filtration technology that help our customers enjoy a smarter and more sustainable pool. Customer success is at the heart of our vision for bringing family and friends together in the pool and on the deck to build social connections, create lifelong memories, and help promote fitness and enjoyment. For more information, visit www.pentairpool.com.   

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