Manufacturer
Beyond the Backyard: Innovation Powered by People
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.
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.
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
New territory managers, production leadership, and operations support reinforce the plunge pool manufacturer’s white-glove service as demand grows across U.S. markets
Pembroke, N.H. — October 2026 — Soake Pools, the New England manufacturer that pioneered the made-to-order precast concrete plunge pool, has added four team members to support its growth into new regional markets. The hires span sales, production leadership, and operations, positioning the team to scale with rising national demand for its hand-tiled pools, without sacrificing service or quality.
New appointments include:
- Kerry Covington, Pacific Northwest Territory Manager—Based in Oregon, Covington is Soake Pools’ first territory manager to live and work in the Pacific Northwest, offering on-the-ground support. With more than a decade of experience in high-end remodeling and landscape design for luxury residential construction, he will help Pacific Northwest homeowners translate plunge pool concepts into thoughtfully planned additions tailored to their homes and landscapes.
- Brooke Fine, MA South Shore, Cape Cod & Islands Territory Manager—Also based in territory and a Soake Pools customer herself, Fine brings both local knowledge and firsthand experience with the brand to the role. With a personal understanding of how a Soake Pool can enhance wellness, relaxation and outdoor living, she will provide dedicated in-territory support to homeowners across the Massachusetts South Shore, Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
- Eric Bailey, General Manager—At the company’s Pembroke production facility, Bailey will oversee manufacturing with 22 years of precast concrete experience. As a born-and-raised New Hampshire resident with a career built on quality and customer service, Bailey embodies the values Soake Pools has built its reputation on.
- Katherine Fillon, Accounts Receivable—Lifelong New Englander Fillon rounds out the company’s administrative team, supporting a seamless experience between Soake Pools’ customers, partners and collaborators.
The news follows Soake Pools’ recognition as one of Business NH Magazine’s 2026 Best Companies to Work For in New Hampshire, where the company earned the No. 11 spot after a rigorous evaluation that included employer and team surveys, site visits, and employee focus groups. As it grows its team, the locally owned, family-run company stays anchored to the same standards that earned this honor.
About Soake Pools: Co-founded by Karen and Brian Larson in 2014, Soake® Pools disrupted the industry as the first company to offer hand-tiled precast concrete plunge pools for the home. Today, Soake Pools is the leading prefabricated plunge pool manufacturer in North America, designing luxury, space-saving pools for year-round use and enjoyment. At Soake Pool’s New England facility, its plunge pools are made to order in a controlled environment using proprietary concrete and state-of-the-art tile, continually setting the standard with new dimensions, luxury finishes, and innovations in quality control, safety and usability with impressive turnaround timelines. Fully customizable and delivered ready to install, each Soake Pool is equipped for hot dips in the winter and cooling soaks in the summer, with cold plunge and resistance system offerings that support athletic recovery and enhance at-home wellness routines. The monolithic concrete design offers accessibility in size and pricing, while saltwater filtration, low water usage, and variable speed pumps support sustainability, require less maintenance, and lower costs. Delivering backyard luxury retreats with demonstrated ROI in home value, Soake Pools offer countless physical and mental wellness benefits at a fraction of the footprint and expense of a traditional pool.
CCEI is pleased to announce Benoit Masse as the company’s new Sales Director for Canada. Masse has over 35 years of experience in the pool industry, including 20 years at Hayward, which has given him the opportunity to develop true expertise in everything from technical service, commercial pool construction, as well as a deep understanding of distribution.
“Benoit brings CCEI in-depth industry knowledge which will be tremendously important as he supports our customers and partners across Canada,” says Martin Grenier, VP of CCEI’s North American operations. Benoit can be reached at [email protected].
www.ccei-pool.com/us/
424-800-2191
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