Manufacturer
Latham Marks 70 Years with Product Debuts and National Partnership
From Seamless Vinyl Liner Solutions to Popular Plunge Pools, Latham Ushers in Innovation
LATHAM, N.Y. (January 27, 2026) – As it marks 70 years of shaping the backyard experience, Latham Group, Inc. [NASDAQ: SWIM], the largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand, plans to make a splash at the 2026 Pool & Spa Show with a wave of new product introductions and a noteworthy new partnership. From advancements in plunge pools and spas to vinyl pool liners and autocovers, the Latham exhibit will showcase an array of innovative solutions designed to elevate any outdoor space. The company’s milestone anniversary will also be marked by a newly announced partnership as an official sponsor of USA Artistic Swimming (USAAS).
“Our 70th anniversary is both a celebration of how far we’ve come and a statement about where we’re headed,” said Sean Gadd, president and CEO of Latham. “The innovations we’re showcasing at the 2026 Pool & Spa Show reflect our ongoing commitment to delivering smarter, more versatile pool solutions, while our partnership with USA Artistic Swimming reinforces our deep connection to the water-centric lifestyle.”
Partnership with USA Artistic Swimming
United by a commitment to excellence, premium performance and a love of swimming, Latham’s partnership with USAAS aims to inspire families to experience the confidence and joy that come from time in the water. Announced earlier this month, Latham’s sponsorship of USAAS will leverage the company’s national footprint to build awareness of the sport while showcasing the superior design and features of Latham pools. Latham will amplify these messages by sharing the stories of USAAS athletes and how they discovered their love of swimming across its website, social channels and water safety and swimming education initiatives.
“Latham is proud to support USA Artistic Swimming because the sport reflects everything we stand for – precision, performance and a deep love of spending time in and around the water,” Gadd added.
Fiberglass at the Forefront
On the product front, the Latham exhibit (#2619) will feature the brand’s full range of industry-leading outdoor living solutions with fiberglass taking center stage.
Homeowners are increasingly turning to fiberglass pools for their blend of strength, style and minimal upkeep. Made from tightly woven glass fibers encased in durable resin, these shells deliver long-lasting performance while maintaining a polished, modern appearance. Latham’s latest fiberglass offerings, including plunge pools and built-in pool and spa combos, help homeowners bring any backyard vision to life.
In the plunge pool category, there’s no shortage of demand with today’s savvy homeowners seeking versatile, compact solutions to elevate smaller outdoor spaces without compromising functionality. In fact, data from Pkdata indicates that 40% of residential plunge pool builders report a noticeable increase in demand for these products since 2022. Latham is expanding its award-winning plunge pool selection with the addition of two new Milan models. Measuring 8’ x 14’ and 10’ x 20’ respectively, these versatile, fiberglass plunge designs feature swim-up seating and slip resistant steps, delivering compact design and endless enjoyment for even the smallest backyards.
“The surge in plunge pool popularity reflects a growing trend toward resort-style living in a smaller, more efficient footprint. We’re focused on delivering innovations that help professionals bring these compact, high-impact projects to life with ease,” Gadd explained.
Pools with built-in spas are also quickly becoming a top choice for homeowners wanting backyard recreation and relaxation. These integrated designs offer a sense of luxury and sophistication, combining two experiences in a single installation. For these customers, Latham has three new offerings:
- Axiom 12 Deluxe: With fluid design and modern elegance, Axiom 12 is a 12’ x 26’ pool with a built-in spa featuring swim-up seating and multiple points of entry, perfect for soaking up the sun or splashing around the pool.
- Axiom 14 Deluxe: Experience the best of both worlds with the Axiom 14 Deluxe — a 14’ x 30’ spacious evolution of the classic Axiom, blending a full-size pool and built-in spa for endless ways to relax, refresh and reconnect.
- Bermuda 12 Deluxe: Compact in size but rich in features, the 12’ x 26’ Bermuda 12 Deluxe combines a full-sized pool experience with a built-in spa — offering abundant swim-up seating and ample swim space.
Designs Without Borders
Sleek, uninterrupted pool design has gained traction with homeowners looking to elevate both the aesthetics and durability of their pools. This shift reflects a broader desire for clean, contemporary outdoor spaces that feel luxurious and low maintenance. This year, Latham’s proprietary Ultra-Seam® technology, which is commonly used on pool floors, will expand to pool walls to create a virtually seamless design aesthetic. Latham’s Ultra-Seam vinyl liners provide a virtually seam-free appearance and are stronger than standard welded seams on liners. Since the introduction of Ultra-Seam, Latham has produced more than one million liners with this game-changing seamless technology, providing aesthetic and functional benefits.
Also new for 2026, Latham has revamped its collection of vinyl pool liners. Introducing new patterns in its Borderless, Traditional and TrueStone collections, these expanded offerings are tailored for design-savvy homeowners looking to build a pool with colors and patterns that reflect their personal style. New designs include various hues of blues, beiges and greys in a variety of sandstone, marble and destination-inspired patterns.
Additionally, Latham plans to debut two new compact vinyl liner pool spas. Available in round and square options, these 92” models are ideally suited for homeowners with limited outdoor space or for those looking to integrate a spillover spa into their pool. Built with Latham’s gel-coat fiberglass construction, these spas offer added strength, durability and ease of installation.
Autocovers and Accessories
Today’s pool installers are navigating higher expectations from homeowners who demand not only beautiful backyard spaces but enhanced safety and efficiency as well. Latham’s latest solutions help professionals meet these demands – streamlining installation, reducing maintenance and providing essential safety features.
- Next-Generation Touch Pad Controller: Launching this summer, the touch pad controller is designed for convenience and system reliability and supports multiple pin-codes to open and close the cover without having to remember your key. Installers can limit the amperage of the system manually or automatically to protect the mechanism and enhance reliability of the system.
- T4 & Hinged Sliders: The new Hinged Slider features a tab-free design, delivering enhanced performance and reliability, smoother operation and simplified installation for builders. For competitive system conversions, the T4 Slider and End Pulley System Replacement Kit provide a convenient solution to retrofit cable-driven T4 systems with the reliability and performance of a Coverstar system without the need for replacement encapsulation or track.
- Box Perimeter Quick Attach Kit: The new quick attach kit helps make micro-adjustments faster to reduce installation time, improve system reliability and installation accuracy. Compatible with CS3000, Infinity, Eclipse and Atom Mechanism, and works with X1232 BP Encapsulation.
- Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Walk-on Lid Brackets: The New Cast Stainless Steel Brackets are the strongest brackets in the industry and have been optimized to increase stability of your lid stones to provide the utmost protection to your system and your family.
Attendees of the Pool & Spa Show can preview these products (and more) by visiting Latham Pool Products in Booth #2619. For additional information, visit LathamPool.com.
About Latham, the Pool Company
Headquartered in Latham, NY, Latham Group, Inc., is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools and pool accessories in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. With over 60 years of experience and a coast-to-coast operations platform across 24 locations, the company offers a broad range of pool products, including fiberglass, vinyl liner, and automatic safety covers, all designed to provide homeowners with the highest quality and value. For more information, visit www.lathampool.com.
Manufacturer
Pentair Announces Leadership Transition for Pentair Pool
Pentair plc (NYSE: PNR), a leader in helping the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water life’s most essential resource, today announced that Jerome Pedretti, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool, will depart the Company effective July 1, 2026. Pedretti concludes a distinguished career with Pentair spanning more than 20 years.
In connection with Pedretti’s departure, Pentair is eliminating the Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool role. De’Mon Wiggins, current EVP and President, Pentair Flow and Pentair Water Solutions, will assume responsibility for the Pool segment as EVP and President, Pentair Flow, Water Solutions and Pool, effective April 28, 2026. Pedretti will remain with Pentair through his departure date to support an orderly transition.
“Over more than two decades with Pentair, Jerome has made a significant and lasting impact on our Pool and Flow businesses through his leadership, deep expertise, and unwavering commitment to our customers and our culture,” said John Stauch, Pentair President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are truly grateful for Jerome’s many contributions and for his thoughtful partnership in supporting a smooth transition. With De’Mon’s strong track record of execution and strategic leadership, I am confident in the continued momentum of our Pool business and excited about the opportunities ahead.”
CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words “targets,” “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “likely,” “may,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “positioned,” “strategy,” or “future” or words, phrases, or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall global economic and business conditions impacting our business, including the strength of housing and related markets and conditions relating to international hostilities; supply, demand, logistics, competition and pricing pressures related to and in the markets we serve; the ability to achieve the benefits of our restructuring plans, cost reduction initiatives and Transformation Program; the impact of raw material, logistics and labor costs and other inflation; volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates; failure of markets to accept new product introductions and enhancements; the ability to successfully identify, finance, complete and integrate acquisitions; risks associated with operating foreign businesses; the impact of seasonality of sales and weather conditions; our ability to comply with laws and regulations; the impact of changes in laws, regulations and administrative policy, including those that limit U.S. tax benefits or impact trade agreements and tariffs; the outcome of litigation and governmental proceedings; and the ability to achieve our long-term strategic operating and sustainability goals and targets. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. All forward-looking statements, including all financial forecasts, speak only as of the date of this release. Pentair assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update the information contained in this release.
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.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Shelly Hubbard
Vice President, Investor Relations
Direct: 612-812-0148
Email: [email protected]
Manufacturer
Nidec Commercial & Industrial Names New President and CTO
ST. LOUIS, MO – April 28, 2026 – Nidec, a manufacturer of compressors and electric motors and drives used in numerous industries, has announced the promotion of Tim Schamel to President of Nidec Commercial & Industrial. The company has also named Tim Albers as Chief Technology Officer.
The moves come as part of Nidec’s organizational strengthening strategy and with the goal of ensuring greater alignment across all areas of Nidec’s Appliance, Commercial and Industrial Motors (ACIM) business unit.
ACIM is one of Nidec’s largest business units in terms of sales, with approximately 18,000 employees and more than 30 manufacturing sites in 25 countries. ACIM offers a product portfolio that includes compressors, condensing units, and motors for home and commercial appliances, as well as motors and electronic drives for commercial, residential, industrial, and utilities applications.

Tim Schamel previously served as President of Nidec/U.S. MOTORS®. He joined the company in 2016 as Vice President and General Manager of HVAC/R and Appliance Motors. His long career in the industry includes roles at Parker Sporlan and Emerson.

Tim Albers, as Chief Technology Officer for Nidec Commercial & Industrial, brings a wealth of engineering and industry experience to his new role. He previously served as Senior Director of Product Management for 15 years, and prior to that worked for Emerson in marketing and project management.
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
About Nidec ACIM
Nidec Appliance, Commercial and Industrial Motors (ACIM) is a Business Unit of the Appliance and Automotive Division (AAD) composed of two Platforms: Global Appliance (GA) and Commercial & Industrial (C&I). ACIM is one of the largest Business Units in terms of sales inside Nidec Group, with approximately 18,000 employees and more than 30 manufacturing sites in 25 countries. ACIM offers a product portfolio such as compressors, condensing units, and motors for home and commercial appliances, as well as motors and electronic drives for commercial, residential, industrial, and utilities applications. This comprehensive set of solutions is characterized by high standards of quality and energy efficiency that delivers innovation at the service of sustainability.
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
Manufacturer
Soake Pools Partners with Slipstream to Elevate At-Home Wellness
The Leading Precast Plunge Pool Manufacturer Partners with Slipstream to Bring Swim Technology to Its Premium Plunge Pools
Pembroke, N.H. — April 22, 2026 — Soake Pools, the leader in luxury precast plunge pools, announces a new partnership with Slipstream, the first portable swimming machine that transforms any pool into an endless swim lane. This collaboration introduces Slipstream’s advanced drop-in swim current system as a seamless enhancement to Soake Pools’ premium concrete plunge pool offerings, creating a powerful, new option for water fitness at home with space-saving convenience.
Slipstream’s battery-powered, portable system transforms virtually any compatible pool into an active swimming environment with a fully adjustable speed current that is both wide and smooth. The easy, tool-free setup allows users to install or remove the device in seconds, making it a flexible and accessible upgrade for both new and existing pool owners.
The partnership further diversifies Soake Pools’ Fitness & Wellness program by expanding the range of options available to customers beyond the existing Complete Static Swim System. The distinct experiences offered by the Static Swim and Slipstream enhance the versatility of exercise in Soake Pools.
“This partnership allows us to offer our customers an entirely new way to enjoy their Soake Pool,” said Karen Larson, co-founder of Soake Pools. “By integrating Slipstream, we’re expanding the possibilities for water exercise while collaborating with a like-minded company that shares our commitment to helping homeowners create a truly personalized wellness experience at home. After hosting a unit in our Experience Center, it quickly became one of the most popular features for guests to try, reinforcing the strong demand for this type of offering.”
As part of the partnership, Soake customers will receive an exclusive $250 discount on Slipstream systems. Owners and prospective Soake Pools customers can fill out an online form to receive their offer, which can be stacked onto any active sales.
“Recognizing the strong alignment between both brands, we saw an opportunity to bring our fitness capabilities and deliver a differentiated solution to Soake Pools customers,” said James Murdock, Founder of Slipstream. “We’re promoting performance and overall wellness while redefining what’s possible in the at-home pool industry.”
With a shared focus on health and personalized fitness, Soake Pools and Slipstream are bringing the benefits of low-impact exercise and performance swimming to more homeowners than ever before.
To learn more about Soake Pools and Slipstream, please visit soakepools.com and swimslipstream.com.
About Soake Pools: Karen and Brian Larson, Co-Founders of Soake® Pools, created the company from the ground up in 2014, deeming them 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. The team proudly continues its legacy, revolutionizing the industry, offering a steady stream of new dimensions, unparalleled luxury finishes, and a litany of safety, aesthetic, and user-friendly functionalities. Each Soake Pools plunge pool is made to order in New England using state-of-the-art tiles and proprietary concrete, entirely customizable, delivered pre-built and ready to install. Designed to be enjoyed year-round, Soake Pools are equipped with the adjustability for a hot dip in the winter and a cold, refreshing plunge in the summer, and can even provide athletic training with resistance system offerings. Soake Pool’s bespoke, monolithic concrete design offers accessibility in both size and pricing, sustainability in terms of the saltwater contents, lower water usage, and variable speed pumps, offering flexibility with countless physical and mental wellness benefits and, undoubtedly, increased home value.
About Slipstream: Slipstream Swim Machines is redefining the at-home swimming experience with a new generation of portable, high-performance swim technology. Created by James Murdock—the innovator behind Endless Pools—Slipstream represents over 30 years of advancement in swim-in-place systems, delivering a smoother, more natural current in a powerful, easy-to-use design. Engineered for simplicity and versatility, Slipstream’s battery-powered swim machines can be placed in virtually any pool—inground or above-ground—without the need for construction, wiring, or permanent installation. The system creates a consistent, adjustable current suitable for all levels, from beginners and families to competitive swimmers, triathletes, and rehabilitation users. Designed to remove the barriers of traditional swim systems, Slipstream combines portability, quiet operation, and performance in a lightweight format that brings year-round swim training and low-impact aquatic fitness into the home. By eliminating the need for shared lanes, travel to pools, and flip turns, Slipstream enables a continuous swim experience that is both convenient and highly effective. With a commitment to innovation, accessibility, and user-focused design, Slipstream Swim Machines is leading the next evolution of swimming—empowering individuals to train, recover, and enjoy the water on their own terms.
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