12 winning projects highlight spaces for relaxation, resort-inspired features and safety integrated into backyard design

LATHAM, N.Y. (November 10, 2026) — Latham Group, Inc. [NASDAQ: SWIM], the largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand, today announced the winners of its 2026 Photo Contest, spotlighting 12 standout backyard pools built by Latham dealers across the United States and Canada this year.

Open to Latham’s North American network of experienced installers, submissions were collected across four categories – fiberglass pools, vinyl liner pools, Coverstar automatic safety covers and winter safety covers. The contest drew entries from builders eager to showcase their finest work.

“This year’s Latham Photo Contest winners show what’s possible when a homeowner’s vision comes together with thoughtful design, quality products and the expertise of a trusted dealer,” said Sean Gadd, President and CEO of Latham. “From spaces designed for quiet relaxation to backyards built for entertaining, these projects reflect the many ways a pool can transform how families enjoy their homes.”

2026 Latham Photo Contest Winners
This year’s 12 winning projects showcase the range of possibilities available through Latham’s portfolio of pools, liners and covers. The winners are:

Fiberglass Pools

• First Place: Remington LeisureScapes – Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
• Second Place: Boyer Mountain Pool – Cashmere, Washington
• Third Place: Brooks Malone – Greeneville, Tennessee

Vinyl Liner Pools

• First Place: Heatwave Pools – Monroe, Ohio
• Second Place: Quality Pool Construction – Lancaster, South Carolina
• Third Place: Swim King Pools – Rocky Point, New York

Coverstar Automatic Safety Covers

• First Place: Buster Crabbe Pools – Nixa, Missouri
• Second Place: Concord Pools & Spas – Latham, New York
• Third Place: Nate’s Pools & Service – Jesup, Georgia

Winter Safety Covers

• First Place: Swim Sports Inc – Hanover, Massachusetts
• Second Place: Washington Pools and Spas – Washington, Missouri
• Third Place: Swim Sports Inc – Hanover, Massachusetts

Pool and Backyard Design Trends on Display
Today’s backyard design trends focus on bringing swimming, relaxation and entertaining together in one outdoor setting. This year’s winning projects reflect this approach, with features that give homeowners more ways to enjoy their pools and the spaces around them:

• Spaces to Lounge and Unwind. Tanning ledges, in-water lounge chairs and pool-spa combos are being integrated to expand the pool’s role beyond swimming. These features appear throughout the winning projects, creating inviting places to relax, cool off and spend time together.
• Seamless Design from the Inside Out. Designers are using pool shapes, paving patterns and finishes to work together to connect the backyard to the home. Several winning projects illustrate this approach through clean lines, coordinated materials and defined areas for gathering.
• Resort-Inspired Living. Waterfalls, slides and spacious patios bring elements of a vacation retreat home. The winning backyards show different ways to create that experience, from dramatic rock features to comfortable poolside lounging areas.
• Safety Built into the Design. Pool covers are a practical part of backyard planning. The winning automatic and winter safety cover installations show how these features can fit a range of pool shapes and outdoor settings.

A Reflection of Latham’s Dealer Network
Winners enjoy recognition by having their projects featured in Latham’s annual 2027 calendar, national marketing campaigns and of course industry bragging rights.

“These winning projects are a direct reflection of the talent and craftsmanship within our dealer network,” said Gadd. “Every entry we received reinforces why we do what we do: giving dealers the products and support they need to bring their customers’ backyard visions to life.”

Homeowners interested in exploring a backyard transformation of their own can find a local Latham dealer here.

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 70 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.

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.