News
Florida Pool Professionals Honored for Excellence in Design and Craftsmanship
[Florida] — The Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) proudly recognized the state’s top pool builders and designers during its annual Design Awards, celebrating innovation, craftsmanship, and creativity in pool and outdoor living design.
The awards honor exceptional residential and commercial pool projects built throughout Florida, highlighting the skill and artistry of professional pool builders across the state. Winning projects showcase cutting-edge features, including custom water elements, resort-style outdoor spaces, integrated lighting, and unique architectural designs.
The award winners were:
Best in Show – Almar Jackson Pools, Inc.
Award of Merit – Classic Residential – Top Notch Pools
Residential Pool 250-500 sq ft – Gold Award – Premier Pools of Central Florida, Inc.
Residential Pool 250-500 sq ft – Gold Award – Landscape Fusion
Residential Pool 250-500 sq ft – Silver Award – Landscape Fusion
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Gold Award – Almar Jackson Pools, Inc.
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Gold Award – Coast to Coast Pools
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Gold Award – Signature Pools, Inc.
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Silver Award – Platinum Pools SRQ
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Silver Award – A&G Concrete Pools, Inc.
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Silver Award – Almar Jackson Pools, Inc.
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Silver Award – American Pools and Spas
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Bronze Award – Ike’s Carter Pool Companies
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Bronze Award – Natural Springs Pools & Spas
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Bronze Award – South Florida Custom Pools
Residential Pool 501+ sq ft – Bronze Award – Lucas Lagoons
Residential Pool Restoration – Gold Award – Almar Jackson Pools, Inc.
Residential Pool Restoration – Gold Award – Ike’s Carter Pool Companies
Residential Pool Restoration – Bronze Award – Aquatech Pools GC
Residential Spa – Gold Award – Ike’s Carter Pool Companies
Residential Spa – Silver Award – Ike’s Carter Pool Companies
Residential Pool Vanishing Edge – Gold Award – Almar Jackson Pools, Inc.
Residential Pool Vanishing Edge – Silver Award – Coast to Coast Pools
Residential Pool Vanishing Edge – Silver Award – Premier Pools of Central Florida, Inc.
Residential Pool Vanishing Edge – Bronze Award – Coast to Coast Pools
Residential Pool Vanishing Edge – Bronze Award – Grunit Pool Contractors
Residential Pool Vanishing Edge – Bronze Award – Ike’s Carter Pool Companies
Residential Water Feature – Gold Award – Aquatech Pools GC
Residential Water Feature – Gold Award – Ike’s Carter Pool Companies
Residential Water Feature – Gold Award – Ike’s Carter Pool Companies
Residential Water Feature – Silver Award – Ike’s Carter Pool Companies
Residential Water Feature – Bronze Award – Oak Wells Aquatics
Residential – Fiberglass or Vinyl Liner – Gold Award – Hydra Pools and Pavers
Commercial Water Feature – Gold Award – LaGasse’ Pools
Public Pools / Spas – Bronze Award – LaGasse’ Pools
Other – Lazy River – Gold Award – Pools By Bradley
Technical Achievement – Aquatech Pools GC
Technical Achievement – Coast to Coast Pools
Technical Achievement – Ike’s Carter Pool Companies
Technical Achievement – LaGasse’ Pools
Technical Achievement – Lucas Lagoons
Technical Achievement – Signature Pools, Inc.
“These awards recognize the incredible talent and dedication of pool professionals across Florida,” said Lyndsey Shock, CEO of the Florida Swimming Pool Association. “Each project represents the highest level of design, construction expertise, and commitment to creating beautiful outdoor environments for homeowners and communities.”
In addition to pool design awards, FSPA also recognized outstanding service vehicle presentation with the “Tops in Trucks” award. This award celebrates FSPA members who showcase professionalism and creativity through their company vehicles. This year’s Tops in Trucks winner was Aaron’s Leak Detection.
Award winners were selected by a panel of industry experts based on criteria including design creativity, functionality, craftsmanship, and overall aesthetic appeal.
The Design Awards were presented during the Everything Under the Sun Expo, the region’s premier trade show for pool and spa professionals.
To view the full list of award winners and photos, visit: FSPAAwards.com
About the Florida Swimming Pool Association
The Florida Swimming Pool Association represents pool and spa professionals throughout Florida and is dedicated to promoting safe, high-quality pool construction and advancing the pool and spa industry through education, advocacy, and professional standards.
News
CCEI North America and Carvin Pool Announce Strategic Partnership to Serve the U.S. Market
New partnership integrates Carvin’s premium aboveground pool systems with CCEI’s TILD smart automation platform
Los Angeles, California- CCEI North America and Carvin Pool Equipment have formalized a strategic partnership that delivers an integrated, app-controlled aboveground pool solution engineered for the U.S. market. The collaboration pairs Carvin’s industry-recognized pool and equipment expertise with CCEI’s TILD connected automation platform, offering pool professionals and end users a turnkey system that simplifies installation and elevates pool management.
At the core of the partnership is Carvin’s premium aboveground pool line, now available with the TILD automation control system— CCEI’s flagship connected Vigipool, app-based automation solution. TILD enables single-app control of pool heaters, pumps, filters, lighting, and chemical dosing and monitoring equipment, meeting growing consumer demand for intuitive, easy-to-install smart pool systems.
“CCEI is committed to the growing demand for our products in the U.S. market and the TILD’s automation’s value for pool professionals,” says Martin Grenier, Sales Manager for CCEI. “We are excited to partner with Carvin’s extensive presence in the U.S. to bring the CCEI automation system to more U.S. pool professionals and consumers.”
The partnership draws on the distinct strengths of each organization: Carvin brings market knowledge and a trusted distribution network in the U.S., while CCEI contributes a proven track record of connected pool innovation and adaptable product architecture. Together, the two companies are developing a cohesive, high-value offering designed to meet the specific performance requirements of the U.S. pool market.
“We know that the U.S. consumers purchasing Carvin Pools wants to control everything with an app on their phone,” explains Tony Guagliardo VP US of Sales for Carvin Pools, a manufacturer of above ground pools and equipment headquartered in Quebec, Canada. “The CCEI automation system is the ideal solution to offer our customers because the TILD & free Vigipool app provide a simple and affordable automation solution that is proven in Europe and we are thrilled to help expand this technology in the US.”
Looking ahead, the partners plan to expand the product portfolio with new water treatment solutions, further strengthening the integrated offering. Both companies are committed to building a sustained and growing joint presence in the United States, with the shared goal of providing pool professionals with reliable, market-adapted technology they can count on.
More information about CCEI’s US operations can be found at:
424-800-2191
CCEI USA Inc.
808 Hindry Ave, Suite G
Inglewood, CA 90301
Pictured from left to right:
Michael Durand – Project Manager VIF Group
David Danyluk – Project & Quality Director VIF Group
Martin Grenier – Sales Representative CCEI Pool North America
Klaudia Parker – SVP Sales & Marketing Carvin Pool Equipment
Alain Barabé – Senior Industrial Designer Carvin Pool Equipment
Sébastien Chereau – Marketing Director CCEI Group
About CCEI North America
CCEI is a French-founded manufacturer (est. 1973) specializing in innovative,, smart, and sustainable electrical equipment for swimming pools, including LED lighting, salt chlorinators, and automated control systems. Renowned for its Vigipool connected ecosystem, CCEI provides smart, user-friendly, and low-voltage solutions for pool maintenance and monitoring, with manufacturing sites in France, Romania, and a dedicated North American presence.
About Carvin Pool Equipment
Carvin is a North American manufacturer of high-performance above-ground pools, pool pumps, and filtration systems. Founded in 2009 following the acquisition of Competition Pool Inc. and the Jacuzzi® pool equipment line, Carvin launched its own brand after eight years under the Jacuzzi® name to lead with innovation and quality. In 2017, Carvin launched its first above-ground pool series, entirely designed by our in-house team to introduce bold new architectural elements to the pool frame. As part of Le Groupe VIF, Carvin draws on over 50 years of plastic injection molding expertise. Our 180,000 sq. ft. Canadian facility features 34 injection molding machines (21 robotic), blow molding, custom wall machinery, and in-house R&D — giving us full vertical integration from concept to finished product.
Manufacturer
Water Tech™ Corp Launches Interactive 2026 Digital Catalog
Water Tech Corp, manufacturer of award-winning battery-operated handheld pool and spa cleaners, has released its 2026 product catalog as an interactive online flipbook—available 24/7.
The 20-page catalog is designed as a comprehensive ordering and service reference for pool professionals. It features detailed product descriptions, SKUs, UPC-12 codes, and part numbers alongside full replacement part breakdowns. Logistics and merchandising data—including unit weights, case weights, retail box dimensions, and case and pallet quantities—that are clearly presented to support purchasing decisions at every level.
Large-format product photography makes it easy to identify and specify the right units, service parts, and accessories for retail floor sets, service trucks, or customer repair needs.
To view the 2026 catalog, visit: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/961943389/
City/State: E. Brunswick, NJ
Website: www.watertechcorp.com
Phone: 800-298-8800
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/watertechcorpNJ/
https://www.instagram.com/watertechcorp/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/watertechcorp/
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWatertechCorp
About Water Tech Corp:
Water Tech Corp is the manufacturer of the original Pool Blaster handheld battery powered pool cleaner as well as the powerful Volt and Precision battery powered pool cleaners on the market today. Water Tech has been a part of the pool and spa industry now for 20 years after being founded by Guy Erlich in 2001 in an apartment building in New York City. Water Tech has always been focused on patented-technologies and designs that have allowed Water Tech to succeed in the very competitive pool and spa cleaner arena. With 19 different US patents on pool and spa cleaners alone and more to come, Water Tech has been able to use its intellectual property and unique product designs to systematically ensure its success in the marketplace. In fact, between 2005 and the present date, Water Tech has received the “Pool & Spa News & Readers’ Choice Award” for “Best New Product” approximately seven (7) times.
The company now operates out of a large facility in E. Brunswick, NJ with more than 20,000 square foot of space. Water Tech has a reputation for bringing innovative, reliable products to our industry, designed specifically to meet the needs of consumers, service professionals and retailers in the swimming pool and spa market.
Regulations
PHTA Secures DOE Relief on Pool Pump Motor Rule
Advocacy effort provides critical runway for industry readiness and reduces risk of market disruption
(Alexandria, Va.) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, has secured a significant advocacy win with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regarding enforcement of key requirements within the pool pump motor rule.
DOE has announced that it will delay enforcement of certain energy conservation and certification requirements for small-size dedicated-purpose pool pump motors (DPPPMs), providing meaningful near-term relief for manufacturers, distributors, and other industry stakeholders. Under this enforcement policy, DOE will not seek civil penalties for certain compliance and certification requirements until March 26, 2029, for motors manufactured between September 28, 2027, and March 26, 2029.
While the rule itself remains in effect, this enforcement relief allows the industry additional time to prepare for compliance while helping to avoid unnecessary disruption to the marketplace.
“This is a meaningful and practical outcome for the industry,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “PHTA worked directly with DOE to communicate the real-world challenges our members were facing, including product availability, manufacturing constraints, and conflicts with existing safety standards. This decision provides the time needed to align those factors and ensure a smoother path to compliance.”
The original DOE rule, finalized in September 2023, established staggered compliance deadlines, requiring standard-size motors (1.15 ≤ THP ≤ 5) to comply by September 2025 and small-size motors (0.5 ≤ THP < 1.15) by September 2027. DOE acknowledged at the time that limited product availability and manufacturing scale challenges would require additional lead time for smaller motors.
PHTA’s advocacy efforts emphasized not only those manufacturing constraints but also the need to address misalignment between DOE requirements and existing industry safety standards, including UL 1004-10, which is widely used across the industry but not yet fully harmonized with DOE’s regulations for small-size motors.
“This outcome reflects the value of targeted, data-driven advocacy,” says Justin Wiley. “By working collaboratively with DOE, we were able to highlight both the technical and market realities facing the industry. This additional time will help ensure manufacturers can scale production, align with safety standards, and bring compliant products to market without creating unnecessary supply disruptions.”
The enforcement delay will:
- Provide additional time for industry readiness and compliance planning
- Reduce the risk of product shortages and supply chain disruption
- Help address misalignment with existing safety standards
- Demonstrate the impact of effective industry advocacy
PHTA will continue to monitor developments related to the pool pump motor rule and provide guidance and resources to members as the industry prepares for full compliance.
For more information on PHTA’s advocacy efforts and updates on regulatory developments, please visit www.phta.org/advocacy.
About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance:
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with over 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.
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