Press Releases
PHTA Announces Newest Strategic Partner: LYON FINANCIAL
(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is excited to announce its newest Strategic Partner, Lyon Financial. The PHTA Strategic Partnership Program provides year-round marketing programs directed to the pool and hot tub industry and gives companies the opportunity to build, grow, and maintain relationships with leading pool professionals.
Lyon Financial has been the industry leader in providing swimming pool and home improvement financing options since 1979. They offer personalized, hassle-free financial solutions tailor-made to clients’ individual needs and qualifications, eliminating the usual lengthy and stressful loan process to quickly and conveniently bring backyard dreams to life.
“Lyon Financial is excited for the opportunity to partner with PHTA,” says Richard Lyon, Owner and CEO of Lyon Financial. “Since 1979, we have served the pool industry as a home improvement financing specialist. This alliance will give us a highly-visible platform to further educate pool professionals and their clients on the value of financing, particularly the specialized and personal services that we bring to the table.”
As part of the Strategic Partnership Program, PHTA will recognize Lyon Financial’s commitment to the pool and hot tub industry by helping them maximize brand visibility, connect with thousands of engaged industry professionals, and unlock valuable opportunities.
“We are excited to welcome Lyon Financial as our newest Strategic Partner,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “Lyon Financial has played a crucial role in the pool and hot tub industry for more than 40 years. Through their efforts to provide future pool owners with the tools they need to create a backyard oasis, Lyon Financial has made dreams a reality for hundreds of thousands of homeowners.”
For more information about the Strategic Partnership Program, please contact Sheri Jackson, PHTA Senior Director of Business Development, at [email protected] or 703-838-0083 ext. 157.
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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with nearly 3,500 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of 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.
News
Coverings 2024 Announces 10th Class of Rock Stars, Celebrating a Decade of Industry Excellence
April 9, 2024 – Atlanta – Coverings (coverings.com), the premier international tile and stone exhibition and conference in North America, has unveiled the honorees of the annual Rock Star Awards ahead of Coverings 2024, taking place April 22-25, 2024, at the Georgia World Congress Center, in Atlanta, Georgia.
2024 marks the 10th year of the coveted awards program, underscoring Coverings’ unwavering, decade-long commitment to fostering industry growth by honoring exemplary young leaders in the tile and stone industry.
This year’s Rock Star recipients epitomize the industry’s most resourceful and exceptional young professionals who consistently innovate as forerunners of achievement, setting new standards in performance and excellence to further industry advancement.
“Over the past decade, the Rock Stars program has become a Coverings cornerstone, commemorating the innovative spirit and remarkable achievements of emerging tile and stone leaders,” said Jenn Heinold, president of Taffy Event Strategies, the show management company for Coverings. “The 2024 Rock Stars represent shining examples of professionals who demonstrate leadership, creativity and commitment to excellence, helping to drive the industry forward in countless positive ways. Coverings is proud to honor these exceptional individuals as part of the program’s 10th anniversary celebration.”
A panel of tile and stone industry leaders carefully reviewed nominations to determine this year’s 16 Rock Star inductees. The 2024 winners encompass a wide range of industry segments as follows:
Contractor/Installer (7):
Sean Gordy, Owner
Gordy Tile
Atlanta, Ga.
Shanan Hehir, Owner
Shanans Absolute Tile LLC
Manchester, Vt.
Trevor Hook, Owner
Hooked on Tile LLC
Evansville, Wis.
Nathan Merrill, Installer/Owner
Vision Stone and Tile
Mogadore, Ohio
Megan Renk, Owner
Mosaix Tile Installation Company
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Aryk Snowberger, Owner
Snowbee Custom Tile
Canton, Ohio
Gus Tolleson, Project Manager
J&R Tile, Inc.
San Antonio, Texas
Designer (2):
Marie Page, Sales Design Consultant
Architessa
Rockville, Md.
Amala Raj Swenson, Principal Interior Designer
Amala Raj Interiors
San Diego, Calif.
Distributor (4):
Steven Bellew, Operations Manager, Warehouse Coordinator / Co-owner
Bellew Tile & Marble Co / TJB Imports
Hingham, Mass.
John Donaghy, Director of Operations – Commercial Division
Best Tile
Fairhaven, Mass.
Jordan Johnson, Procurement Associate
International Tile & Stone
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Matthew Marchildon, Tool & Accessory Division Manager
Centura Tile
Toronto, Ontario
Manufacturer (2):
Markus Dworowy, National Technical Manager
Blanke Corporation
Rolling Meadows, Ill.
Kali Pharand, Product Standards and Sustainability Coordinator
Schluter Systems
Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Retailer (1):
Dani Williams, CEO and Creative Director
Artesana Tile
Tucson, Ariz.
The 2024 Rock Stars will be celebrated at Coverings 2024 alongside winners from the past nine years, uniting both new and previous award recipients in a grand celebration of industry excellence. A panel with previous Rock Stars about unlocking the key to a successful career will top off the celebration.
Showgoers are invited to participate in the festivities by attending the 2024 Rock Star Awards Ceremony & 10th Anniversary Celebration, which will be held April 22, 4-5 p.m. EDT, in the Outdoor Oasis (Hall C, Booth 7006) at Coverings 2024.
Recognition for this year’s winners also includes Coverings press content, a year-long professional feature on the Coverings website as well as postings on Coverings’ social media channels and blog.
Coverings 2024 attendees and other industry professionals can learn more about the Coverings 2024 Rock Stars at coverings.com/coverings-rock-stars.
For more information and to register for Coverings 2024 at no cost, visit coverings.com.
News
Local Veteran Brings First California Pools Location to Temecula
70-Year-Old Custom Residential Pool Construction Franchise Signs Deal to Bring Services to Temecula
TEMECULA, Calif. (April 1, 2024) – California Pools, the industry leader in custom residential swimming pool construction, is breaking ground with a franchise deal to bring its services to the Temecula market. This is the 16th California Pools location in California, with this location set to debut by April 2024.
Acquaintances turned business partners, the new location will be owned and operated by Ron Marquez and Laron Daffin. Marquez served in the U.S. Marine Corps for over two decades before he became a Project Manager for a different California Pools franchise while he earned a degree in manufacturing and engineering. Daffin has been in the construction industry since he was 17, working on a wide range of projects before focusing mainly on pools for the last 20 years.
When the two crossed paths by chance in 2022, Daffin quickly became a mentor for Marquez. The duo clicked immediately and the next move was simple, by combining Marquez’s leadership and project management experience with Daffin’s network, pool and construction industry knowledge, they decided to venture into business together. Knowing the history and quality of the California Pools franchise system, it didn’t take long for them to know it was time to bring one to their hometown.
“We are excited to give people their dream and be a part of making memories for them,” said Marquez. “California Pools provides great service and quality to its customers, and to be able to continue to provide that to our community is something we pride ourselves on.”
Since 1952, California Pools has guided countless homeowners through the process of creating their dream backyard retreat. The franchise has a trusted process for delivering a customer’s dream by offering a turnkey solution for custom pools, spas, waterscapes, landscapes, and much more. By working directly with the customers and trusted local sub-contractors, California Pools streamlines what can be a difficult and costly headache into a dream-made-real.
“We’re looking forward to adding Ron and Laron to the California Pools family as we expand our services into the Temecula market,” said Steve Terry, President of California Pools. “Our goal has always been to turn peoples’ backyard dreams into a reality. With Ron and Laron’s help, we’re going to help bring paradise right into the backyards of the Temecula community.”
Now, Temecula homeowners will receive a hands-on experience with a partner that will provide custom design and quality construction. Their expert designers provide guidance from initial consultation through final walkthrough as a customer’s dream is brought to life in a positive and engaging process.
To learn more about California Pools and its franchising opportunities, please visit www.franchisecp.com.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA POOLS
California Pools began its dream building in 1952 when founder Wayne Steimle wanted to build a swimming pool in his own backyard. Using what he had around him, Steimle built his pool and inspired his neighbors to want Steimle-built pools of their own. Since then, California Pools’ services began to spread nationwide and by 2018, the brand created a franchising model to support the goal of serving and guiding the dreams of homeowners across the nation. California Pools Franchise now has many franchise locations in California and other states. With its extensive experience building pools in California over the decades, the leadership has goals to continue the expansion throughout the nation and beyond. To learn more about California Pools and its franchising opportunities, please visit www.californiapools.com.
Manufacturer
SRS Distribution Announces Next Phase of Growth by Combining with The Home Depot to Better Serve Professional Customers
MARCH 28, 2024
SRS Distribution Inc. (“SRS”) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with The Home Depot to be acquired for $18.250 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, SRS Distribution will operate as an independent business unit within The Home Depot, focused on accelerating growth in the Pro market.
Over the past 16 years, the SRS family has become one of the fastest-growing building products distributors in the United States. This proposed transaction will bring together the impressive talent, technology, and capabilities of SRS with The Home Depot’s trusted name and robust platform, expanding SRS’ reach into numerous new product categories and customers.
The proposed acquisition will clear a pathway for accelerated growth with the residential and commercial professional customer by expanding The Home Depot’s Pro capabilities, combining online, retail, and wholesale. The combined platform will open new opportunities for existing suppliers and partners by providing access to SRS’ expert workforce focused on specialty verticals, as well as The Home Depot’s cross-project expertise, product mix, network, and digital assets.
Under the agreement, the SRS senior leadership team will remain with the company to guide its ambitious growth plans. Dan Tinker, President and CEO of SRS, will continue to lead SRS operations under this new structure, reporting to The Home Depot CEO Ted Decker.
“We are proud to be combining with The Home Depot to continue our growth journey with the additional resources and capabilities they will put behind us,” said Dan Tinker, President and CEO of SRS. “We set out to find the optimal strategic outcome for the business, and we strongly believe we have achieved just that. With this combination, the future has never been brighter for our supplier partners, our Pro customers, and our team.”
“SRS’ ability to build leadership positions in each of its trade verticals while generating significant revenue growth is a testament to its strong vision, leadership, culture, and execution,” said Ted Decker, Chair, President, and CEO of The Home Depot. “SRS’ branch network, coupled with The Home Depot’s 2,000+ U.S. stores and distribution centers and comprehensive product offering provides the residential and commercial Pro customer with more fulfillment and service options than ever before. I look forward to welcoming Dan and the entire SRS team to The Home Depot and capturing the exciting opportunity ahead.”
SRS Distribution currently has two private equity investors: Berkshire Partners LLC. (since 2013) and Leonard Green & Partners L.P. (since 2018). “Over the past 16 years, SRS Distribution has successfully grown its business while delivering tremendous shareholder value to its investors and, more uniquely, to
its employees,” said Jon Seiffer, Senior Partner at Leonard Green. “This next chapter with The Home Depot is a logical step in SRS’ evolution and will mutually benefit both companies’ growth prospects for the benefit of all employees, customers, and suppliers,” said Josh Lutzker, Managing Director at Berkshire Partners.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of fiscal 2024 and is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Jefferies LLC. is acting as lead financial advisor, and Goldman Sachs is also acting as financial advisor to SRS on this transaction.
About SRS Distribution
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in McKinney, Texas, SRS Distribution has grown to become one of the fastest-growing building products distributors in the United States. Since the Company’s inception, it has established a differentiated growth strategy and entrepreneurial culture that is focused on serving customers, partnering with suppliers, and attracting the industry’s best talent. SRS Distribution currently operates under a family of distinct local brands encompassing more than 760 locations across 47 states. SRS Distribution is a portfolio company of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and Berkshire Partners LLC. For more information, visit www.srsdistribution.com.
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