Industry News
Automatic Spa Covers

One of the most functional pool equipment is the automatic pool cover. Automatic pool covers offer great functionality, especially during winter. They protect the pool from dirt, leaves among other impurities. Not to mention, they offer great safety and energy-saving features. Spa owners also have the unique privilege of protecting their spas from dirt using automatic spa covers. Over the years, spas have increasingly become popular among most homeowners. Subsequently, these covers are now in high demand. Although expensive, most automatic spa covers offer excellent aesthetics, maximum safety and are easy to operate.

Increased demand for automatic spa covers
In most instances, spa owners who see these covers will want something similar for their spas. Pool Patrol in British Columbia, Allan Horwood, says, “Pool professionals thought it was weird to cover spas back in the day. But now, the demand for automatic spa covers is on the rise.”
Most homeowners are now investing in larger spas and pools. So, it is obvious they will need automatic covers for both features.
VP of sales for Automatic Pool Covers, Mike Shadoan
Nevertheless, the covers are expensive. But people overlook these costs due to the unique benefits they offer. So, there is an opportunity for pool experts who want to start selling these covers.
Sell quality and user-friendly automatic spa covers
The best thing about automatic spa covers is that it is much easier to use them during the winter season. Think about it. A good percentage of homeowners would love to use their spas during winter. Having a cover that is hard to push or pull is the last thing they would want. So, ensure your they are user-friendly. Your customers should be able to operate them just by the simple touch of a button. If your customer has an adjacent pool, ensure that the automatic spa cover matches the pool cover.
A great opportunity for builders
Indisputably, the global pandemic made more homeowners treasure their outdoor spaces. Consequently, there was an increase in pool products and services. This led to an increased demand for these covers as well. Pool contractors, therefore, have the opportunity to sell quality automatic spa covers. When builders are working on a pool project, they can always suggest this product to the pool owner if they have a spa. In most instances, homeowners will be interested in the product. In particular, high-end pool owners are likely to purchase this product from you.
Installing automatic spa covers
The major difference between an automatic pool and spa cover is versatility and aesthetics. Automatic spa covers are more customizable compared to pool covers. Shadoan says, “It is possible to position covers on spas located above the deck. However, if the spa has the same level as the deck, you will require to place an auto cover box below the grade, “Suppose you are dealing with a spa located above the ground, you need to raise it by approximately 18 to 20 inches above the deck, such that the auto cover box stays above the deck.
When installing an automatic spa cover on an existing spa, you have to be creative so that the cover fits perfectly. Some experts say there are moments they have to flush mount the auto cover track onto the cedar deck. Fortunately, the deck person was willing to help out. So, they were able to figure out how to place the notch in the deck. And the results of this were impressive. The deck guy was also able to construct a small bench at the end of the spa to store cleaning supplies.
Balancing aesthetics and functionality
It can be challenging to know what to put over the auto cover box. Striking a balance between aesthetics and functionality can be challenging. Shadoan says, “Pool contractors should know their requirements. From there, they can determine what to put over the auto cover box. Moreover, they should consider the aesthetics and the needs of the customer.
Like pool covers, automatic spa covers come with a certain lid for the auto cover box. The lid is usually manufactured from aluminum. It is user-friendly but cannot withstand too much weight. Thus, it would be best not to allow your pets or children to stand or walk over the lid. As a result, most spa owners often want to customize the area around the spa so that they can walk around. Some use concrete or limestone so that the area can look more attractive.
Who will buy automatic spa covers?
Pool experts have created a broad spectrum of automatic spa covers over the years. Even so, not many spa covers meet both aesthetics and functionality requirements. However, customers who want a spa cover solely for safety purposes can find many suitable options.
Nevertheless, automatic spa covers are not for everyone. They are for homeowners who want to match their pool cover with the spa cover. Also, high-end pool owners with spas don’t mind installing this feature.
Industry News
Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

For an industry that spends a great deal of time talking about how pools are built, operated and maintained, Pool Horizons is advancing a different conversation: why swimming pools matter in the first place.
Launched in 2023, Pool Horizons is a global initiative bringing together leaders from the swimming pool industry and broader aquatic community to examine and communicate the role pools play in society. Its work focuses on areas including health and wellbeing, community development, water safety and sustainability, with an emphasis on giving the industry research and real-world examples that demonstrate the value of aquatic spaces beyond recreation.
Over the next several months, Pool Horizons will continue that conversation at major industry gatherings in the United States and Europe, with appearances scheduled in Phoenix, Lyon and Atlantic City.
Pool Horizons Heads to the MasterMind Summit
The first stop will be the PHTA & GENESIS MasterMind Summit, taking place September 16–18 at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
Pool Horizons will host a two-hour session on Friday, September 18, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., connecting the cultural and social history of swimming pools with the data-backed narrative the industry is working to develop.
Author and historian Jeff Wiltse will explore the history of swimming pools and their enduring social, cultural and economic importance. Attendees will then hear about the latest Pool Horizons initiatives and how that work applies to the U.S. market.
The session will conclude with industry leaders discussing how different stakeholders can work together to better communicate the value of pools and create new opportunities for the industry.
Taking the Conversation to France
The initiative will head overseas in November for Piscine Global 2026 in Lyon, France.
On November 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pool Horizons will present preliminary findings from the Global Aquatic Social Impact Framework (GASIF) pilot study. The project is aimed at developing a more data-driven understanding of the social impact created by swimming pools and aquatic facilities.
Representatives from participating industry associations in France, Spain and the United States will take part, followed by a roundtable examining the challenges and future of the swimming pool industry. Leaders from CF Group, Fluidra, Hayward and Pentair are scheduled to participate in the discussion.
Pool Horizons will make a second appearance in Lyon during Aqualie on November 19 from 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. That session will introduce Pool Horizons and showcase a French public swimming pool Best-in-Class project, providing a real-world example of the role aquatic facilities can play within their communities.
Returning to Connect With The Industry in Atlantic City in 2027
The schedule continues into the new year with the Pool Horizons Summit in Atlantic City on January 25, 2027, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Following its 2026 gathering, Pool Horizons will return with a program that includes a keynote presentation, a new Best-in-Class project and contributions from leading figures throughout the swimming pool industry.
Together, the upcoming events provide Pool Horizons with an opportunity to continue building the conversation on both sides of the pond.
Industry News
Skimmer Expands Into Pool Construction Software With Acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics
The two software platforms form the foundation of a unified offering for pool professionals; Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds joins Skimmer to lead construction strategy.

AUSTIN, TX, August 24, 2026 — Skimmer, the leading operating system for pool service and maintenance professionals, today announced the acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics, two software platforms purpose-built for pool construction businesses.
The acquisitions mark Skimmer’s expansion into pool construction and establish the foundation for a unified platform serving pool professionals from construction through ongoing service and maintenance.
As part of the acquisition, Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds, who has extensive experience in the pool construction software space, will join Skimmer, leading the company’s construction strategy and continued investment in solutions for pool builders.
“Our vision is to build an end-to-end platform for the pool and spa industry,” said Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer. “Pool Builder Geek brings an AI-native platform designed to evolve quickly with the industry, while Poologics brings a proven product that builders have relied on for years. Together, they significantly accelerate our ability to serve pool construction businesses.”
Pool builders manage complex estimating, permitting, project management, subcontractor coordination, customer communication, and job costing processes. Many still rely on spreadsheets or generic construction tools that were not designed for their specific needs. Pool Builder Geek and Poologics address those challenges with purpose-built capabilities, including estimating, project management, permitting, job costing, and AI-powered visualization.
“Pool builders do not need generic contracting software with a pool label added to it,” said Reynolds. “We built Pool Builder Geek specifically around how pools are sold and built with AI at the core of the platform. Joining Skimmer gives us the resources and expertise to accelerate our product roadmap and deliver even more for the builders we serve. I’m excited about what we can build together and what this means for the future of the pool industry.”
“We built Poologics on the belief that pool construction deserves software designed specifically for the industry,” said Nate Pruitt, CEO of Poologics. “Skimmer has built its business on that same belief for pool service. Together, we can give builders more resources, stronger support, and a faster path to innovation.”
Service and maintenance remain a core focus of Skimmer. The expansion into construction advances the company’s long-term strategy to provide connected, purpose-built tools for pool professionals across the industry.
About Skimmer
Skimmer is one of America’s leading pool service platforms. The company is on a mission to modernize the pool and spa service and repair industry through easy-to-use software and best-in-class support. Over 35,000 pool service professionals servicing 1,000,000+ pools in North America use Skimmer to get organized, get paid faster, and grow their businesses. For more information, visit getskimmer.com.
About Poologics
Poologics is an all-in-one business management platform built specifically for swimming pool builders. It streamlines CRM, estimating, project management, and job costing, helping professionals run their businesses with greater efficiency, accuracy, and control. For more information, visit poologics.com.
About Pool Builder Geek
Pool Builder Geek is an AI-powered project management platform built exclusively for the swimming pool construction and renovation industry. Created by a team with deep experience building software for pool builders, it gives builders purpose-built tools for project tracking, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, budgeting, job costing, and AI-powered backyard visualization. For more information, visit poolbuildergeek.com.
Media contact
Travis Wingate
Skimmer, CMO, [email protected], 416-838-9161
Industry News
Landmark Aquatic Names Jason Hill Kansas City General Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Landmark Aquatic, a national leader in commercial aquatic construction and renovation, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Hill to General Manager of its Kansas City, Missouri market. Hill brings nearly two decades of commercial aquatic experience to the role, having worked his way through the industry as a laborer, plumber, project superintendent and project manager. That hands-on path through the trades gives him a perspective few general managers share.
“I truly understand the jobs of everyone here,” explains Hill. “It’s not just how they’re supposed to perform, I actually understand their day-to-day struggles, their desire for growth, and their need to have the best tools at their disposal to do their job efficiently.”
As he begins his tenure, Hill said mentorship and workforce development will be a top priority, particularly given how few professionals nationwide specialize in commercial pools.
“The commercial pool industry is such an anomaly,” he said. “As we grow our team, we are not likely to find commercial pool people waiting in our market to be hired, rather I am going to have to make commercial pool people. Training and coaching them is a big part of making that happen.” Hill’s emphasis on training echoes the company culture that earned Landmark a Top Workplace award, given in part for its investment in employee career development.
Hill is already collaborating closely with Landmark’s marketing team to grow the company’s visibility across the Kansas City market, contributing fresh ideas that are helping generate excitement. “I’m excited to compete with our other markets and see how far we can climb,” he said, noting his hometown ties add extra motivation.
With his depth of field experience and people-first approach, Hill is positioned to grow Landmark Aquatic’s presence and reputation throughout the region.
Jason can be reached at [email protected].
About Landmark Aquatic:
Landmark Aquatic is a nationwide provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance services, with more than six decades of industry experience. Serving clients across most of the U.S., Landmark delivers construction-led solutions and on-going support though its AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions. For more about Landmark Aquatic visit www.landmarkaquatic.com.
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