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
POOLCORP Welcomes John Watwood as President and Chief Executive Officer
Seasoned distribution leader to drive POOLCORP’s next chapter of growth, deepening commitment to customers and supply partners
COVINGTON, LA., May 14, 2026 — POOLCORP, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and outdoor living products, recently announced the appointment of John Watwood as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Watwood joined the company in January 2026 as Executive Vice President and has quickly made an impact after spending much of his time in POOLCORP sales centers, meeting with customers, engaging with suppliers, and aligning closely with teams across the business. With extensive leadership experience in industrial and specialty distribution, Watwood brings a deep understanding of how to build high-performing teams, strengthen customer connections, and create long-term value in the industry.
Prior to joining POOLCORP, Watwood served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations at Motion Industries, a leading distributor of industrial parts and value-added solutions and a subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company. During his career, he has led large-scale sales and operations organizations focused on customer growth, supply chain excellence, and market expansion.

“John has gained the trust of our employees, customers, and suppliers in a very short period of time,” said Kenny St. Romain, Senior Vice President at POOLCORP. “He understands distribution at its core, but more importantly, he understands the value of relationships and the local support that our customers need. Our field teams have seen firsthand his commitment to listening, supporting our customers, and helping us continue to evolve our already successful service model. There’s real excitement across the organization about where we’re headed under John’s leadership.”
Watwood’s appointment marks the next chapter for POOLCORP as the company continues to invest in customer-focused solutions, sales and service excellence, operational capabilities, and technology-enabled experiences designed to help industry professionals grow and operate more efficiently.

About Pool Corporation
POOLCORP is the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and related outdoor living products. The Company operates approximately 455 sales centers in North America, Europe, and Australia, through which it distributes more than 200,000 products to roughly 125,000 wholesale customers, including pool builders, retail stores, and service professionals. For more information, please visit www.poolcorp.com.
Industry News
Latham Rings Nasdaq Opening Bell Commemorating 70th Anniversary & 5 Year IPO
Latham Group, Inc. – the largest designer and manufacturer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand, visited the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square.
The team at Latham proudly rang the Nasdaq Opening Bell. The industry leader took a moment to celebrate its 70th anniversary and five years as a public company, highlighting continued growth, strong market performance, and resilience in a shifting residential construction landscape.
The achievement follows a year of solid performance for Latham Group Inc., which reported 7% year-over-year revenue growth in 2025, even as the broader residential construction market faced ongoing economic headwinds.

In a statement on LinkedIn, the company said:
“For seven decades, innovation has been at the core of what we do, made possible by the trusted builders and partners who bring these backyards to life every day.
Together, we’ve helped transform backyards into spaces where families gather and memories are made.
Here’s to 70 years of progress, partnership, and what we’ll build next!”
Photo Credit: Latham, The Pool Company
Industry News
SPS PoolCare Expands Enterprise Platform with ServiceTitan
SPS’s Recent Acquisition of Pool Troopers Accelerates Company’s Investment in Scaled Infrastructure with ServiceTitan Powering Over 30 Branch Locations Across Five States and Standardizing Operations across the Service Cycle
LOS ANGELES – March 17, 2026— ServiceTitan (Nasdaq: TTAN), the software platform that powers the trades, today announced that SPS PoolCare, the largest residential swimming pool services platform in the United States, is standardizing their 30+ branch locations across five states on the ServiceTitan platform. By unifying their family of brands on ServiceTitan, SPS will leverage a single, enterprise-grade system to unify its vast operations, accelerate its high-velocity acquisition strategy, and scale its platform.
“SPS is demonstrating how purpose-built technology can transform a traditionally fragmented industry,” said Connor Theilmann, Chief Business Officer of ServiceTitan. “Their leadership team has made a deliberate investment in enterprise infrastructure, and we’re proud to support their continued growth. Standardizing on ServiceTitan will allow SPS to meet the needs of a large, multi-location operation, with Fraser Ramseyer, Storr Group, and the SPS leadership team making this one of the most seamless large-scale integrations we’ve ever seen.”
The move reflects SPS PoolCare’s continued investment in enterprise-grade infrastructure, as it advances its position as the dominant market leader in a highly fragmented industry. Founded in 2021 and backed by Storr Group, an investment firm that builds and scales industry-leading platforms, SPS PoolCare operates across Texas, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia, where it employs more than 1,000 team members and is on track to perform more than two million weekly recurring pool services in 2026. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based platform serves as SPS PoolCare’s technology backbone, enabling SPS to manage complexity across geography, workforce scale, and service frequency.
“We’ve worked closely with the ServiceTitan team for several years, and this decision reflects the trust and alignment we’ve built as long-term partners,” said Lance Martin, CEO and COO of SPS PoolCare. “Our objective has always been to build a durable platform that enables our team to deliver exceptional service to our customers. Standardizing on ServiceTitan gives us the operational visibility, integration speed, and performance discipline required to scale responsibly and create long-term value.”
Ranked #1 on Pool and Spa News Top 50 Service list, SPS continues to solidify its position as the industry leader, driven by the company’s ability to pair high-velocity revenue growth with a deep commitment to staff training and retention, active industry leadership, and an early adopter of innovative technology within the pool service space. SPS PoolCare is dedicated to the communities it serves, ensuring that its national scale translates into a positive local impact across its entire service footprint.
“From inception, our thesis at Storr Group has been to build the pool industry’s first scaled category-defining operating platform,” Fraser Ramseyer, CEO of Storr Group and Founder of SPS PoolCare. “Technology is not ancillary to that vision – it is foundational. ServiceTitan provides the infrastructure necessary to integrate acquisitions efficiently, drive operational consistency, and support disciplined expansion.”
SPS PoolCare’s focus on being the employer-of-choice is supported by ServiceTitan’s mobile-first capabilities, which empower their over 1,000 staff team members with the tools they need to succeed in the field.
ServiceTitan continues to invest in purpose-built technology for the pool industry, offering features like route optimization, automated chemical tracking, and integrated project management for renovations. By providing real-time visibility into multi-location operations, ServiceTitan enables enterprise-scale businesses like SPS PoolCare to make data-driven decisions that fuel organic growth.
About ServiceTitan ServiceTitan is the software platform that powers trades businesses. The company’s cloud-based, end-to-end solution gives contractors the tools they need to run and grow their business, manage their back office, and provide a stellar customer experience. By bringing an integrated SaaS platform to an industry historically underserved by technology, ServiceTitan is equipping tradespeople with the technology they need to keep the world running.
About SPS PoolCare
As the #1 swimming pool services company in the United States, SPS PoolCare is on track to perform over 2,000,000 weekly recurring pool services in 2026 and employs more than 1,000 staff across five states. Backed by Storr Group, the company is focused on growing its family of brands across the Sun Belt, as it continues to make owning a pool a joy. SPS PoolCare is committed to creating a world-class service experience for its customers and being an employer-of-choice for its team members. Read more at spspoolcare.com.
About Storr Group
Storr Group is an operationally focused lower-middle-market private equity firm that backs, builds, and scales industry-leading platforms. With a rich background in business building, Storr combines world-class operators with strategic M&A, deep integration, and sophisticated technology to drive sustainable growth and long-term value. To partner today, visit storrgroup.com.
Press Contact
Max Wertheimer
ServiceTitan, Inc.
© 2026 ServiceTitan. All rights reserved. ServiceTitan, the ServiceTitan logo, and all ServiceTitan product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of ServiceTitan, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other brand names and marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s).
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