Jacuzzi Continues on its Acquisition Track

CHINO, CA–(Marketwire – May 31, 2012) – Jacuzzi Group Worldwide, parent company to both Jacuzzi^® Hot Tubs and Sundance^® Spas, announces today that an affiliated company has acquired the assets of ThermoSpas^®. ThermoSpas is a manufacturer and seller of hot tubs, which began operations in 1983.

“We are very pleased to welcome ThermoSpas’ employees, suppliers and spa owners to the Jacuzzi Group family,” said Bob Rowan, president of Jacuzzi North America. “ThermoSpas’ ability to generate interest in the hot tub category combined with a cutting-edge system of managing leads will prove to be a significant benefit to our network of Jacuzzi and Sundance dealers and our corporation. Additionally, ThermoSpas’ reputation for innovative, great quality products makes them a great fit with our current business.”

President Andy Tournas in 1983 founded ThermoSpas, based in Wallingford, Conn. The company will continue operating independently of the Jacuzzi and Sundance organizations, with Tournas serving as president.

“I am personally thrilled to enter this new chapter for ThermoSpas under the ownership of Jacuzzi Group Worldwide,” said Tournas. “Their expertise and resources will enable ThermoSpas to provide outstanding service to our customer base, and I’m certain that ThermoSpas will provide some significant enhancements to the Jacuzzi and Sundance businesses.”

About Jacuzzi Group Worldwide

Jacuzzi Group Worldwide is a leading global producer of branded hot tub and bath products for residential, commercial and institutional markets. Its products include hot tubs, whirlpool baths, air baths, soaking baths, showers, sink and toilet suites and are marketed under a widely recognized portfolio of famous brand names, including JACUZZI^® and SUNDANCE^®. For more information, visit jacuzzi.com.

Bullfrog Spas wins Best of State award – for the 9th time!

Bullfrog Spas, manufacturer of quality portable hot tubs, was recently awarded the 2012 Best of State Award for the Pool and Spa category. This is the 9th time Bullfrog Spas has won the award since 2003.

The Best of State Organization has a goal of recognizing the best organizations, individuals and companies in Utah based on the following criteria*:

• The overall excellence, superiority and quality of a nominee’s products, services or performance.
• The creativity which nominees display to differentiate themselves from their competition.
• The nominee’s accomplishments to improve the quality of life in their community and state, and their efforts to make the world a better place.

Bullfrog Spas continues to lead the hot tub and spa industry in quality and innovation as reflected in these accomplishments:

• 100% wood-free composite spa support structure, no rot or warping
• Made in the USA with non-polluting, green methods, using 25% recycled materials
• Best energy efficiency in their class according to data compiled by the California Energy Commission
• Lowest failure rate shown by warranty claim data and verified by technicians

Bullfrog’s innovations include the patented JetPak System, which uses modular jetted hot tub seats, or JetPaks, that allow spa owners to customize the massages in their spa and interchange them at any time.

Bullfrog’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters is located just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Bullfrog Spas are sold through Authorized Retailers across the US and Canada and in several other international markets, including Brazil and Europe.

Hottubworks.com sells hot tub covers, hot tub filters, and hot tub chemicals for all Bullfrog Spas Models.

Hot Spring Spas Resin Vats Explode!

An explosion took place at Watkins Manufacturing home for the brands Hot Spring Spas, Caldera Spas, and  Freeflow Spas.  No injuries were reported. The explosion was on the exterior of the plant but the container that exploded did puncture the roof and cause the sprinkler system to break, causing flooding.

Watkins is known for known for being a very responsible company and most would speculate this was from isolated human error, and not poor processes on the part of the company.

VISTA, CA. — An 8,000-gallon container of chemicals exploded and launched through the roof at a hot-tub factory in south Vista late Thursday night, fire officials said.

No one was injured. A security guard was the only person around at 10:30 p.m. when the container exploded outside the main building of Watkins Manufacturing Corp., Vista Fire Department Capt. Robert Ford said Friday.

Hazardous materials crews from San Diego, the county, and Camp Pendleton were called in about 11 p.m. With company officials they spent the next nearly five hours dealing with the mess, Ford said. He said the cause of the blast was still under investigation.

The company makes Hot Spring and Caldera spas and hot tubs at an industrial park on Park Center Drive, west of Business Park Drive.

The container, 10 feet tall and 8 feet in diameter, held a resin-type of chemical and stood with similar containers on a raised platform behind a wall and beneath a metal roof adjacent to the factory building, Ford said.

The flying container dropped through the factory roof and ruptured the sprinkler system. When water from the sprinklers mixed with the chemical, it created a kind of slurry that did not spread beyond the immediate area or get into any waterways, Ford said.

He said when firefighters got to the factory, they could see light smoke, running water, and debris. There was no fire.

Firefighters called for additional engines and the hazardous materials crews. Ford said further clean-up duties were handed over to company officials early Friday.

Manufacturing any product can be hazardous,
And if we learn from the history of our industry,
We can avoid repeating the same mistakes.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Mar 27, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — USA Swimming today announced a partnership with Master Spas, one of the largest portable spas, hot tubs and swim spa manufacturers in the country. Master Spas will become an Official Supplier of USA Swimming.

As part of the partnership, Master Spas will provide a hot tub and a swim spa for swimmers competing in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Swimming, which will take place June 25 to July 2 in Omaha, Nebraska; Master Spas will also be a part of the USA Swimming Aqua Zone fan experience in Omaha, which offers its attendees the ultimate swim-fan experience. Master Spas will hold the “Michael Phelps Swim Spa Challenge,” which will enable fans to see how they measure up against the training speed of Michael Phelps in a Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa by Master Spas.

Every Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa by Master Spas contains proprietary wave propulsion technology that provides a wider, deeper and smoother current for swimmers to train in. Resistance in the swim spa is adjustable through a Swim Number System™ that lets swimmers adjust the flow of the current as they practice.

“The partnership with Master Spas allows us to provide a great service to the athletes competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials, as well as a one-of-a-kind fan experience to gain an appreciation for Michael Phelps’ training in a swim spa,” said Matt Farrell, USA Swimming Chief Marketing Officer. “It also allows the coaches and athletes participating in the U.S. Olympic Trials to use the swim spa system to better prepare for their own performances.”

“Master Spas is honored to be working so closely with USA Swimming to support the hopes and dreams of swimmers,” said Bob Lauter, Master Spas, CEO. “We worked with Michael and his coach, Bob Bowman, to develop a swim spa that would benefit swimmers of all levels and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the swimming community in Omaha and across the country.”

About USA Swimming

As the National Governing Body for competitive swimming in the United States, USA Swimming formulates the rules, implements policies and procedures, conducts national championships, disseminates safety and sports medicine information and selects athletes to represent the United States in international competition. USA Swimming has more than 300,000 members nationwide and sanctions more than 7,000 events each year. For more information, visit USAswimming.org   .

About Master Spas

Master Spas is one of the largest portable spas, hot tubs, and swim spa manufacturers in the country, operating out of a state-of-the-art 250,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility on 27 acres, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Master Spas’ management team has over 80 years of spa manufacturing success, and one of the strongest track records in the industry. For more information, visit masterspas.com .

HGTV Features Bullfrog Spas Hot Tub and SpaVault in Dream Home Design

HGTV, the leader in home and garden, landscape design, and interior design programming features a Bullfrog Model 662 in their 2012 Dream Home.

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) December 14, 2011

HGTV, the leader in home and garden television programming, recently featured a Bullfrog Spa Model 662 and the Bullfrog Spas SpaVault below-ground installation kit in their 2012 Dream Home.

HGTV has designed and built a Dream Home each year since 1997. No detail is overlooked in these impressive designs and each is built with a unique style that fits with the region and local surroundings. In addition, the Dream Home will be given away to a lucky sweepstakes entrant.

The HGTV website displays information, video, an interactive tour of the home, and a large image gallery, which of course includes many beautiful images of the hot tub deck and Bullfrog Spa.

The Dream Home designers chose a Bullfrog Spas Model 662 hot tub, which is an 8’ x 8’ spa with a seating capacity of 6 adults. The Model 662 offers a variety of seating options, including a comfortable bent-knee lounge seat and it features personalized massages via 6 JetPaks.

Only Bullfrog Spas offer patented JetPak Technology. JetPaks are interchangeable jetted seat backs. Each JetPak provides a unique massage sensation. JetPaks allow the Bullfrog Spa owner to customize their hot tub with the jetted massages of their choice at any time according to their massage therapy needs and preferences.

The hot tub deck on the 2012 Dream Home was built using a SpaVault, a unique Bullfrog Spas product. The SpaVault allows the builder or experienced do-it-yourself homeowner to install a Bullfrog Spa below ground or partially in the ground according to landscape design needs. A below ground hot tub in a SpaVault makes it easier to get in and out of the spa and provides open sight lines in your landscape design. SpaVault also provides easy equipment access and protection from the elements.

HGTV has become a popular TV show, and they are able to barter their influence with donated products from large manufacturers. Bullfrog spas knows how to work PR campaigns, and has supported many events, causes and efforts with their hot tubs.

- Jack

Relieving Mesothelioma Pain Through Aquatic Therapy

By: Jackie Clark

Mesothelioma is a rare and severe form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. According to The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, 2,500 – 3000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. There is no cure, but there are effective treatments. Standard medical treatments for mesothelioma may include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, there are alternative, or complementary, forms of treatment that can also relieve pain, increase energy, and improve the quality of life for mesothelioma patients.

One such option is aquatic or spa therapy. Therapists have long recommended aquatic therapy for people with a variety of conditions and injuries. In recent years, evidence has shown that this soothing form of therapy is also beneficial to mesothelioma patients. Common symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, difficulty breathing, and pain in the chest and ribs areas. Several aspects of aquatic or hydrotherapy work to in conjunction with each other to combat these painful symptoms. The warm water relaxes sore muscles and joints and reduces pain sensitivity and muscle spasms. The buoyancy of the water increases mobility and stimulates the muscles and nerves. Hydrostatic pressure relieves muscle pain and tension. The water surface tension creates enough resistance to gradually and gently strengthen weakened muscles. Patients recovering from surgery often heal faster with aquatic therapy because the low-impact movement in the water allows for earlier weight-bearing activities.

Another benefit of aquatic therapy is the renewed body, mind, and spirit. Relieving stress and improving one’s life outlook is critical for people facing cancer or any serious condition. The painful symptoms and the uncertainty of life with a mesothelioma diagnosis can take a toll on the patient’s emotional and mental well being. The relaxing and low-impact nature of aquatic therapy can work wonders at restoring a patient’s confidence in the ability to heal.

Patients should consult their physician for the best treatment options. An effective mesothelioma treatment plan both fights the cancer in the body and restores balance and calm to the mind. Ultimately, a combination of traditional medical treatments and complementary treatments like aquatic therapy can improve a patient’s prognosis and potentially increase the mesothelioma life expectancy. Healthier minds and spirits lead to healthier bodies.

Help support cancer research: The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance will donate $1 to cancer research every time someone simply “Likes” their page on Facebook.

For additional information on the mesothelioma, visit www.mesothelioma.com.

Jackie Clark joined the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance in 2009 as research assistant after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in fitness and nutrition. Jackie’s experience in technical and medical research has allowed her to assist in the development of medical content and outreach efforts, with specializations in alternative care, cancer support programs, and social media campaigns.