logo
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
Pool & spa supplies update from SCP
News
April 14, 2021
Pool & spa supplies update from SCP

The year 2021 is going to continue to be difficult for pool and spa professionals. With business booming for service technicians in pool-heavy regions of the United States, there is greater demand for chemicals and equipment than suppliers are capable of providing.

Robert Rankin, Vice president of Western Divisions of Pool Corp, the world's largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, parts and outdoor living products shared some insights into this ongoing crisis.

According to Rankin, the situation with dry chemicals (tabs/granular) is still challenging. Quantities remain limited and therefore prices continue to increase. He says he is still not sure when this will end or how bad it will get.

“Supply and demand will drive that, but we are not even into the season, the heat and the real usage. If commercial business (hotels, resorts, travel) takes off with relaxed Covid rules, then all bets are off for sure. That additional bather load could be the ‘straw’.” Rankin said.

With dry chemicals so notably undersupplied, it seems that salt water chlorine generator sales would have surged, but Rankin says that salt and other forms of alternative sanitization have 'bumped', but not beyond capacity.

“Liquid chlorine has been the immediate winner, especially in the West, as service techs already depend on the product and tend to default back when other forms are stressed.”

In the equipment supplies business, Rankin says it is very stressed and already at a critical phase.

“Demand was already strong, andTexas only added to that and caused shortages throughout the country. Price increase announcements for April/May from almost every vendor have added problems to concerns on top of limited supply.”

He says this is truly the perfect storm.

Furthermore, PVC prices are going up dramatically.

“Right now, there is limited supply on all forms of pipe, fittings, valves, etc., with no end in sight.”

Meanwhile, the entire state of Texas is under tremendous pressure. Rankin says there are literally thousands of pools in some sort of disrepair and not enough product available locally to address the full scope of the problem, and not enough nationally to be much help. Every market around the country is experiencing unprecedented demand, which means that no one outside of the state can be much help to Texas.

“Everyone is doing everything they can to juggle product and fulfill the huge backlogs they already face…and it is the first week of April!”

Rankin says this situation is worse than 2020 because of what happened in Texas and the extra stress that has been placed on vendors and, by association, the urgency it has put on the entire industry.

“This may be one of those rare years where anything and everything that can be manufactured will be sold.”

LATEST NEWS
Homes with pools raise price and sell speed
News
Homes with pools raise price and sell speed
Demand for houses with swimming pools remains strong in warm weather states
June 30, 2025
By Marcelle Dibrell As summer begins to heat up, so does the U.S. housing market — though not evenly across the board. Buyers and sellers are navigati...
this is a test
News
Final summer survey results tallied
June 30, 2025
Each year, Service Industry News takes the pulse of the pool and spa service sector through our comprehensive survey, and in this final installment of...
this is a test
during the pandemic peak. This ….
News
during the pandemic peak. This ….
June 30, 2025
during the pandemic peak. This has resulted in a widening gap between buyers and sellers. According to Redfin, there are approximately 1.9 million sel...
this is a test
News
Chem exposure sends 5 to hospital
June 30, 2025
Several patrons at a residential community swimming pool in Apache Junction, Arizona, were sent to the hospital following a hazardous materials incide...
this is a test
News
New Jersey city pool workers arrested
June 30, 2025
A group of municipal pool workers in New Jersey has been arrested for allegedly stealing chemicals from the Secaucus town pool to support their privat...
this is a test
Gators swim to escape heat wave
News
Gators swim to escape heat wave
June 30, 2025
As summer heats up across the South, pool technicians are being reminded that it’s not just algae or cloudy water that can cause a service delay. Some...
this is a test
Read Our Newsletter
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Free Subscription
View Current Print Ads
Educational Announcements
Aquatic Training Institute

Educational Leverage

Foundation For Pool Industry Education

Locey Pool

Pool Chemistry Training Institute

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

Portofino University

Underwater Pool Masters
Trade Show Dates
  • The International Pool Spa Patio Expo
    Nov. 12-14, Dallas, Texas
  • The Pool and Spa Show
    Jan. 28-30, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • 35th Annual National Plasterers Conference
    Feb. 26-28, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
  • The Southwest Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 4-8, Houston, Texas
  • The Western Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 6-8, Long Beach, California
Books to Order
About Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy
We use cookies to ensure that our website gives you the best experience possible. By continuing to use this website, you agree to this use of cookies.OK