Less than two months ago, it looked as though Leslie’s (NASDAQ: LESL) might finally be turning a corner.

After reporting fiscal second-quarter earnings that weren’t nearly as bad as analysts had expected, the company’s stock staged an impressive comeback. Sales came in better than forecast, management pointed to gains from its value pricing strategy, and investors responded with renewed optimism that the retailer’s turnaround efforts might finally be taking hold.

“Compared to last year, in the second quarter, we delivered overall revenue growth of 4.3%, a comparable sales increase of 6.6%, improved year-over-year adjusted EBITDA by 26% and registered total customer count growth of 8%,” said CEO Jason McDonell.

The rally based on that news was dramatic.

On June 29, Leslie’s shares climbed as high as $10.76, giving investors hope that the company’s long slide might finally be over.

That optimism didn’t last.

A difficult summer selling season, continued pressure on the business, and renewed concerns about the company’s financial health quickly reversed the gains. Today, Leslie’s stock has fallen back to around $1.24 per share, wiping out nearly all of the momentum generated after its second-quarter earnings report.

The latest blow came after Bloomberg reported that Leslie’s has been evaluating a range of strategic alternatives to address its debt burden, including the possibility of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. According to people familiar with the discussions, the company has been negotiating privately with creditors in an effort to extend its debt obligations, although no final decision has reportedly been made.

It’s important to emphasize that, at this point, a bankruptcy filing remains only one of several options reportedly under consideration. Leslie’s has not announced plans to seek Chapter 11 protection, and the Bloomberg report indicates discussions with lenders are ongoing.

A Difficult Road to Recovery

Still, for a company that has spent the better part of two years fighting declining sales, shrinking margins, and mounting debt, the report reignited concerns that investors hoped had begun to subside.

Earlier this year, Leslie’s closed approximately 80 underperforming stores and one distribution center as part of an effort to streamline operations and reduce costs. Those closures followed another difficult fiscal first quarter marked by declining sales and continued losses, forcing management to accelerate its turnaround efforts.

The second quarter offered a measure of encouragement. Revenue exceeded Wall Street expectations, and management’s pricing initiatives appeared to be attracting customers back into stores. Investors interpreted the results as evidence that the turnaround strategy might finally be gaining traction.

But the broader operating environment hasn’t become any easier.

The pool industry continues to work through a post-pandemic normalization cycle after several years of unprecedented demand. Higher interest rates, persistent inflation, softer consumer discretionary spending, and unfavorable weather across several key markets have all weighed on pool construction, renovation activity, and retail sales. Those pressures have affected much of the industry, though companies with significant debt loads have faced an especially difficult balancing act.

Leslie’s isn’t the only brick-and-mortar retailer feeling the heat. Chains across a wide range of industries have struggled in recent years as consumers shifted more spending online, inflation squeezed discretionary purchases, and higher operating costs eroded margins. Those pressures have contributed to a growing list of high-profile retail bankruptcies, with Leslie’s now facing similar questions about its own future.

Chapter 11, should it ultimately become necessary, is designed to allow companies to restructure while continuing normal operations. Many retailers have emerged from the process with healthier balance sheets after reducing debt and renegotiating obligations. Industry observers have also noted that Leslie’s still possesses significant brand recognition, a nationwide retail footprint, and one of the largest customer databases in the swimming pool industry—assets that continue to hold value regardless of near-term financial challenges.

For investors, however, the lesson from this year’s dramatic rally may be a familiar one.

A sharp rebound in a heavily shorted stock can happen quickly when expectations become excessively pessimistic. Sustaining those gains requires evidence that the underlying business has fundamentally improved.

What Comes Next for Leslie’s

That remains the question facing Leslie’s.

When Pool Magazine covered the company’s reverse stock split last year, we noted that the move addressed Nasdaq’s listing requirements but did little to solve the operational issues driving the company’s decline. The challenges facing Leslie’s today suggest those concerns have not gone away.

The company’s struggles also reflect a much longer story. As Inc. recently detailed in its examination of Leslie’s rise and decline, years of private equity ownership, acquisitions, and a growing debt load left the retailer carrying significant financial obligations just as the post-pandemic pool boom began to cool. Those pressures have only intensified as consumers pulled back on discretionary spending and the industry returned to more normalized demand.

Whether Leslie’s ultimately restructures its balance sheet through negotiations with creditors, secures additional financing, or pursues Chapter 11 protection remains to be seen. For now, bankruptcy remains only one of several options reportedly under consideration.

What happens next won’t just matter to shareholders. As the nation’s largest dedicated pool retailer, Leslie’s future carries implications for manufacturers, distributors, service professionals, and consumers across the pool industry.

For a company that has served pool owners for more than six decades, the coming months may prove to be the most consequential in its history.

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Variable-speed pumps are the standard on nearly every pad now, thanks to the DOE efficiency rule that took effect in 2021 (Federal Register, DOE Energy Conservation Standards for Dedicated-Purpose Pool Pump Motors). Most pool professionals already know that story. What gets less attention is a more useful question: once a pump can run at any speed, what should it actually be basing that speed on?

The answer matters more than the mandate itself. A pump that sets its speed off an accurate, real-time flow measurement, rather than off a preset RPM or an estimate, doesn’t just save energy. It changes how well the heater, the filter, the sanitizer, and the plumbing all work together, because every one of those components was designed around a target flow rate, not a target speed.

The Physics Behind the Savings

The energy case for variable speed starts with the pump affinity laws. Flow rate scales roughly linearly with motor speed, but the power required to move that water scales with the cube of speed. Cut motor speed in half, and flow drops by half, while power consumption falls to roughly one-eighth of what it was (Pentair, “Pump Affinity Laws and Energy Savings”). That cubic relationship is why ENERGY STAR certified pool pumps are rated to use roughly 70% less energy than single-speed models over a season (ENERGY STAR, Pool Pumps).

That math only holds, though, if the pump actually knows what flow rate it’s producing. Running slower saves energy only when the resulting flow still does the job the system needs done. Guess wrong in either direction, too low and the water isn’t turning over or sanitizing properly, too high and the savings disappear, and the pump stops being an efficiency upgrade and starts being a liability.

Why an Accurate Flow Rate Changes Everything Downstream

Every piece of equipment on a pad, not just the pump, is engineered around a specific flow window, and that’s where basing pump operation on measured flow rather than estimated flow starts to pay off across the whole system.

Heat pumps and gas heaters have minimum and maximum GPM requirements. Fall outside that window and the equipment throws error codes, cycles inefficiently, or simply underperforms, wasting the energy it does use. Salt chlorine generators typically need roughly 20 to 25 GPM to activate the flow switch that tells them water is moving; a flow number that’s off by even a modest margin can mean a salt cell that isn’t producing chlorine consistently, even though the pump appears to be running fine. Sand and cartridge filters are rated for a specific flow rate per square foot of filtration area, and running above or below that rate affects both water clarity and how long the filter media lasts.

Turnover time (how long it takes to circulate a volume of water equal to the pool’s total capacity) ties all of this together. It’s the benchmark that determines whether sanitizer actually reaches the whole body of water on schedule, and it’s explicitly defined and capped for public pools under the CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code, the model framework many state and local health departments use (CDC, Model Aquatic Health Code). A pump that’s only holding a preset RPM has no way to confirm turnover is actually happening on schedule once a filter starts loading or a valve gets adjusted. A pump that’s tracking real flow can hold that target and adjust automatically as conditions change.

The compounding effect is the real story here. A system running on accurate flow data tends to need less chemical correction, because circulation stays consistent. It puts less strain on the motor and bearings, because the pump isn’t overworking to compensate for a resistance change it can’t see. It produces fewer callbacks for cloudy water or error codes, because the equipment stays inside its designed operating window instead of drifting out of it as the season goes on. None of those benefits show up on a spec sheet next to the wattage number, but they’re where a lot of the real value, and the avoided service calls, actually live.

What This Looks Like in Practice

Most variable-speed pumps today are open-loop: they hold whatever RPM was programmed in, regardless of what’s happening in the plumbing. Some newer models estimate flow indirectly, using motor load at a given speed compared against a factory-built pump curve. That’s an improvement over a bare RPM dial, but it’s still inference, not measurement, and it can drift as a filter loads or a motor ages.

One pump closes that loop directly. H2Flow Controls’ Nautis VSF pairs a built-in FlowVis flow meter with its Eco-Flow control system to hold a target GPM within roughly plus or minus 2%, adjusting motor speed automatically as real-world conditions shift rather than holding a fixed RPM. It’s a useful illustration of the underlying principle: when the pump’s decisions are based on the actual flow rate moving through the system, everything downstream, the heater, the filter, the sanitizer, the plumbing, benefits from it.

For installers and service techs, that’s the more useful question to bring into the next conversation about a pump replacement. Not just “is it variable speed,” but “what is it using to decide how fast to run?” The pump that knows its real flow rate is the one that keeps the rest of the system running the way it was designed to.

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For most people, Cammile Adams is synonymous with elite swimming. A two-time Olympian, Adams spent years competing at the highest level of the sport, where speed, endurance, and technique defined success.

Today, however, her priorities look very different.

As a mother and owner of a Houston swim school, Adams says the rules she enforces with her own children have very little to do with producing great swimmers. Instead, they’re designed to prevent tragedy.

With World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, Adams hopes families will rethink what water safety really means. Her message is simple: knowing how to swim is important, but it’s only one layer of protection.

Based on both her experience as an Olympic swimmer and as a mother, Adams recommends that every family adopt a few simple habits:

• Require children to ask permission before entering any pool, lake, beach, or other body of water—and never allow them to enter the water unless an adult is actively watching.
• Assign a dedicated “Water Watcher” whose only responsibility is supervising swimmers—no phones, no reading, and no distractions.
• Inspect safety barriers and rescue equipment regularly, including fences, self-latching gates, pool alarms, life rings, and reaching poles.
• Don’t mistake confidence for competence. A child who enjoys the water or has completed swim lessons may still lack the skills to recover from an emergency.
• Get in the water with young children whenever possible, especially while they’re still developing their swimming skills and judgment.
• Start swim lessons early, with infant and parent classes available as early as four months of age, to build water familiarity and foundational safety skills.

A Parent’s Perspective Changed Everything

“When I was training and competing, everything was about speed, technique, and performance—not about water safety,” said Adams.

“Becoming a parent shifted my focus entirely.”

Today, whenever she sees a swimming pool, lake, or even a bathtub, she views it through a different lens.

“I’m thinking, ‘If something unexpected happened, would my child or another child in the body of water know what to do?'”

Rather than simply teaching children to float, Adams wants them to actively move toward safety.

“We never want a child to be able to just jump in and float. That will do them no good at some point. We want them moving towards safety.”

Swim Lessons Are Just the First Step

Most parents walking into Adams’ swim school for the first time already know they’re learning from a two-time Olympian. But what she hears from them is often the same:

“We don’t want our child to be a competitive swimmer—we just want them to be safe in the water.”

It’s a response Adams has become used to hearing.

“As a mom, I completely understand that,” she said. “Even though swimming took me to the Olympics and will always be a huge part of my life, that’s not what I want parents to focus on. The most important thing to me is that every child learns to be safe, confident, and capable in the water.”

Swim lessons, she emphasizes, are not about creating elite athletes—they’re about giving children the skills and judgment they need to survive.

Even then, she cautions, lessons are only one piece of the puzzle.

“Swim lessons are one of the best things you can do for your child, but they don’t make a child drown-proof,” Adams said. “Sometimes, as kids become more comfortable and confident in the water, parents naturally start to relax a little—and that’s when it’s most important to stay vigilant.”

Starting Kids Off Early

As childhood drowning has become the leading cause of death for young children in the United States, more parents are introducing their children to swim lessons at an earlier age. Adams says many families are surprised to learn those lessons can begin as early as four months old.

That doesn’t mean infants are learning to swim laps. Instead, she says early lessons are designed to build water familiarity while laying the foundation for self-rescue skills that develop over time.

“At that age, we’re not teaching different strokes,” Adams explained. “We’re building water familiarity and the foundational skills that lead to self-rescue later, like comfort with submersion, learning to roll and float.”

She says one of the biggest misconceptions is that parents expect babies to come out of lessons effectively knowing how to swim.

“That’s not the goal. The goal is removing fear and building the base that everything else gets built on.”

Parent-and-child classes also teach moms and dads how to safely introduce children to the water and reinforce pool safety habits from the very beginning.

But Adams cautions that starting early—or even years of swim lessons—should never create a false sense of security.

Water Confidence Can Create a False Sense of Security

One of Adams’ biggest concerns is the misconception that a child who appears comfortable in the water is automatically prepared for an emergency.

“I see it all the time,” she said. “A child who has had swimming lessons might jump into the pool without hesitation, smile the whole time, or want to swim on their own. To a parent, that can look like they’re completely capable in the water. But confidence and competence are two very different things.”

Children who feel confident in the water are often the most likely to jump in without thinking—especially if they believe they already know how to swim. That’s why Adams strongly reinforces a non-negotiable rule: children must ask permission and confirm that an adult is actively watching before entering the water.

A child may willingly jump into a pool yet lack the skills necessary to recover if something unexpected happens.

“They may not know how to recover after jumping in awkwardly, roll onto their back to rest, or make it safely to the wall.”

Rather than simply rescuing her own children at the first sign of difficulty, Adams uses controlled situations as teaching moments.

“I’m constantly asking, ‘What’s your plan?’ I want them to think before they act.”

One Adult, One Job

If Adams could convince every family to adopt just one new habit today, it would be assigning a dedicated Water Watcher whenever children are around water.

“There needs to be one adult whose only job is to watch the kids—no phone, no reading, no conversations that pull your attention away,” she said.
“The reason I’m so passionate about this is that most drownings don’t happen when no one is around. They happen when everyone assumes someone else is watching.”

In group settings, Adams recommends rotating the Water Watcher every 15 to 20 minutes to help maintain focus.

“It’s such a simple thing to do, but it’s one of the most effective ways to keep kids safe around water.”

Water Safety Works Best in Layers

As communities observe World Drowning Prevention Day, Adams hopes parents remember one simple principle: no single precaution is enough.

“One of the biggest mistakes I see is parents feeling like they can relax once their child has had swim lessons,” she said.
“I always tell families to think about water safety in layers.”

Those layers include swim lessons, attentive supervision, secure fencing and self-latching gates, and emergency preparedness.

“When those layers work together, that’s when you’re giving your child the best protection possible.”

For Adams, that’s the lesson that matters most.

“No single layer is enough on its own. Even kids who swim well still need someone watching them, because accidents can happen to anyone. That’s why I never let my guard down with my own kids, and it’s the same advice I give every family who walks through our doors.”

Featured Photo Credit: Safe Splash Swim School

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Pentair Pool, an industry-leading provider of residential and commercial pool solutions, today announced the launch of a new water safety webpage at Pentair.com/pool-spa/landing/ndpa-homeowner . The page, launched in partnership with the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), recognizes the organizations’ Commitment To Safer Waters Partnership — a joint effort designed to strengthen the pool industry’s collective role in advancing water safety education and drowning prevention.

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of preventable death for children, and the pool industry is uniquely positioned to help change that through consistent, trusted safety messaging at every level of the customer experience. Through their partnership, Pentair Pool and the NDPA are helping raise the bar for how the pool industry approaches safety. This includes working to unify the pool industry around a common language for safety, while empowering pool professionals to lead trusted safety conversations with the families they serve, and expand the reach of drowning prevention efforts nationwide. Together, the organizations are demonstrating what’s possible when the pool industry treats safety not as an add-on, but as a shared commitment.

“Safety is of the utmost importance to the pool industry, and supporting this program is one meaningful way we can stand alongside NDPA,” said Kenneth Gregory, Compliance and Safety Manager for Pentair Pool. “We’re proud to partner with the National Drowning Prevention Alliance to help advance water safety initiatives and reinforce best practices that help protect families and communities stay safe around water. NDPA’s focus on education, prevention, and accountability aligns closely with our own commitment to helping the world safely and sustainably enjoy water.”

As the inaugural Platinum Partner of the NDPA’s Commitment to Safer Waters program, Pentair Pool is committed to demonstrating how manufacturers can create innovative pool products, while also helping to advance water safety education.The partnership is built on the belief that manufacturers, pool professionals, retailers, and safety advocates all have a role to play in creating safer aquatic environments, and that when the industry speaks with a shared voice, water safety becomes a more consistent and lasting part of the pool ownership experience.

“Pool pros are trusted to be in people’s backyards, and they are trusted messengers,” said Alissa Magrum, Executive Director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. “Being able to have conversations about safety in a way that shows your customers that you care about the safety of their family and sharing drowning prevention resources is how pool professionals can make an incredible impact on their clients and the communities they serve.” Said Alissa Magrum, Executive Director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.

National Drowning Prevention Week serves as an important moment for the pool industry to align around this shared responsibility. Learn more at Pentair Pool’s Pool Safety Resources and Training page.

About Pentair Pool

At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and business solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

As an industry leader in the pool and spa space, Pentair Pool is driven to help people safely and sustainably enjoy water. Our solutions include industry-leading pumps, automation, lighting, heating, and filtration technology that help our customers enjoy a smarter and more sustainable pool. Customer success is at the heart of our vision for bringing family and friends together in the pool and on the deck to build social connections, create lifelong memories, and help promote fitness and enjoyment. For more information, visit www.pentairpool.com.

About the National Drowning Prevention Alliance

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) is a nonprofit organization with a mission of elevating awareness to educate, advocate, innovate, and equip to prevent drownings.

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Athens, TN, July 2026 — Bull Outdoor Products, a leading designer and manufacturer of premium outdoor kitchen products, today announced the appointment of Gabe Rosamano as Vice President of Sales. Rosamano joined the company on June 29, 2026, and is currently in a structured six-month transition alongside outgoing Vice President of Sales and Marketing Frank Mello, who is retiring after a distinguished career with Bull.

Rosamano brings more than 19 years of experience from POOLCORP, one of the world’s largest wholesale distributors of swimming pool and outdoor products. During his tenure, he held a series of progressively senior roles including Senior National Sales Manager for the FX / Ecommerce Division, Senior Product Manager, National Product Manager for Grills & Outdoor Kitchens, Sales Center Manager, and Sales Business Development. His extensive background in outdoor living products, dealer and distributor relationships, and national sales strategy positions him well to lead Bull’s continued growth.

“Gabe’s depth of experience in outdoor living and his track record of building strong sales teams and customer partnerships make him exactly the right leader for this role,” said Mark Nureddine, CEO of Bull Outdoor Products.

“We are also immensely proud of what Frank Mello has built over the years. His leadership shaped our sales culture and the enduring relationships we hold with our partners and customers. We wish him every happiness in retirement.”

The leadership transition reflects Bull’s proactive approach to succession planning. Mello’s retirement marks the close of an 18-year, impactful chapter in the company’s history. Under his leadership, Bull expanded its dealer and distributor network and deepened relationships across the outdoor kitchen and grilling industry.

“Bull Outdoor Products has an exceptional reputation for craftsmanship, innovation, and customer relationships, and I’m honored to join a team that takes those values so seriously,” said Rosamano.

“I look forward to working alongside the Bull team to strengthen our dealer and distributor partnerships and drive sustainable growth across our channels.”

Alongside the sales leadership transition, Wade Fortin will continue to lead the company’s marketing operations, ensuring brand consistency and momentum as Bull advances its product lineup and market presence.

Bull Outdoor Products continues to invest in leadership and operational excellence as part of its long-term growth strategy in the premium outdoor kitchen and grilling segment.

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Pool professionals can now manage their entire purchasing workflow, from quote to order, without leaving Skimmer.

Austin, TX — July 21, 2026 — Skimmer, America’s leading pool service platform, and Heritage Pool Supply Group today announced the next phase of their strategic partnership: direct ordering for pool service professionals inside Skimmer.

For pool professionals, the job doesn’t end at the equipment pad. Sourcing parts, pricing out repairs, and tracking orders across multiple systems takes time that could be spent serving customers. This integration changes that. Pool and spa professionals can now move from a customer’s approved quote to a placed Heritage order without leaving Skimmer, keeping purchasing tied to the work it supports and cutting out the back-and-forth between disconnected systems.

The result is a faster path from diagnosis to repair. Quotes go out with live Heritage pricing, so professionals protect their margins without guessing on cost. Orders connect to the right job, so billing stays accurate and nothing falls through the cracks. And with order status visible in one place, there’s no more chasing down whether a part has shipped or is ready for pickup.

“When we launched our partnership with Heritage, we said it was just the beginning,” said Jack Nelson, CEO at Skimmer. “Pool and spa professionals can now move from a customer’s approved quote to a placed Heritage order without leaving the platform, which means less time on administrative tasks and more time actually running their business.”

“At Heritage, everything we do is focused on helping our customers succeed,” said Scott Frost, President of Heritage Pool Supply Group. “By bringing live inventory, ordering, and job workflows together in one place, we’re helping our shared customers spend less time managing purchases and more time serving their own customers.”

This launch delivers on the roadmap the two companies outlined when their partnership was first announced. By combining Heritage’s distribution footprint—more than 160 locations across 36 states—with Skimmer’s purpose-built software for pool service operations, the partnership continues to reduce the manual work of running a service business.

Learn more about the Skimmer–Heritage Pool Supply integration. 

About Skimmer

Skimmer is America’s #1 pool service platform.

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 www.getskimmer.com.

About Heritage Pool Supply Group

Heritage Pool Supply Group has grown to become one of the largest and fastest-growing pool supply distributors in the United States. Since its inception in 2021, Heritage has established a differentiated growth strategy and entrepreneurial culture focused on serving customers, partnering with suppliers, and attracting the industry’s best talent. Heritage currently operates under a family of distinct local brands encompassing more than 170 locations across 37 states. Heritage Pool Supply Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of SRS Distribution Inc.

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Pentair has appointed former Chief Financial Officer Bob Fishman as Interim Executive Vice President and CFO following the departure of Nicholas Brazis, who left the company on July 10 to pursue an opportunity with a private company. The company has launched a search for a permanent successor while Fishman assumes the role effective immediately.

Fishman previously served as Pentair’s Executive Vice President and CFO for six years before stepping away from the position earlier this year. His return comes as the company works through a challenging period for its pool segment, which has experienced significantly weaker-than-anticipated demand resulting from continued inventory reductions throughout the distribution channel.

“Our Board and leadership team are pleased to have Bob Fishman rejoin Pentair on an interim basis as we conduct a search for his successor. During Bob’s six year tenure at Pentair, he helped to strengthen our financial foundation and enhance our operating discipline. Given his deep financial expertise, clear understanding of our business and strong relationships across Pentair and the financial community, I am confident he will step back in seamlessly as we execute on our key strategic and financial priorities to build long-term value,” said John L. Stauch, Pentair President and Chief Executive Officer.

Fishman also commented on his return.

“I’m excited to return to Pentair and support the company during this transition. Pentair has a strong portfolio, talented team and clear strategy for long-term success. I’m optimistic about the opportunities ahead and look forward to working alongside John and the team to support disciplined execution and create value for our customers, shareholders and employees.”

Pool Business Drives Revised Outlook

Alongside the executive announcement, Pentair released preliminary second-quarter financial expectations and lowered its full-year outlook, citing more aggressive inventory reductions across the pool distribution channel than previously anticipated. The company now expects full-year sales to decline between 4% and 7%, compared to its earlier forecast calling for 2% to 4% growth.

According to Pentair, channel destocking is expected to reduce pool segment sales by approximately $250 million during 2026, with an estimated $155 million impact on pool segment income. The company also noted that second-quarter pool sales were significantly affected by inventory adjustments made by major channel partners amid softer market conditions.

Despite the near-term slowdown, Pentair said it is taking steps to strengthen the pool business by working more closely with dealers, distributors and service professionals while accelerating new product development and expanding technical support resources. The company maintained that it continues to hold a leading position in energy-efficient and connected pool technologies and expects market conditions to normalize heading into the 2027 pool season.

Stauch emphasized the company’s confidence in the long-term outlook despite current market conditions.

“We believe these headwinds are temporary and we are taking decisive actions to adapt the business to current demand levels while positioning it to return to normalized performance in 2027. We are confident that these actions will bring us closer to our dealers, accelerate innovation and drive long-term growth. Our pool business is an industry leader with a premier brand, strong customer base, and a large install base, with leading positions in energy-efficient and smart connected pool technologies. Importantly, our flow and water solutions segments performed generally in line with expectations as we continue to successfully execute our growth agenda, demonstrating the strength and balance of our portfolio.”

Fishman expressed confidence that the company remains well positioned as it works through current market conditions.

“We have assessed our full year forecast and feel confident that we can execute successfully in 2026 and position ourselves for significant growth in 2027. With a solid balance sheet, strong cash flow, a balanced capital deployment strategy and a resilient business model, we remain well positioned to deliver long-term shareholder value.”

Pentair is scheduled to release its complete second-quarter financial results and provide additional commentary on its outlook during its earnings call on July 28.

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HASA Inc., a leading producer and distributor of high-quality water treatment solutions, today announced the acquisition of Bio–Dex Laboratories, Inc. (“Bio–Dex” or the “Company”), a trusted manufacturer of professional-grade swimming pool and spa maintenance chemicals based in Phoenix, AZ. 

Bio–Dex is widely recognized across the pool service professional industry for its reputation for quality, reliability, and effectiveness. The Company’s portfolio of specialty solutions includes products designed to address common and complex water treatment challenges such as algae prevention, staining, and water clarity. The acquisition represents a strategic addition to HASA’s growing portfolio of ancillary products, further enhancing its ability to serve pool service professionals with a comprehensive suite of solutions to maintain Safe, Clean, and Clear water.

“We are excited to welcome the Bio–Dex brand to the HASA family,” said Chris Brink, President and CEO of HASA Inc. “The Company’s strong reputation for quality and performance makes it a natural fit as HASA continues to expand our extensive portfolio of premium, high-performance products to ensure the healthiest, most beautiful pools. Together, we will deliver even greater value to pool professionals—and the customers they serve—across the country.” 

Bio–Dex products are broadly utilized by pool professionals and known for their ability to simplify maintenance and improve water clarity. The Company has built a strong legacy within the industry, with decades of experience delivering targeted, high-performance chemical solutions for a wide variety of pool maintenance needs. Its products are designed for both chlorine and saltwater pool use—and proactively help prevent issues such as unwanted calcium buildup, metal staining, and cloudy water, while reinforcing overall protection for pool surfaces and equipment. Following this acquisition, Bio-Dex products will continue to be available through existing channels while HASA works to expand access through its broad manufacturing and distribution network.

“Bio-Dex has been our life’s work and a multigenerational family business built over more than 60 years,” said Lori Brumagin, Managing Partner of Bio-Dex. “Grounded in faith, integrity, strong relationships, and a commitment to serving the pool industry, Bio-Dex has always been about more than the products we make. We are deeply grateful to our employees, customers, suppliers, and industry partners who have helped make this journey possible. We are confident HASA will continue the Bio-Dex tradition of quality and service, and Ian and I look forward to seeing the opportunities this partnership creates in the industry we have proudly served for decades.”

Angela Tran, Chief Strategy Officer for HASA Inc., added: “Bio–Dex’s product quality and performance record within the industry aligns closely with HASA’s strategy to grow both specialty and ancillary products. Their trusted brand and proven solutions strengthen our overall product offering and create meaningful opportunities to expand our reach to the extensive network of pool professionals we proudly serve—enhancing overall depth of offering and customer value.” 

For the past six decades, HASA has been committed to providing premium liquid sodium hypochlorite to the water care industry. For more information about the organization and its wide range of product offerings, please visit www.hasa.com.

About HASA Inc.

HASA Inc. is a leading producer and distributor of high-quality water treatment products for sanitizing and maintaining water systems across recreational, industrial, and municipal end markets. Founded in 1964, HASA provides safe, effective, and sustainable water treatment solutions through its extensive manufacturing and distribution network, helping ensure water is always “Safe, Clean, and Clear.” 

About Bio–Dex Laboratories, Inc.

Bio–Dex Laboratories, Inc. is a trusted manufacturer of professional-grade pool and spa chemicals, recognized for delivering reliable, high-quality solutions to pool service professionals for over five decades. The Company offers a wide range of specialty products, including algaecides, stain and scale removers, clarifiers, and water treatment solutions designed to improve water quality, extend equipment life, and simplify pool maintenance. Lance Meilech is the sell-side M&A investment banker representing Bio-Dex. For more information, visit www.Bio-Dex.com.

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SPS PoolCare, the largest swimming pool services company in the United States, celebrated its fifth anniversary by completing its acquisition of Good Boy Pool Services and reaching the milestone of 50,000 recurring maintenance customers.  The acquisition expands SPS PoolCare’s service area to the Atlanta market and marks more than 220 acquisitions since its founding.

Backed by Storr Group, SPS PoolCare operates across Texas, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia, serving more than 50,000 weekly recurring residential and commercial customers and performing over 2.5 million pool services annually. SPS PoolCare leverages technology to streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and elevate the customer experience across every market it serves.

“This anniversary marks five years of building something the pool industry has never seen before, and our Atlanta market expansion with Good Boy Pool Services is proof that we are not slowing down,” said Lance Martin, CEO of SPS PoolCare. “Our exceptional team and technology-forward approach gives us the tools to grow quickly while never losing sight of what matters most: delivering exceptional service to every customer, every time.”

SPS PoolCare’s growth trajectory includes recent landmark acquisitions of Pool Troopers and the majority of the pool service operations of Amenity Pool Services, two of the largest pool service companies in the United States.  Those acquisitions significantly expanded SPS PoolCare’s geographic presence across the Sunbelt, added thousands of new customers, and established the foundation for the company’s continued expansion into new markets, including Atlanta.

“Five years ago, we set out with a simple goal: build the most trusted pool services company in the country,” said Fraser Ramseyer, Founder of SPS PoolCare and Founder and CEO of Storr Group. “More than 220 acquisitions later, that mission remains unchanged. Every business that joins SPS strengthens our ability to invest in our people, technology, and local operations while preserving the customer relationships that made those businesses successful.”

SPS PoolCare continues to pursue acquisitions in existing and new markets as it works toward becoming the most comprehensive pool services platform in the nation.

About SPS PoolCare:

As the #1 swimming-pool services company in the United States, SPS PoolCare is on track to perform over 2,500,000 weekly recurring pool services in 2026 and employs more than 1,300 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. Storr Group has offices in West Palm Beach, New York City, and Austin. To partner today, visit storrgroup.com

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Connecting her high-performance swimming with a love of water and a new sense of well-being

Gemma Mengual is one of the most outstanding figures in Spanish sport. An Olympic medalist and a legend of artistic, synchronized swimming, her career has been marked by talent, discipline, and a deep connection with water. RENOLIT decided to partner with this outstanding athlete to highlight the connection between swimming and long-term wellness benefits of pools for swimmers at all levels.
Mengual’s collaboration with RENOLIT ALKORPLAN stems from a genuine affinity between two ways of understanding water: as a source of well-being, personal expression, and daily refuge. Mengual finds in RENOLIT a brand that shares her vision: attending to every detail, valuing what is essential, and transforming aquatic spaces into an extension of her lifestyle.

Born in Barcelona, Mengual is a synchronized swimmer whose record includes 17 gold, 18 silver, and 12 bronze medals awarded at a long list of world championships, European championships, as well the Summer Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008. After her retirement in 2012 she began coaching the Spanish national synchronized swim team. She also returned from retirement to complete in the World Championships in Kazan, Russia, in the mixed duet competition with Pau Ribes as well as at the Olympics in Rio in 2016 where she competed in a duet alongside Ona Caronell.  

After a life defined by the demands of sports, Gemma has discovered a new way of experiencing the water. Today, Mengual enjoys her swimming pool that uses RENOLIT’s reinforced PVC membrane in the VOGUE Vintage design.  Today Mengual says she feels freer, more mindful, and focused on connecting with herself. 

Water as a daily ritual

Today, far from the demands of her early swimming career, she maintains that connection from a new perspective, one in which balance, well-being, and beauty occupy a central place in her life.  

 From high performance to a new well-being 

“My pool is my refuge, my balance, my way of reconnecting with myself. ”

Today, the water is her daily space of active calm: a ritual that allows her to breathe, awaken her body, and begin the day with clarity and presence.  

For Gemma, water remains a space of connection. It’s a moment of pause and renewal, where the body awakens and the mind clears. Far from the noise, water becomes a refuge that sets the rhythm of her day: a ritual that balances, oxygenates, and restores presence.

RENOLIT has produced a three-part video series about Mengual that inspires well-being, balance and beauty. 

Learn more about the Mengual x RENOLIT partnership.

More information about RENOLIT’s partnership and products can be found here.

Contact:  

Email:  pool@renolit.com

LaPorte, Indiana

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