Industry Sales Figures

[wesj53]

I purchased a spa about 3 weeks ago and have been on these sites for over a month now. I keep hearing (including from dealers that I visited) that HS (Watkins) is the world's largest producer of spas. Unfortunately, I have never seen any hard data to back up that claim. Does anyone know of any published information as to industry sales by mfg? Does it even exist? If not, then how does anyone know the size and/or the number of units mfgs are producing annually? Please supply any websites that could help.

[Dr. Spa]

There is no date available to the general public.

I purchased a spa about 3 weeks ago and have been on these sites for over a month now. I keep hearing (including from dealers that I visited) that HS (Watkins) is the world's largest producer of spas. Unfortunately, I have never seen any hard data to back up that claim. Does anyone know of any published information as to industry sales by mfg? Does it even exist? If not, then how does anyone know the size and/or the number of units mfgs are producing annually? Please supply any websites that could help.

[Hot H2o]

I purchased a spa about 3 weeks ago and have been on these sites for over a month now. I keep hearing (including from dealers that I visited) that HS (Watkins) is the world's largest producer of spas. Unfortunately, I have never seen any hard data to back up that claim. Does anyone know of any published information as to industry sales by mfg? Does it even exist? If not, then how does anyone know the size and/or the number of units mfgs are producing annually? Please supply any websites that could help.

You've got to be kidding me. Hot Spring is HUGE. Its been around for years. www.hotspring.com

[flibotte]

If you were interested in Hotsprings stats you could probably check the company that owns them Masco Corp. They are publiclly traded company and as such they may have this info in quarterly/yearly reports. Not sure if any of the other spa companies are public or not.

[wesj53]

If you were interested in Hotsprings stats you could probably check the company that owns them Masco Corp. They are publiclly traded company and as such they may have this info in quarterly/yearly reports. Not sure if any of the other spa companies are public or not.

I'm just not interested in HS figures but rather for the entire industry. If the automotive industry can track it's units sold, certainly this one can do the same. I realize of course that some of the players are privately controlled firms and therefore may not want to release their sales figures. My only point for bringing up the subject is that there are a lot of posts that talk about this or that company being a small or major player when there are NO PUBLISHED FIGURES FOR ANY OF THEM!!!

[spatech (the unreal one)]

I purchased a spa about 3 weeks ago and have been on these sites for over a month now. I keep hearing (including from dealers that I visited) that HS (Watkins) is the world's largest producer of spas. Unfortunately, I have never seen any hard data to back up that claim. Does anyone know of any published information as to industry sales by mfg? Does it even exist? If not, then how does anyone know the size and/or the number of units mfgs are producing annually? Please supply any websites that could help.

It seems widely accepted (meaning I never really see it disputed) that HS/Caldera (Watkins) is at the top with Sundance/Jacuzzi the obvious second spa maker by volume. I suppose a lot of that is based on industry tribal knowledge and probably going off # of dealers out there. Maybe Cal after that but it gets real sketchy and you have plenty of others that probably are close to each other like Coleman, D1, Marquis, Master, Artesian, Arctic, etc. Thermospas will claim to be the #1 retailer as they are mostly direct rather than through dealers and I gotta believe they bank on people to confusing that with #1 spa maker but who knows where they really rank (although I saw their add yesterday and it did say they were the world's most energy efficient spa and we all know they couldn't say that unless it were true ).

[Chas]

Thermospas will claim to be the #1 retailer as they are mostly direct rather than through dealers

That is an important note. Tspas is the largest retailer of hot tubs, because they are pretty much just one retail source for all their tubs, with a few scattered dealers.

Cal Spa used to claim to be the world's largest maker of Acrylic Hot Tubs - until Watkins began offering Acrylic as an option.

"Worlds' largest maker of purple spas with only one seat and no siding" is still available, I think...

But to answer the question, no there are no published numbers. The vendors to whom I have spoken - people who truck in material, people who sell parts or raw materials, people who used to provide them with covers (Sunstar) and others will all confirm to an industry insider that Watkins is far and away the largest.

But if you want a web site to go see that on, sorry. Of course, Watkins is very proud of the fact that they have sold over 800,000 tubs since about 1977 - so there's a hard number for you to start with.

[wesj53]

You've got to be kidding me. Hot Spring is HUGE. Its been around for years. www.hotspring.com

Once again HotH2o you display your ignorance by not even coming close to understanding the question and therefore your stupid answer.

That is an important note. Tspas is the largest retailer of hot tubs, because they are pretty much just one retail source for all their tubs, with a few scattered dealers.

Cal Spa used to claim to be the world's largest maker of Acrylic Hot Tubs - until Watkins began offering Acrylic as an option.

"Worlds' largest maker of purple spas with only one seat and no siding" is still available, I think...

But to answer the question, no there are no published numbers. The vendors to whom I have spoken - people who truck in material, people who sell parts or raw materials, people who used to provide them with covers (Sunstar) and others will all confirm to an industry insider that Watkins is far and away the largest.

But if you want a web site to go see that on, sorry. Of course, Watkins is very proud of the fact that they have sold over 800,000 tubs since about 1977 - so there's a hard number for you to start with.

Thanks Chas for that intelligent answer. As an insurance agent, I know that insurance companies - whether they're public stock or private mutuals - report their annual premium volumes as a matter of practice. I know of other industries do also, like automotive. So, it was my curiousity at work to make me wonder why this industry doesn't work the same way. And I would probably tend to agree with you that Watkins and Jacuzzi/Sundance are probably at the top just by my unscientific look at the Chicago market where those 2 have the largest dealer network. Most of the other major brands have far fewer retail outlets. Thanks.