Hot Spring Abs Substructure / Plastic Frame

[JOKERSOAKER]

How come Hot Spring no longer offers the ABS substructure/plastic frame option. I noticed any mention of it was removed from their website. Further, I called their customer service number, and they said it may be available again in the future. Anybody know why they discontinued this option...cost, problems, not popular...? I thought it was a stellar idea, and a whole new song and dance to compete with.

[East TX Spa]

No problems with it but the current design is not compatible with long-term changes planned. I'm looking forward to seeing what will come next!

Termie

[Kenny W]

Since Masco is losing tons of money they are changing alot. No Tiger River spas, consolidating lines. I imagine it was a cost saving move and the tubs will be made with same wood structure that the others are made with. It was a good idea but didn't seem to pan out.

[PoolSpaGuy30]

yes the ABS structure that was available on 2 models is being discontinued...there is a new type of structure/framing in the works but no time-line given for release date

[hottubdan]

Since Masco is losing tons of money they are changing alot. No Tiger River spas, consolidating lines. I imagine it was a cost saving move and the tubs will be made with same wood structure that the others are made with. It was a good idea but didn't seem to pan out.

Masco may be losing money, but Watkins is quite profitable, thank you.

[Poolman18]

I had actually heard , not sure if it was rumour or not , that Masco was at one time of thinking of spinning off Watkins to stand alone. This has nothing to do with there quality ,it is just a reality of market conditions

[Kenny W]

Since Masco is losing tons of money they are changing alot. No Tiger River spas, consolidating lines. I imagine it was a cost saving move and the tubs will be made with same wood structure that the others are made with. It was a good idea but didn't seem to pan out.

Masco may be losing money, but Watkins is quite profitable, thank you.

How do you know this? Watkins is part of Masco and everything is one annual report. Spa sales are way down for everyone. If Watkins is making money it goes back to Masco.

[Poolman18]

Masco Fourth Quarter and Year End Results will be releases Feb 15 at 8:00 AM

[Poolman18]

Just for the curious

Masco Corporation Reports 2010 Results

2010 Full-Year Commentary

•Sales declined three percent to $7.6 billion.

•Results for key financial measures, as adjusted for certain items (see Exhibit A) and with a normalized tax rate of 36 percent, compared to the full-year of 2009 were as follows:

•Gross profit margins were 26.4 percent compared to 26.5 percent.

•Operating profit margins were 5.7 percent compared to 5.6 percent.

•Income was $.16 per common share compared to $.31 per common share.

•(Loss) from continuing operations, as reported was $(3.00) per common share compared to $(.41) per common share for the full-year of 2009.

•We recorded a valuation allowance related to U.S. deferred tax assets and an impairment charge for goodwill and other intangible assets. These charges reduced our reported earnings by $(2.76) per common share for the full-year and fourth quarter of 2010.

•Working capital as a percent of sales improved to 13.4 percent at December 31, 2010, compared to 14.7 percent at December 31, 2009.

•Free cash flow (cash from operations, less capital expenditures, before dividends) approximated $290 million.

•We ended 2010 with over $1.7 billion of cash.

Taylor, Mich., (February 14, 2011) - Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS) today reported that net sales from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased three percent to $7.6 billion. North American sales decreased three percent and International sales were flat. In local currencies, International sales increased five percent compared with 2009.

Income from continuing operations was $.16 per common share and $.31 per common share for 2010 and 2009, respectively, excluding the items in Exhibit A and with a normalized tax rate of 36 percent. Including these items, loss from continuing operations, as reported was $(3.00) per common share and $(.41) per common share for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

"Industry conditions in 2010 continued to be challenging and it was a tough year for Masco.In many ways 2010 was a tale of two halves. We came out of 2009 with good momentum and our sales in the first half of 2010 were up two percent. As the year progressed, the expiration of the home buyer tax credit, increasing commodity costs and the competitive environment made the second half of 2010 much more challenging and our sales were down seven percent compared to second half 2009. Our installation and cabinet businesses which are tied to new home construction and "big ticket" repair and remodel activity were particularly hard hit. We are encouraged that in a difficult environment, our full-year adjusted gross margins (26.4 percent) and operating profit (5.7 percent) were essentially flat with 2009 even though sales were down three percent. We accomplished a lot in 2010 as we focused on strengthening our brands and improving our execution. We continued to implement the Masco Business System (MBS) across the enterprise, introduced innovative new products including Delta®Touch20® faucets, Arrow® RED® line of staplers, and Kilz® Pro-X™ paint, and enhanced our financial flexibility, ending the year with $1.7 billion of cash," said Masco's CEO Tim Wadhams.

We continue to focus on the rationalization of our businesses, including business consolidations, plant closures, headcount reductions, system implementations and other initiatives. During 2010 and 2009, we incurred costs and charges of $208 million pre-tax ($.38 per common share, after tax) and $94 million pre-tax ($.17 per common share, after tax), respectively, related to these initiatives.