Haviland Pool & Spa Products — makers of eight pool and spa chemical lines including ProTeam, Nature’s Care and Stain Drop — acquired Blue Excess of Chandler, Arizona. The manufacturing and warehouse facility will become Haviland Pool & Spa Southwest.
“I’m pleased to welcome this Southwest-based business to our Haviland family,” says Art Harre, vice president of sales and marketing of parent company Haviland Enterprises, Inc. “This acquisition aligns with our strategy to expand Haviland’s capabilities as well as our geographic locations. Ultimately, it will benefit the customer experience.”
HSW will be utilizing its tableting, blending and packaging capabilities to strengthen the processes and products of Haviland’s existing business groups.
Founded by Blaine Mills, Blue Excess has been contracting chemical blends for regional and national pool and spa customers since 2013. Mills will continue managing operations at the Chandler facility.
“We’ve worked with Haviland for a number of years, so we know the quality of the employees and company,” Mills says. “It’s a positive move for everyone. And being an employee owned ESOP company means a lot. It means we’re all in this together.”
Rick Rupert has also been hired as the mid-Atlantic regional sales manager for the company. Rupert is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in everything from chemical sales and service to distribution. Rupert will be responsible for managing Haviland’s mid-Atlantic distribution network as well as supplying product sales and service support for Haviland’s pool and spa chemical lines.
“We know the level of service Rick brings to the customer,” says David O’Brien, national sales manager at Haviland. “He works tirelessly to get in front of his customers to provide answers face to face. Our distributors know him well too. He’ll be a major asset for them.”
