In Control and On Course 

Waterway Plastics, a family-owned manufacturing company, has been designing, engineering and producing its line of pool and spa products in Oxnard, California, since 1973. 

Known for its range of pumps, filters, white goods and accessories, the company’s commitment to remaining American-made has let it swiftly adapt to tariff challenges while maintaining affordable pricing. 

Waterway Plastics offers a comprehensive portfolio of pool equipment and components designed for both residential and commercial use. Its product line includes high-performance pumps, such as the Power Defender and Champion series, and efficient filtration systems like the Crystal Water cartridge and DE filters. The company also supplies valves, drains, fittings, skimmers and return fittings, in addition to jets, unions and other plumbing essentials. These products are engineered to meet the durability and performance standards demanded by pool professionals, with many of them manufactured entirely in-house at the company’s Oxnard facility.

Morgan Burdick, vice president of sales for Waterway Plastics’ pool division, often hears the same question regarding tariffs and U.S.-based manufacturing: “Does being an American-made company help you during these times?” Burdick posits. “It does.” 

But even U.S.-based manufacturers like Waterway must source some components from abroad.

“There’s an assumption made by both distribution and dealers that because we’re an American-made company, tariffs either shouldn’t affect us, or we would be exempt from tariffs,” Burdick says. “Everything from screws to the dam clamps on our filters to some of the pressure gauges that we use — they’re just products that flat out aren’t available domestically. Any manufacturer, regardless of where you’re headquartered or where the majority of your production takes place, still has to rely heavily on the supply chain.”

Power Defender 165 Variable-Speed Pump
This pump features a large handle on the back to pick it up and carry it from the driveway to the backyard. Base kits come in every pump box to ensure compatibility with existing equipment. 

Other features include: 
Pressure rated up to 50 PSI
Automatically detects and adjusts to 230V or 115V power
Maintains horsepower at both voltages
High-performance, ultraquiet motor maximizes energy savings 
DOE- and CEC-compliant
Built-in freeze protection
Durable silicon carbide Viton shaft seal resists wear and harsh chemicals
Comes with two self-aligning pump unions

Burdick says Waterway’s U.S. base and family-owned structure let it pivot quickly, with more control over how those choices are made. He describes the decision-making process as being “much closer to the street,” meaning leadership is directly involved, making the company’s actions more pragmatic and responsive.

“It lends to a lot more control over not only the product, but this whole process,” Burdick says. “It doesn’t go in front of a board of directors.” 

The company operates out of a 500,000-square-foot facility in Oxnard, equipped with 176 injection molding machines, allowing it to produce most of the components used in its products in-house. Still, Burdick acknowledges that certain parts — especially those involving stainless steel or other steel components — aren’t manufactured domestically.

To lessen the impact on dealers and distributors, Waterway adopted a surcharge pricing model. Instead of increasing prices across the board, the company only raises prices on products directly affected by tariff-related costs — and only by the exact amount those components have increased. Burdick says this strategy helps Waterway remain competitive and ensures customers aren’t paying more for products the company makes entirely in-house.

“It allows us to flip that on and off like a switch, so if those percentages of tariffs change, or if they ‘pause,’ like we’ve seen, then we can simply turn those off,” Burdick says. “That is a value to the dealers and distributors.”

Crystal Water Cartridge Filter
Combining high-tech features with an easy-to-service design, the Crystal Water Cartridge Filter is ideal for both new installations and replacements. Its 2.5-inch internal piping improves flow and reduces system noise when used with 2.5- or 2-inch plumbing. Featuring four cartridge elements, it offers easy maintenance and delivers consistently clear, clean water.

David White, supply partnership manager for Heritage Pool Supply Group in McKinney, Texas, has worked with Waterway Plastics for 14 years, including during his role at Pool & Electrical Products before it was sold to Heritage. He says PEP played a key role in helping launch Waterway’s product line and growing its following in the pool market.

“We supported them because they supported us,” White says. “We felt that Waterway always provided us with fair treatment and was an excellent partner in business. Now with Heritage, we continue to find that support for us as a vendor partner.”

White says if problems ever arise, Waterway Plastics comes through in its response. “Being American-made, with their own molds and processing equipment, they can react and fix issues more quickly,” he says. 

Waterway also keeps its pricing competitive by maintaining a lean, streamlined operation. Burdick says the company is intentional about where it invests resources, focusing on product value over perks and extras.

“We control a lot of our own variables, so that keeps costs down,” he says, adding it’s by design that the company doesn’t have the largest sales force or elaborate promotional programs.

With just over 20 sales reps nationwide, Waterway opts to invest in products and pricing rather than back-end rebates or incentives.

“Nothing’s really free — somebody always pays for it,” he says, noting the company would rather give value to its customers right at the counter with a product that costs less. “We run extremely lean on purpose to maintain value.”

By focusing on efficiency, Waterway aims to provide consistent, competitive pricing for all its customers, regardless of size or buying power.

“If I can put a little more food on that guy’s plate at the end of the day through a pump or a filter or a three-port valve that costs him $40 less,” Burdick says, “Those are the ways we win all those small battles.”