From water treatment to market consolidation: Why HASA’s acquisition of B’s Pool Supplies matters for the industry

HASA, Inc., a long-standing U.S. producer and distributor of water treatment solutions, has announced the acquisition of B’s Pool Supplies, a California-based regional chemical supplier focused on recreational water care. The transaction, although undisclosed in value, reflects a broader strategy to expand its reach in Southern California while reinforcing HASA’s dominance in a sector increasingly shaped by consolidation and logistical control.

Why did HASA acquire B’s Pool Supplies and how will the move reshape California’s recreational water industry?

B’s Pool Supplies has long served commercial aquatic venues and independent pool service specialists in the Inland Empire and Desert regions. Known for its customer-focused chemical delivery and consistent service, the company has developed a trusted reputation in communities where water maintenance is an essential part of daily life. By acquiring this regional player, HASA is not only expanding its service network but also reinforcing its position as a solutions partner for both large institutions and smaller operators.

Chris Brink, Chief Executive Officer of HASA, described the move as a natural extension of the company’s disciplined approach to mergers and acquisitions. He noted that B’s Pool Supplies has been deeply rooted in Southern California communities for years and that integrating its expertise and relationships will help HASA improve service reliability across a critical market. Chief Strategy Officer Angela Tran emphasized that the acquisition strengthens HASA’s ability to provide more efficient customer support, reinforcing its identity as a leader in water treatment solutions while also preparing the company for future growth.

How does the acquisition fit into HASA’s long-term strategy for water treatment, logistics, and customer service reliability?

The timing of the acquisition is notable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for backyard pools soared, and with it came heightened demand for sanitization products. Chlorine shortages and raw material inflation between 2020 and 2022 created severe pricing volatility and underscored the risks of fragmented supply. For companies like HASA, building resilience through vertical integration and strategic acquisitions became essential. By bringing B’s Pool Supplies into its portfolio, HASA is securing distribution strength and insulating itself from the kind of supply chain shocks that previously disrupted the market.

Founded in 1964, HASA has grown into a vertically integrated producer and distributor operating across California, Arizona, Washington, Nevada, and Texas. Its reputation has been built on a commitment to providing “Safe, Clean, and Clear” water to recreational, municipal, and industrial markets. Unlike competitors that rely heavily on third-party networks, HASA controls both production and last-mile distribution, giving it a strategic advantage in times of market disruption. The acquisition of B’s Pool Supplies aligns seamlessly with this strategy. It enhances HASA’s ability to deliver products just-in-time, ensures closer ties to end customers, and strengthens operational efficiencies in areas where logistical reliability is critical.

Why does the deal reflect wider merger and acquisition trends across the U.S. pool and water treatment chemicals market?

The broader context of this deal is the increasing pace of consolidation across the pool and recreational water treatment industry. Over the past decade, publicly traded giants such as Pool Corporation (NASDAQ: POOL) and Leslie’s Inc. (NASDAQ: LESL) have engaged in acquisition-led expansion to absorb regional distributors and create scale advantages. These moves were driven by the recognition that the sector remains highly fragmented and that control over distribution networks can be as valuable as production capabilities themselves. HASA’s acquisition of B’s Pool Supplies mirrors this trend but distinguishes itself through the company’s dual role as both manufacturer and distributor. By combining its chemical production base with the customer service expertise of B’s, HASA is creating a hybrid model that emphasizes both efficiency and trust.

How is institutional sentiment toward pool supply stocks shaping perceptions of HASA’s private strategy?

Investor sentiment toward the broader sector has been mixed. Pool Corporation has remained an institutional favorite, supported by steady global revenues and resilient earnings despite some margin compression in the post-pandemic era. Analysts generally maintain a positive outlook on Pool Corporation because of its global scale and distribution dominance. Leslie’s Inc., by contrast, has struggled with weaker stock performance. Inflationary pressures on input costs, concerns about slowing discretionary consumer spending, and competitive headwinds have weighed on its valuation, leading to more cautious analyst outlooks. This divergence highlights the market’s current preference for vertically integrated and logistics-strong models—the same characteristics that define HASA’s strategy.

Although HASA is privately held and does not face quarterly market scrutiny, its moves can be understood in the same context. By acquiring a trusted regional distributor, the company is effectively strengthening its position in the same areas where investors are rewarding listed peers for scale and reliability. Institutional flows into Pool Corporation stock suggest that capital markets value firms that can reduce operational risks and manage distribution more effectively, which is precisely what HASA is doing within the confines of private ownership.

What future growth opportunities are emerging for HASA and how does the deal strengthen its regional expansion plans?

The U.S. water treatment chemicals industry overall is expected to grow steadily over the next five years. Rising residential pool installations are creating consistent long-term demand for sanitization products. At the same time, municipalities across states like California are tightening regulatory oversight on safe recreational and drinking water standards, leading to stronger reliance on established suppliers such as HASA. Industrial water use is another driver, as companies face mounting pressure to recycle water and maintain stricter quality standards amid climate change and water scarcity concerns.

For HASA, the acquisition of B’s Pool Supplies represents not just an expansion of territory but also a reinforcement of its brand promise. California’s water challenges, both in terms of scarcity and quality, require suppliers who can guarantee reliability, compliance, and efficiency. By expanding its presence in key regions of the state, HASA is signaling to municipalities, businesses, and residential customers that it has the scale and local integration to meet rising expectations.

The future trajectory for HASA likely involves further acquisitions of strategically positioned distributors in neighboring states such as Arizona and Nevada. Analysts following the sector expect the company to continue pursuing measured roll-ups rather than rapid, large-scale acquisitions. This disciplined approach is consistent with HASA’s history and with the realities of a sector where trust, safety, and supply reliability often matter more than sheer size.

Why is the acquisition of B’s Pool Supplies seen as part of a bigger race for control of U.S. water treatment supply chains?

The significance of this acquisition goes beyond one regional player being absorbed into a larger network. It reflects a shifting competitive dynamic in the pool and water treatment business. Companies that once competed primarily on product price are now differentiating themselves on logistics efficiency, supply chain resilience, and service quality. HASA’s move to bring B’s Pool Supplies under its umbrella positions it as a company prepared for this new reality. By combining production control with localized service strength, it is creating a model that could serve as a benchmark for the industry in the years ahead.

As consolidation accelerates, industry observers will continue to monitor whether HASA remains focused on California and nearby states or whether it pursues a broader geographic strategy. Its 60-year history suggests a preference for careful, regionally focused growth, but its latest move also highlights the urgency of building scale in a market where supply chain security is becoming the ultimate differentiator.