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11/13/2006 - Inland Valley Bulletin - From Your Backyard To A ResortPOMONA - Cal Spas President Casey Loyd wants the backyard to move to the forefront. "We believe tomorrow's backyard is like today's living room," he said. Pomona-based Cal Spas started in 1979 as a spa maker, but has since expanded to also produce outdoor kitchens, barbecue grills, card tables, fireplaces and game rooms. Once you complete a backyard environment, it feels like you're in a resort, Loyd said. "It's a terrific way to add value and enjoy it," he said. Spas have become more economically friendly, with more households able to afford one, Loyd said. "We think everybody should be able to enjoy their home," he said. Cal Spas is efficient so it can offer many price points, Loyd said. The company wants to offer as many options to someone making $60,000 a year as to someone making $200,000 a year, he said. Cal Spas products have been featured on numerous home improvement shows, he said. "It's a big deal right now, people wanting to do something with their home," Loyd said. Some even make a profit by adding value to a home when it sells, he said. "It's a great way to take advantage of equity of a home, to use that capital to enhance your life," he said. Loyd's family bought the business in 1995. The family's strategy has been to diversify the company's offerings, which has resulted in major expansion. Cal Spa opened a 500,000-square-foot plant earlier this year and plans to break ground next year on another site, which will increase its total size to about 1 million square feet, Loyd said. "We're proving you can build a manufacturing plant here in Los Angeles and be competitive," Loyd said. This community has one of the strongest and most talented labor pools, is close to the harbors and has great weather, he said. Loyd and other manufacturers have proven they can compete in the global market and produce in California, said Vance Baugham, interim president of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. "By keeping production here, he's kept in control of the technology behind it," he said. "He's shown by maintaining California production, he can compete price-wise and keep a competitive edge that makes his product unique." Cal Spas defines the California lifestyle, Baugham said. We all would like to have that spa with a plasma screen TV, surround sound and barbecue within arm's reach, he said. "(Loyd) is one of those manufacturers that draws other manufacturers," Baugham said. Loyd worked as a material handling manufacturer prior to Cal Spas, building assembly lines for numerous industries, including spas. Building an assembly line requires knowledge of that product, so he knew about spas before becoming president of Cal Spas, Loyd said. "I've met so many people all over the world," he said. "I found out there are good people all over the world." --------- Cal Spas products are available at the following area locations: Cal Spas Superstore, 2330 S. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, (909) 947-7727. Pool & Spa Outlet, 24601 Redlands Blvd., Loma Linda, (909) 478-3394. Pool & Spa Outlet, 21785 Temescal Canyon Road, Corona, (951) 277-4272. Pool & Spa Outlet, 14268 Valley Center Drive, Victorville, (760) 243-0492. Timberline Spas, 41314 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, (909) 866-5500. - Rodney Tanaka, Staff Writer |
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