Leveraging a superior value proposition
in swimming pool systems
Founded in 1956, Latham Group (Latham, NASDAQ: SWIM) is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The Company holds the #1 market position in North America in every product category in which it competes. Latham offers the industry’s broadest portfolio of pools and related products, including in-ground swimming pools, pool liners and pool covers.
Latham has a heritage of innovation. In an industry that has traditionally marketed on a business-to-business basis (pool manufacturer to dealer), Latham pioneered the first “direct-to-homeowner” digital and social marketing strategy that has transformed the homeowner’s purchase journey. Through this marketing strategy, Latham is able to create demand for its pools and generate and provide high quality, purchase-ready consumer leads to its dealer partners.
Transaction
Wynnchurch acquired Latham in August 2015 and partnered with management to take advantage of attractive growth opportunities. In December 2018, Latham was sold to Pamplona Capital and Wynnchurch retained a minority investment in the Company.
Opportunity
Latham represented an opportunity to acquire a market leader with a reputation for quality and innovation. The company provides a superior value proposition to its dealer and distributor partners and we believe is well positioned to benefit from the recovery of the North American housing market and the renewed ability of American homeowners to invest in their homes and lifestyles.
Strategy
Wynnchurch and the Latham management team built upon the company’s leading market position by pursuing organic growth initiatives to capture share and grow the addressable market, and by continuing to pursue add-on investments across the product portfolio.