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MERGER: Aqua +7 focus on b ilding poor, Vintage on landscar;jig extras CONTINUED FROM A-1 "Because of Bob's acclaim as a have no intention of leaving it," POOLING R SOURCES landscaper,we can now provide Townsend said. "This merger is lion. __ a new pool and a new back yard producing a stronger company." However,the economic impact � to customers,"Townsend said. While most pools cost $30,000 goes beyond paychecks. The,merger of Aqua Pool le Spa and T Vintage alio both based in the The headquarters will be in to $45,000, Campana said, the The company,which banks in Northern San Joaquin Valley,creates 'e of the nation's largess pool Ripon,although the Vintage site company soon will begin a Modesto, expects to purchase construction companies.The new co )any is called Aqua Pool&Spa and n north Modesto will remain $441,000 project that includes a $30 million in materials in 2004. will have locations in Elk Grove,Ripo and Modesto,and asoon-to-open open.The new company will hon- pool, water features and land- "We'll buy the lion's share of design center.Theso are 2003 figures?orn the two,companies,and the plies from companies or all warranties that customers scoping. those supplies forecast for 2004. hold through Aqua and Vintage. "That's an extremero ect,but right here in Stanislaus and San Aqua Pool& 1 The Vintage : Aqua Poul& Townsend said the company is it's one we can handle because of Joaquin o Whitley suntiande About Category Spa(2003) Co.(2003) Spa(2004)* buildinga seven-acre design cen- the talent being combined from ager95 percent of the 150 trucks that Revenue $25 million $15 million $50 million ter, a $4.5 million facility that two companies," Campana said. we use were bought from Employees 200 100 350 will open in the fall. Bee staff writer Richard T.Estrada Modesto-area dealerships.' "We're both very proud to say can be reached at 578-2316 or While the merger could benefit Payroll $3 million $4 million $14 million that we're from this area,and we restrada@modbee.com. the company's suppliers, cus- Headquarters Ripon Modesto Ripon tomer convenience is the reason Coverage Turlock to Merced to Merced to for the deal,the owners said. Sacramento Stockton Sacramento "Expanding what we offer cus- tomers is more of a priority than Pools built(2003) 70fi 310 1,400 simply being able to build more Sources:ngau Paul a spa,The vintage co *Figures are estimates pools," said Richard Townsend, president of the new company THE BEE The value-added aspect of the merger is Vintage's reputation during the summer;discussions While Aqua built more than for building a back yard around began to intensify this winter. wice as many pools,Vintage re- a pool,Townsend said. "Neither one of us was work- :eived more per pool because it The new company has two divi- ing from a position of weakness, Iso offered landscape services. sions: Aqua, focusing on pool so the talks were pretty smooth,' "We create a backyard environ- construction and Vintage, con- Campana said. "We were bot nent to complement the pool," centrating on landscape fea- healthy,but we could see where )ampana said."That can mean a tures. a merger would benefit us both." )atio, a barbecue area, a water Townsend owned Aqua for v17 ice years and Bob Campana, vice Aqua constructed 708 pool eature,a gazebo and plants." president of sales for the new and had revenue of$25 millio Vintage's reputation for work- firrf,ran Vintage for 27 years. last year.Vintage buflt 310 pool ing outside the swimming pool They fust talked of a merger and posted sales of$15 million. sealed the deal,Tohnsend said.