This is the first in a four-part series on some of the unique and local shops the Saanich Peninsula has to offer.
During the 1980s, the demand for hot tubs was sweeping the West Coast. The introduction of materials such as acrylic allowed manufacturers to abandon the traditional wooden barrel style of hot tub, for larger designs with molded seating.
While the industry continued to focus on manufacturing hard shelled tubs, a group of young men in California were working in their garage developing a completely different type of hot tub: a lightweight, portable spa that plugged into a regular outlet.
This unconventional hot tub would also include an idea never seen before by the pool and spa industry – it would heat the water without a heater.
The group envisioned using soft, lightweight foam for both the structure and insulation, while using heat recovery technology to capture waste heat from the jet pump to heat the water.
The idea seemed impossible; however, in 1985 the first Softub was created and the impossible became a reality.
“I will always remember our first national trade show,” recalls Tom Thornbury, Chairman and one of the original founders. “In January of 1987, I went to the Atlantic City National Spa & Pool Institute show with the only Softub in existence at that time. Our product drew lots of attention from major players in the industry and gave my partners and I the incentive to invest all our time and limited capital in it.”
Thornbury’s instincts paid off and within five years, Softub ranked high on the INC 500 list of the fastest growing companies and stayed there for a record three years in a row, in addition to winning Consumer’s Digest Best Buy Award.
In 1990 Ontario native Rob Chaput was taking a holiday in Florida and by chance discovered the Softub. He was so impressed that he acquired the rights to manufacture the product in Canada. With the assistance of his two colleagues, Wayne Fraser and Lee Tremblay, Softub Canada was created.
Twenty-five years later, Softubs are still manufactured in Ontario for the Canadian market and are sold in nearly 30 countries around the world.
Softub continues to be a leader in innovation for portable hot tub design and holds numerous patents for its unique processes and components. The company employs a team of engineers devoted to perfecting the most portable and energy-efficient spa on the market.
On Vancouver Island, Affordable Hot Tubs & Saunas Ltd. will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary representing Softub and has won numerous awards for its role in developing the brand locally.
For more information visit www.affordablehottubs.ca.
