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Vista is known for its strawberries and microbreweries, but did you know that it’s also home to the world’s largest manufacturer of hot tubs? Right in our backyard is Watkins Wellness, a global leader in portable hot tubs and fitness pools. The first Hot Spring Spas hot tub was built in 1977 by Jeff and Jon Wat-kins, and Watkins Wellness celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017.

Its Vista location is the headquarters office for North American sales, mar-keting, customer service, dealer sup-port, design and engineering, human resources, and finance/accounting. The Vista manufacturing facility produces its flagship brand of hot tubs: the Highlife Collection.

The company is probably best known for its Hot Spring Spas brand. Says Sandra Shuda, Vice President of People Services at Watkins Wellness, “Hot Spring Spas has the largest network of hot tub deal-erships in the world and is recognized as the leading innovator of portable spas.”

The entire line of home hot tubs consists of the premium Hot Spring Spas and Caldera Spas brands, and the entry-level Fantasy Spas and Freeflow Spas brands.

By Anne McDonnell

By Anne McDonnell

The company’s aquatic fitness brand is Endless Pools. These products are sold in all 50 states and more than 70 countries through a network of more than 1,000 distributor locations (they’re not sold at the Vista manufacturing facility).

Watkins Wellness is known for its inno-vation, says Shuda, and it owns a long list of patents for hot tub technology. In 1998, the Vista plant earned the cov-eted ISO 9001 certification for quality management in the production process, strong customer focus, and continual improvements in all areas, and Watkins has maintained ISO 9001 certification ever since. It recently passed the mile-stone of making more than 1 million hot tubs, and is well on its way to doubling that number.

A big reason for the company’s suc-cess is its commitment to keeping its

employees happy. It’s twice been named a San Diego Top Workplace in the San Diego Union-Tribune (2013 and 2014), and it received the Peter Barron Stark Companies’ Award for Workplace Excellence in 2015. But according to Shuda, “The awards we have won are important, but what is most important is the results of our Employee Opinion Surveys.” The most recent survey in June 2018 had 85.4% participation resulting in a “Favorable” response from 87.8% of employees. Says Shuda, “For 40 years a core value is treating all employees equally and with respect.”

Another important component of the company’s success is its Vista location, and Watkins Wellness and the City have a long history of mutual support. Shuda offers this example: “Several years back I worked closely with the City and was able to get a bus route right in front of

of Hot Tub Excellence

our building at the exact shifts accom-modating our employees. Watkins Wellness pays for 50% of bus passes to our employees and temporary associ-ates. Thank you to the City of Vista for continuing this route.”

Watkins Wellness is a big supporter of the community. For almost 30 years it has supported the Vista Boys and Girls Club, the Vista Fire Department, and Sunrise Vista Kiwanis. For almost 20 years it has supported Solutions for Change, Rancho Buena Vista High School Scholarship Fund, Casa de Amparo, and New Haven Youth and Family Services. It recently started sup-porting the Nicholas Academic Centers and the North County African American Women’s Association. And, of course, says Shuda, “Our products help people relax, connect with their loved ones, and lead healthy, happy lives.”

Hot Spring Spas has the

largest network of hot

tub dealerships in the

world and is recognized

as the leading innovator

of portable spas.