Hayward designs and manufactures pool equipment for residential and commercial pools. Its product line covers variable-speed pumps, filters, heaters, heat pumps, robotic and suction cleaners, LED lighting, water sanitizers, salt chlorine generators, and automation and controls systems. Hayward sells through authorized distributors — primarily Pool Corporation and Heritage Pool Supply — who supply pool builders, servicers, and retailers. Because builders and servicers strongly influence homeowner purchasing decisions, Hayward's trade relationships are central to its business. Roughly 85% of Hayward's sales are aftermarket replacement and upgrade, making revenue relatively stable compared to new pool construction. Hayward charges premium prices for energy-efficient and IoT-enabled products, which carry higher margins than commodity pool equipment. A key growth initiative is OmniX, a decentralized automation platform that embeds controls directly into individual pieces of equipment — starting with variable-speed pumps — targeting an estimated 3.5 million un-automated in-ground U.S. pools. As homeowners upgrade to automated equipment, the average equipment value per pool increases, benefiting both revenue and margins. Hayward operates two segments: North America (~85% of net sales) and Europe & Rest of World (~15%). North America is significantly more profitable. Hayward manufactures over 90% of its U.S. products domestically across four plants. The business is seasonal, peaking in Q2 and Q4. Hayward is also expanding its commercial pool business, boosted by the 2024 acquisition of ChlorKing.