Episode #142 Hot Tub History: The Early Days of Caldera with David Ingram

In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, early Caldera Spas owner David Ingram shares his background leaving home at 16, working at Fed Mart/Price Club (later Costco), and moving into spa manufacturing through Custom Fiber Engineering. He describes gaining control of a near-bankrupt Caldera in the late 1970s, building early gel-coat/FRP spas, improving blister resistance through multi-layer resin processes and later transitioning toward acrylic thermoforming as the portable spa market grew. Ingram recounts personally selling shells via delivery routes to dealers and pool builders, emphasizing Caldera’s “pure comfort” positioning, navigating financing challenges (including the 1980s crash), and streamlining operations after hiring a high-level CFO/COO. A major growth driver was launching Costco hot tub roadshows. He discusses selling Caldera to Watkins/Masco, his continued industry involvement, family considerations and product areas he’d still improve (equipment presentation, base details, and covers). https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/ Show Notes with Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:04 David’s Early Work Life02:40 Spa Molds and Job Shops05:47 Taking Control of Caldera09:23 Materials Shift and Blister Fixes13:02 Hustling Sales on the Road18:45 Dealers, Pool Builders, and Portable Boom25:18 Reputation, Family, and Real Estate33:16 Pure Comfort and Profit Machine38:26 Early Crises and Hard Lessons38:42 Financing for Growth39:31 Costco Partnership Breakthrough41:00 Roadshows and Volume Strategy42:22 Costco Program Economics45:51 Family Loss and Motivation47:21 Why Sell to Watkins50:57 Masco Resources and PE Contrast54:46 Life After the Sale57:43 Back to Retail Expansion01:00:56 Partnership Rules of Thumb01:01:24 Durango Connections and Roots01:03:44 Caldera Legacy and Next 5001:07:15 Product Improvements Wish List01:09:05 Cover Problems and Warranty01:11:39 Wrap Up and Farewell