Softub celebrates 25th anniversary

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 3/21/2011 11:26:11 AM

POWAY, Calif. — Softub, Inc., known for introducing the soft-sided, 120V portable hot tub that heats without a heater, is celebrating its 25th year in the hot tub industry.

Founded in a small shop in Los Angeles, Softub now has factories on both coasts and distribution in 50 states and more than 30 countries. Tom Thornbury, owner and co-founder, attributes Softub's success to a unique product concept and the devotion and diligence of hundreds of talented, dedicated employees, dealers and distributors.

"I will always remember our first national trade show," recalled Thornbury. "In January of 1987, I went to the Atlantic City NSPI Show with the only Softub in existence at that time. I was greeted by the blizzard of the century, which delayed the show and greatly limited show attendance. Nevertheless, our product drew lots of attention from major players in the industry and gave my partners and me the incentive to invest all our time and limited capital in it."

Softub has been the recipient of the Consumers Digest Best Buy Award for its 140 and 220 models. The company has also appeared on the Inc. 500 list three years in a row for establishing its own distribution system by recruiting and training budding entrepreneurs.