Hayward is undergoing a significant digital transformation, evolving its core business model. The company is actively shifting from solely manufacturing pool hardware to becoming a provider of software-enabled smart outdoor living experiences. This transformation centers around developing and integrating advanced IoT platforms and connected technologies for pool automation and control.
This strategic shift creates critical dependencies on robust system integrations, consistent data flows, and seamless digital experiences for both consumers and trade partners. The transformation also introduces challenges related to maintaining data integrity across diverse systems, ensuring real-time operational visibility, and managing the complexity of a hybrid B2B2C go-to-market approach. This page will analyze Hayward's key digital initiatives, the operational breakdowns they create, and where sellers can effectively engage.
Hayward Snapshot
Headquarters: Charlotte, NC
Number of employees: Approximately 2,000
Public or private: Public
Business model: Both
Website: http://www.hayward.com
Hayward ICP and Buying Roles
Hayward sells to companies managing complex distribution networks and independent contractors with evolving digital demands.
- Companies with established physical distribution models and growing digital sales channels.
Who drives buying decisions
- Chief Marketing Officer → Defining digital engagement strategies and partner marketing initiatives
- VP of Sales → Optimizing channel partner performance and sales enablement tools
- Chief Product Officer → Driving IoT product roadmaps and platform integrations
- Chief Supply Chain Officer → Modernizing manufacturing operations and distribution logistics
Key Digital Transformation Initiatives at Hayward (At a Glance)
- Building IoT-enabled OmniLogic and OmniX platforms for integrated pool equipment control.
- Enhancing the Hayward Partner Portal for real-time inventory and lead management.
- Implementing robotics in manufacturing facilities for optimized assembly processes.
- Redesigning logistics with increased distribution space for faster product movement.
- Migrating molding machines to electric power for energy savings in production.
- Integrating platform telemetry into product development for data-driven innovation.
Where Hayward’s Digital Transformation Creates Sales Opportunities
| Vendor Type | Where to Sell (DT Initiative + Challenge) | Buyer / Owner | Solution Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| IoT Device Management Platforms | IoT-enabled OmniLogic platforms: device telemetry data fails to sync consistently with the cloud. | VP of Engineering, IoT Platform Lead | Consolidate device data streams and ensure real-time synchronization from connected pool equipment. |
| OmniX platforms: command execution lags when controlling multiple connected pool devices simultaneously. | Head of Product, Software Engineering Director | Route control commands efficiently to distributed pool equipment without latency. | |
| Channel Partner Management Systems | Hayward Partner Portal: lead distribution experiences discrepancies across authorized dealers. | Head of Sales Operations, Channel Partner Manager | Enforce consistent lead routing rules to partner accounts. |
| Digital Partner Enablement: co-branded marketing assets do not propagate uniformly to partner systems. | Marketing Technology Lead, Channel Marketing Manager | Standardize content delivery and asset management for channel partners. | |
| Manufacturing Automation Software | Robotics in manufacturing facilities: assembly line flow breaks when robotic systems encounter unexpected part variations. | VP of Manufacturing, Plant Manager | Validate component specifications before robotic assembly. |
| Manufacturing process automation: production data fails to integrate with enterprise resource planning systems. | Head of Operations, Manufacturing IT Director | Standardize data exchange between production systems and enterprise platforms. | |
| Supply Chain Visibility Platforms | Optimized logistics networks: inventory counts show discrepancies between distribution centers and sales systems. | Chief Supply Chain Officer, Inventory Manager | Detect stock level mismatches across warehouse and order management systems. |
| Supply chain modernization: shipment tracking data does not propagate in real-time to customer-facing portals. | Logistics Director, Customer Service Lead | Standardize real-time tracking information across all shipping partners. | |
| Data Quality & Governance Platforms | Data-intelligent product development: energy consumption data from connected devices contains inaccuracies. | Data Analytics Director, Head of Product Development | Validate sensor data streams from IoT devices to ensure accuracy for product insights. |
| Sustainability reporting: fragmented data sources create discrepancies in environmental impact metrics. | Sustainability Officer, Data Governance Lead | Standardize data collection and aggregation for sustainability metrics reporting. |
Identify when companies like Hayward are in-market for your solutions.
Spot buying signals, find the right prospects, enrich your data, and reach out with relevant messaging at the right time.
What makes this Hayward’s digital transformation unique
Hayward’s digital transformation emphasizes transforming a physical product into an integrated smart ecosystem for outdoor living. They prioritize unified control of pool equipment through proprietary IoT platforms, distinguishing them from companies focused solely on efficiency. This approach creates a complex dependency on seamless connectivity and robust software experiences for end-users, beyond basic device functionality. Their commitment to sustainability is deeply integrated, driving product development toward energy-efficient, connected solutions from the outset.
Hayward’s Digital Transformation: Operational Breakdown
DT Initiative 1: Smart Pool Automation Ecosystem Development
What the company is doing
Hayward develops and expands its OmniLogic and OmniX IoT platforms. These platforms provide integrated control for various pool equipment including pumps, heaters, and lighting. The company also rolled out the SmartPad ecosystem for cloud-based outdoor control.
Who owns this
- Chief Product Officer
- VP of Engineering
- IoT Platform Lead
Where It Fails
- IoT device telemetry data fails to sync consistently with cloud applications.
- Command execution lags when controlling multiple connected pool devices simultaneously through the app.
- Third-party smart home integrations break when API changes are not propagated.
- User access controls for shared pool management accounts create security vulnerabilities.
Talk track
Noticed Hayward is expanding its smart pool automation ecosystem with OmniLogic and OmniX. Been looking at how some IoT companies prevent device telemetry data inconsistencies instead of cleaning data downstream, can share what’s working if useful.
DT Initiative 2: Digital Partner Enablement and Omni-Channel Strategy
What the company is doing
Hayward enhances its Partner Portal and implements digital-first marketing tactics. This strategy focuses on localized lead generation and providing trade partners with real-time inventory and co-branded marketing tools. The Partner Portal supports over 10,000 active trade partners globally.
Who owns this
- Head of Sales Operations
- Channel Partner Manager
- Marketing Technology Lead
Where It Fails
- Lead distribution through the Partner Portal experiences discrepancies impacting partner assignments.
- Co-branded marketing assets do not propagate uniformly to partner systems.
- Real-time inventory data in the Partner Portal shows delays impacting order commitments.
- Partner onboarding workflows break when compliance documentation is missing.
Talk track
Saw Hayward is leveraging a refreshed Partner Portal for its trade network. Been looking at how some B2B2C companies standardize lead distribution and marketing asset propagation to avoid channel conflict, happy to share what we’re seeing.
DT Initiative 3: Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain Automation
What the company is doing
Hayward uses state-of-the-art robotics for assembly in its U.S. manufacturing facilities. The company also improves its supply chain through added distribution space and lean manufacturing practices. Hayward installed solar panels at facilities and migrates molding machines to electric power.
Who owns this
- VP of Manufacturing
- Chief Supply Chain Officer
- Head of Operations
Where It Fails
- Robotic assembly lines stall when component quality variations exceed acceptable tolerances.
- Inaccurate inventory counts appear between manufacturing execution systems and warehouse management systems.
- Production scheduling breaks when material flow from suppliers faces unexpected delays.
- Electric molding machine performance data fails to integrate with energy consumption monitoring systems.
Talk track
Looks like Hayward is investing in robotics for manufacturing and optimizing its supply chain. Been seeing how some industrial companies validate component quality and synchronize inventory data between manufacturing and warehousing systems, can share what’s working if useful.
DT Initiative 4: Data-Intelligent Product Development for Sustainability
What the company is doing
Hayward integrates platform telemetry into its product development processes. This enables data-driven product improvements and supports the goal of deriving 75% of revenue from energy-efficient products by 2025. This includes advanced pumps and connected solutions.
Who owns this
- Head of Product Development
- Data Analytics Director
- Sustainability Officer
Where It Fails
- Energy consumption data from connected devices contains inaccuracies impacting product efficiency insights.
- Platform telemetry data fails to integrate consistently into product lifecycle management systems.
- Sustainability impact metrics show discrepancies due to fragmented data sources.
- User feedback loops break when unstructured data from customer interactions is not categorized.
Talk track
Seems like Hayward is using data telemetry for product development with a strong focus on sustainability. Been looking at how some product teams validate sensor data streams and integrate product usage insights for iterative improvements, happy to share what we’re seeing.
Who Should Target Hayward Right Now
This account is relevant for:
- IoT Device Management Platforms
- Channel Partner Relationship Management (PRM) Solutions
- Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) Software
- Supply Chain Orchestration Platforms
- Data Quality and Observability Platforms
- Product Analytics and Telemetry Solutions
Not a fit for:
- Basic website builders without e-commerce or integration capabilities
- Standalone marketing automation tools without channel partner functionality
- General office productivity software
- Simple IT help desk solutions
- Generic HR platforms
When Hayward Is Worth Prioritizing
Prioritize if:
- You sell tools for IoT device data validation and real-time synchronization across connected platforms.
- You sell platforms that enforce consistent lead distribution rules and marketing asset propagation for channel partners.
- You sell solutions for robotic process control validation and manufacturing execution system integration.
- You sell platforms that detect inventory discrepancies and standardize real-time shipment tracking across logistics networks.
- You sell solutions for validating sensor data streams from IoT devices and aggregating sustainability metrics from fragmented sources.
Deprioritize if:
- Your solution does not address any of the breakdowns above.
- Your product is limited to basic functionality without advanced IoT or manufacturing integration capabilities.
- Your offering is not built for complex B2B2C channel models or large-scale supply chains.
Who Can Sell to Hayward Right Now
IoT Device Management Platforms
AWS IoT Core - This company provides cloud services for connecting and managing IoT devices at scale.
Why they are relevant: IoT device telemetry data from Hayward's OmniLogic platforms often contains inconsistencies before cloud sync. AWS IoT Core can manage secure communication, collect device data reliably, and route it to analytics services, preventing data loss or corruption impacting insights into pool performance.
Particle - This company offers an integrated IoT platform with hardware, software, and connectivity for building connected products.
Why they are relevant: Hayward's OmniX platforms experience command execution lags when controlling multiple devices. Particle's platform can optimize device communication protocols and improve responsiveness for real-time control of distributed pool equipment, ensuring timely command execution.
Channel Partner Management Platforms
Impartner - This company offers a Partner Relationship Management (PRM) platform to automate and optimize partner channels.
Why they are relevant: Lead distribution through Hayward's Partner Portal shows discrepancies across authorized dealers. Impartner can automate lead routing, manage partner performance, and ensure equitable lead allocation based on predefined rules, improving partner satisfaction and sales efficiency.
Zift Solutions - This company provides a channel marketing automation platform for delivering co-branded marketing content to partners.
Why they are relevant: Hayward's co-branded marketing assets do not propagate uniformly to partner systems. Zift Solutions can centralize content management and enable automated, consistent delivery of marketing materials to thousands of channel partners, ensuring brand compliance and effective localized campaigns.
Manufacturing Operations Management Software
Tulip Interfaces - This company offers a no-code platform for frontline operations, enabling digital workflows for manufacturing.
Why they are relevant: Hayward's robotic assembly lines stall when component quality variations exceed acceptable tolerances. Tulip can create applications for real-time quality checks and operator guidance, ensuring parts meet specifications before entering robotic processes and preventing line stoppages.
Plex Systems - This company provides cloud-based manufacturing execution systems (MES) and ERP for production control.
Why they are relevant: Production data in Hayward's manufacturing systems fails to integrate with enterprise resource planning systems. Plex can standardize data exchange between shop floor equipment and enterprise-level planning, providing real-time visibility into production status and inventory.
Supply Chain Orchestration Platforms
Kinaxis - This company offers an AI-powered concurrent planning platform for supply chain management.
Why they are relevant: Inaccurate inventory counts appear between Hayward's manufacturing execution systems and warehouse management systems. Kinaxis can synchronize inventory data across the entire supply chain, providing a single source of truth for stock levels and preventing discrepancies that impact fulfillment.
FourKites - This company provides real-time visibility and predictive intelligence for logistics and transportation.
Why they are relevant: Shipment tracking data for Hayward's supply chain does not propagate in real-time to customer-facing portals. FourKites can provide end-to-end real-time tracking, detecting delays and providing accurate delivery estimates to both internal teams and external partners.
Data Quality and Observability Platforms
Collibra - This company provides a data governance platform for managing data quality, lineage, and compliance.
Why they are relevant: Energy consumption data from Hayward's connected devices contains inaccuracies impacting product efficiency insights. Collibra can establish data quality rules, monitor data pipelines, and ensure the reliability of telemetry data used for product development and sustainability reporting.
Monte Carlo - This company offers a data observability platform to prevent data downtime and ensure data trust.
Why they are relevant: Hayward's sustainability impact metrics show discrepancies due to fragmented data sources. Monte Carlo can detect anomalies and validate data completeness across various sustainability data pipelines, ensuring accurate and consistent reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
Final Take
Hayward is scaling its smart pool automation ecosystem and digital partner enablement, creating complex dependencies on data integrity and system reliability. Breakdowns are visible in IoT device data synchronization, partner lead distribution, and manufacturing quality control. This account is a strong fit for vendors who provide solutions that validate data, standardize workflows, and prevent failures across complex IoT, channel, and supply chain systems.
Identify buying signals from digital transformation at your target companies and find those already in-market.
Find the right contacts and use tailored messages to reach out with context.