PHOTO PROVIDED PDC Spas staff members attend to a hot tub.

PDC Spas has been providing its services to the community for nearly 70 years, but many are unaware the locally owned business has both a national and international reach.

“The journey began in 1957 when it was more of a job shop,” Jaime Smith, director of retailer relations said.

“At that point, we focused our manufacturing more on fiberglass side walls, in-ground swimming pools, Jeep beds, burial vaults, things of that nature,” she said.

In the early 80’s, the company shifted towards what it is best known for today, its spa and swimming products.

“Everything is made from start to finish right here at our manufacturing facility, located at 3743 West Fourth Street in the Newberry section of Williamsport,” Smith said.

“But, in addition to manufacturing, selling to and taking care of our community locally, we also have a vast retailer network,” Smith said, noting that that network reaches across the country and even into Canada.

“We are a trusted leader in the industry, and we do a lot of private labeling with a lot of other manufacturers, so it may not be our name on the product, but we’ve made them,” she explained.

Some of the company’s recently launched cold plunge molds were used during the 2024 Summer Olympics, and its products are regularly employed by teams across the NFL, the NBA and Major League Baseball, according to Smith.

“When people come into our showroom and find out we make them from start to finish right here, and then when we start telling the PDC Spa story, they’re like, ‘oh, wow. I had no idea,'” Smith said.

Despite their success in major industries, Smith said the focus on the company is more on the residential side.

Products available from PDC include three different series of hot tubs, totaling 16 available models.

“From tiny, one person to a three person, all the way up to a seven person hot tub,” Smith said.

“We have some without lounges, we have some that have sculpted lounges. We have something for everyone. and all of our units can be customizable to your needs,” she said.

“We also have a swim and fitness spa lineup called swim spas. Those have four different series made up of 18 models,” Smith said.

A feature of the swim spas, which range from 12 to 19 feet, is their ability to be utilized year long, according to Smith.

“I can have it set for 80 degrees, if I so choose, and the way it’s designed, it’s going to maintain that 80 degree temperature, even in the bitter cold of winter,” Smith said.

PDC saw sales drastically increase during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the closure of the YMCA and other fitness centers.

“In aquatic therapy and aquatic exercise, your body’s more buoyant. It’s not as harsh on your joints, as opposed to if you’re running or doing therapy after surgery. Everything is easier on your body with water,” Smith said, stressing the role their swim spas and hot tubs can play in overall health and wellness.

“But, it’s not just about aquatic therapy. It’s your wellness, it’s your relaxation. You’re rejuvenating,” she offered.

“You’re getting in water and you’re putting your phones down. The kids are getting off the computer games. You’re unplugging from all your electrical devices, and you’re spending time as a family,” Smith said.

Another product Smith is particularly excited about is the company’s Splash series.

“We’re kind of taking the best of both worlds, your hot tub therapy, and the convenience of a Swim Spa and molding it into one unit,” she explained.

The series is available in either 12 or 15 foot models and incorporates bench seating for 10 to 15 people, at different levels to accommodate for all ages and body types, according to Smith.

“Everybody has a therapy seat, but you can also take advantage of swimming and fitness,” she said.

The series also comes with PDC’s Elite Pro Jets, deep tissue massages.

All the units sold by the company are self-sufficient units, meaning that outside plumbing is not required for installation.

“It has a filtration system that comes standard, so it’s already working to sanitize your water,” Smith explained.