The company file
Master Spas
A big Indiana factory that builds all of its hot tubs in the USA, puts Michael Phelps's name on its flagship, and fits a mineral cartridge to every model.
The long read: how the tubs are built, the complaint record, the warranty part by part, and the company’s history.
How it started
In February 1996, Bob Lauter and a group of investors bought the spa division of Fort Wayne Pools. That purchase became Master Spas.
What Master Spas is known for, and the catch
How it’s built
Eight things that decide whether it lasts. Tap any for the detail.
Self-supporting shellA fiberglass-backed shell that holds its own shape and water loadYes
Master Spas reinforces the acrylic with fiberglass, and that laminate carries the load. The frame and foam are there, as on most tubs, but they aren't what keeps the shell from flexing.
What this means, and how to check it →masterspas.com ↗masterspas.com ↗
Clamped plumbingBarbed, glued and clamped on every flexible lineYes
Barbed, clamped and glued: all three, the strongest of the joint methods, and one many makers don't use. Every flexible line runs onto a barbed fitting, is glued, and carries a clamp; the rigid runs are solvent-welded slip joints. Master Spas' own parts catalog backs this up: it stocks stainless hose clamps under a Master Spas part number, and its manifolds are built as glued slip trunks with barbed branch ports, which is the architecture clamps belong on.
What this means, and how to check it →masterspaparts.com ↗masterspaparts.com ↗
Manifold-fed jetsManifold plumbing, so closing one jet doesn't starve the nextYes
Master Spas lists a manifold system as a build feature and stocks about sixteen manifolds under its own part numbers, which a daisy-chained brand would not need. Each jet gets its own hose off a branch port. A few short series runs elsewhere in the tub are still possible.
What this means, and how to check it →masterspas.com ↗masterspaparts.com ↗
Standard partsStandard Balboa and Waterway parts that independent suppliers stockYes
The pumps, heaters, controls and jets are standard supplier parts. Master Spas also lists them under its own part numbers, so give a parts shop the supplier's number when you order.
What this means, and how to check it →hottuboutpost.com ↗masterspaparts.com ↗
Compression-fitted jetsJet bodies are held by a gasket and a back nut, so a leaking one is resealed…Yes
Each jet body goes through the shell and is clamped to it by a rubber gasket and a threaded nut on the back. A body that leaks or cracks can be resealed or unscrewed and replaced without cutting the shell.
What this means, and how to check it →masterspaparts.com ↗masterspaparts.com ↗
Adjustable jetsMost jets adjust by turning the face; some are fixedYes
The manual says most jets can be turned down or shut off one at a time. Foot, neck and small cluster jets are fixed, and the air knobs are shared across a seat or two. The warranty excludes seized adjustable internals, the usual hard-water failure, but the part is cheap.
What this means, and how to check it →masterspas.com ↗masterspas.com ↗
Service networkOne of the biggest brands, with a large dealer network, but service is harder…Partly
Most areas have a Master Spas dealer nearby, and independent suppliers stock its parts and sell them to any service tech. Warranty claims still go in writing to the dealer who sold you the tub, within ten days, so if you live far from a dealer, expect to wait longer for warranty service. Find out who services your area before you buy.
What this means, and how to check it →masterspas.com ↗masterspas.com ↗
American made?Built in Fort Wayne, IndianaYes
Fort Wayne, Indiana: 614,000 sq ft plant on a 45-acre campus, the company says (2026). Fort Wayne, Indiana (510 Sumpter Drive): Swim spa building added in the 2018 expansion. Fort Wayne, Indiana (original): Started in a 90,000 sq ft facility, per its 25th-anniversary post.
What this means, and how to check it →masterspas.com ↗areadevelopment.com ↗
What Master Spas says, part by part8
Master Spas publishes no jet-fitting method; its 2026 Legend owner's manual mentions only pump and heater unions and slice valves.
Manifold plumbing system; Master Spas says pressure is distributed equally among the jets. Pipe type not published.
Coated engineered frame with a coated toe-kick; fiberglass-reinforced billets strengthen the frame's top flange, per Master Spas.
Full foam: sprayed foam expands to fill the cavity and form a continuous thermal barrier, per Master Spas; foam chemistry not named.
Acrylic shells on the Legend, Twilight, Clarity and LH lines; the entry Getaway Series uses a rotationally molded shell.
Vac-formed high-density ABS pan bottom is standard on Legend Series and optional on select Twilight models only.
Barbed, clamped or glued? What it means3
Hose slides over a ridged fitting and a clamp holds it. Easy to service, but clamps are one more thing that can loosen.
Pipe is solvent-welded into the fitting and becomes one piece. A strong seal, but a leak repair means cutting and re-gluing.
Which method this model uses, whether the joints are reachable for repair, and what the plumbing warranty covers.
What owners and watchdogs say
A BBB letter grade rates how a company handles complaints, not how happy owners are. Read it next to the complaint count and the reviews.
How complaints ended, and the reviews by star2
- 2 Resolvedthe customer accepted the company's answer
- 18 Answeredthe company replied; the customer didn't confirm it was fixed
- 0 Unresolvedthe company replied; the customer said it wasn't fixed
- 0 Unansweredthe company never replied
The company replied to 20 of 20. A complaint count means more next to how big the company is.
What owners complain about4
18 of 20 BBB complaints concern service or repair; owners describe warranty work stalling between factory and local dealer, leaving tubs unusable for weeks.
Several owners report topside controls, circuit boards or pumps failing, some within days of delivery and again after replacement.
What owners praise3
Houzz shows 4.7 of 5 across 743 reviews, which mainly reflects the buying and installation experience rather than long-term reliability.
Recalls2
Ratings on other sites & BBB details4
The warranty, part by part
Read the warranty card before you sign: what labor is covered after year one, and whether the coverage moves to a second owner.
History and ownership
Founded in 1996 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Never sold. Owner today: Privately held; no parent company disclosed.
Who has owned it
Full timeline15
- 1996FoundedBob Lauter and investors buy Fort Wayne Pools' spa division in February, creating Master Spas.
- 1996LeadershipTerry Valmassoi joins as general manager.
- 2001FactoryAdds a five-acre distribution center, per the company's history page.
- 2010BrandPartnership with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps begins; Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa introduced.
- 2014FactoryCover and warehouse building completed.
- 2016BrandGetaway Hot Tubs line announced.
- 2018FactoryAnnounces $15.3 million expansion at 510 Sumpter Drive: 150,000+ sq ft and up to 107 new jobs.
- 2019FactoryNew swim spa facility becomes fully operational.
- 2020FactoryAdds a second production shift; workforce grows by 400.
- 2023BrandMichael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tubs launch July 12, 2023.
- 2024BrandMichael Phelps Sweaty GOAT Saunas announced January 10, 2024.
- 2024LeadershipKevin Richards promoted to president; Terry Valmassoi stays CEO.
- 2025LeadershipBob Lauter retires; Terry Valmassoi named president and CEO.
- 2026Brand30th anniversary: new logo and brand identity; name styled as one word, "Master Spas."
- 2026LeadershipTerry Valmassoi retires as CEO June 30; Kevin Richards becomes CEO. Valmassoi stays on the board.
Where it's built3
Charity and sponsorships14
Dealers donated part of sales July through September 2025. The campaign raised $310,000 for St. Jude, beating its $250,000 goal.
St. Jude lists Master Spas as a corporate partner, backing Childhood Cancer Awareness Month through its Summer of St. Jude.
Donated an H2X swim spa for auction and a Legend hot tub for the St. Jude Dream Home raffle.
Listed among sponsors of the 14th Patrick Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament, which benefits St. Jude.
Auctioned two hot tub, cold tub and sauna packages, raising $60,000 for St. Jude, the company says.
Part of each spa sold July 1 to September 30, 2026 goes to Tunnel to Towers. Goal: $250,000.
Master Spas and its dealers donated over $25,000 through the annual Global Sales Event, the foundation says.
Helped open NAZ Children's Centre's campus in 2013, then funded much of its new high school (2018).
Company lists the Michael Phelps Foundation, Michael J. Fox Foundation and Vera Bradley Foundation among its partners.
Partnered with Michael Phelps since 2010; his name now appears on swim spas, hot tubs, cold tubs and saunas.
Ran swim spa challenges at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic trials; 1,100+ and 2,500+ swimmers took part, the company says.
Recent news13
- Jul 1, 2026Launched Summer of Heroes, aiming to raise $250,000 for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
- Jun 30, 2026Kevin Richards became CEO.
- Mar 31, 2026Announced CEO Terry Valmassoi's retirement, effective June 30, 2026.
- 2026-02Marked 30 years with a new logo, refreshed brand and redesigned website; now styled "Master Spas."
- Nov 3, 2025Summer of St. Jude campaign reported $310,000 raised.
- Oct 27, 2025Announced support for Paralympian Josh Sweeney ahead of the 2026 and 2028 Games.
- Mar 13, 2025Filed a federal copyright suit against Gulfsouth Outdoor Living, LLC in Alabama.
- Mar 11, 2025Filed a federal trademark suit against Nationwide Spas, Inc. in Texas.
- Feb 27, 2025Introduced the Master Clear Salt System, a saltwater sanitizing system for hot tubs.
- Jan 27, 2025Founder Bob Lauter retires; Terry Valmassoi named president and CEO.
- Dec 27, 2024Kevin Richards, a 28-year employee, promoted to president.
- Dec 3, 2024Named to Inc.'s 2024 Best in Business list.
- Jan 10, 2024Launched Michael Phelps Sweaty GOAT Saunas.
Good to know8
- Company calls itself the world's largest swim spa maker and largest all-USA-built hot tub maker. These are its own claims.
- Later company posts call Terry Valmassoi a co-founder; the history page says he joined in 1996 as general manager.
- Fort Wayne Pools, the predecessor spa division, had made acrylic spas since 1978, the company says.
- The company says it has "raised millions" through its Master Spas Cares giving program. It publishes no total.
- Founder Bob Lauter's daughter was diagnosed with lupus in 1998, which the company cites for its lupus giving.
- Company says the White House chose a Legend Series spa for Camp David in 2003.
- 2019 recall of diverter valve caps sold with some Master Spas models was issued by supplier Custom Molded Products.
- Site footer says saunas and ice baths are distributed, not manufactured, by Master Spas.
Same owner
None. It's one of the independents.
Ownership last checked September 2026. Who owns every hot tub brand.
Owners: Master Spas error codes, explained from the manuals.
What’s a good deal on a Master Spas hot tub?
We send you the price range, then introduce you to one Master Spas dealer near you.