Founded in 1996, Bullfrog International, LC, is headquartered in the greater Salt Lake City, Utah metro area. Bullfrog designs and manufactures the world’s only hot tubs with JetPaks™ - modular jetted seatbacks, which allow the user to customize, interchange and upgrade their hot tub’s jetting at anytime. JetPaks are backed by six U.S. patents with other U.S. and foreign patents pending. In addition to JetPaks, Bullfrog Spas provide powerful hydrotherapy, are virtually leak-proof, and are extremely energy efficient. Bullfrog International currently distributes, licenses and retails its products in the United States, Canada, Australia, Asia and Europe. Since 2003, Bullfrog International, LC has experienced an average growth rate of more than 43 percent each year.
An Entrepreneur´s Vision
Bullfrog International was established in 1996 by David Ludlow. Working for his father´s pool and hot tub business as a young man, Ludlow was, in part, responsible for servicing clients´ leaky hot tubs. After attending a pool and spa trade show in Las Vegas in 1989, Ludlow knew he could design a hot tub that could more effectively protect against leaks than the ones featured at the tradeshow. Knowing leaks occurred inside the spa shell where hundreds of feet of plumbing intertwined, Ludlow decided the best way to prevent a leak was to minimize the plumbing underneath the spa shell and place the plumbing inside the water, where if it did leak, it would actually be contained inside the spa and not hinder the spa’s functionality.
Ludlow’s main challenge was designing a spa that reduced the amount of plumbing while increasing jet power and efficiency. Ludlow developed a technology which he coined the JetPak System™.
Bullfrog’s Patented Technology
Bullfrog’s JetPak™ technology has been awarded six U.S. patents with an additional U.S. patent pending. Bullfrog has received one foreign patent in New Zealand and has patents pending in thirteen additional countries.
The JetPak System
JetPaks are removable spa seats, each equipped with an individual array of jets. JetPaks allow most of the plumbing and jets to be positioned within the spa bathing area, below the water line. The reduction in plumbing reduces water friction through the pipes, enabling a more powerful spa (PowerPlus™). Maintaining the plumbing inside the spa traps heat energy creating the industry’s most energy efficient spa (EnergySave™). Because there are zero holes drilled into the seatbacks, Bullfrog spas are virtually leak-proof (LeakGuard™).
JetPak technology makes Bullfrog the only spa in the world that is completely customizable and upgradeable. Because of Bullfrog´s modular jetting system, and JetPak varieties, customers can create a unique hydrotherapeutic experience based on individual massage needs. Bullfrog continues to develop JetPak models with varying massage capabilities which enable users to have the latest technology and a spa that is never obsolete.
PowerPlus
Every spa in the world uses long networks of pipe to carry water from the pumps to the jets. Except one brand! Bullfrog threw away all traditional plumbing designs and using the JetPak System, eliminated up to 90% of pipe used.
Traditional spas are built with hundreds of glue joints, long networks of pipe, and dozens of pipe connections buried in foam insulation, all of which restrict water pressure and flow. Bullfrog reduces 90% of pipe and pipe fittings, thus reducing the number of pipe connections in the plumbing system. Less plumbing results in less friction being applied to anything traveling through the pipe, whether it´s air or water. With 90 percent less plumbing, water power is far greater, which results in a spa that can run more jets per horsepower.
Due to the amount of plumbing in most conventional spas, diverter valves are needed to shut down half of the spa, in order to give the necessary jet pressure to the other half. This is a huge inconvenience. Bullfrog Spas have no diverter valves! The unique PowerPlus plumbing system runs all jets in all seats at maximum jet power, all the time. No more robbing jet power from your neighbors!
EnergySave
The JetPak System creates the most energy efficient line of spas on the market. The greatest factor to determine energy savings is to explore how well a spa can retain the heat it generates. By using 100% closed-cell, full-foam insulation, Bullfrog ensures maximum protection against heat loss. Many high-end spas may boast this feature; however, Bullfrog goes one step further. It recycles the heat that traditional spas lose.
In a conventional spa, water is heated and travels to the spa through many feet of plumbing. Along its journey, the hot water loses heat which dissipates under the spa and is lost - even in full-foam spas!
Bullfrog is different. Up to 90% of the plumbing is on the JetPak, submerged inside the spa - in hot water. This means any heat escaping through the pipe is transferred into the spa water. This process heats the spa and recycles energy. Such brilliant engineering will be truly appreciated when the monthly power bills arrive!
LeakGuard
LeakGuard equates to security. Holes are drilled in removable JetPaks, not in the spa shell. With zero holes drilled into the seatbacks, Bullfrog spas reduce the potential for leaks and are virtually leak-proof.
In conventional spas, jet and pipe fittings are buried in foam-filled spa walls, making access to the plumbing difficult and often impossible. Bullfrog´s exclusive LeakGuard design provides the unmatched security of JetPak plumbing contained within the spa. Any leak in this system is contained, and therefore will never be a problem. If service is ever needed, all JetPak fittings and piping are easy to access. No other spa design offers this much peace of mind.
Recognition & Success
2006 - Best of State – Pool and Spa
2005 - Best of State – Pool and Spa
2005 - Best of State – Wholesale Durable Goods
2004 - Best of State – Wholesale Durable Goods
2004 - National Award Nominee – Entrepreneur of the Year – Manufacturing (Utah)
2004 - Mountain West Venture Group Utah Top 100 – 51st Fastest Growing Company in Utah
2004 - Winner – Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Manufacturing (Utah)
2003 - Best of State – Wholesale Durable Goods
2003 - Finalist – Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Manufacturing (Utah)
2003 - Mountain West Venture Group Utah Top 100 – 26th Fastest Growing Company in Utah
2002 - Mountain West Venture Group Utah Top 100 – 4th Fastest Growing Company in Utah
Bullfrog´s unique JetPak System has allowed the company to grow at an unprecedented rate. In 2004, Bullfrog´s unit sales increased by 42 percent, while the entire domestic spa industry only grew by 10 to 12 percent. Bullfrog recently completed a state-of-the-art 33,000 square-foot manufacturing facility and has begun construction of “Phase II” which will increase the facility by an additional 30,000 square feet. Not only is Bullfrog the fastest growing spa manufacturer in the world, but it continues to create the most innovative and unique hot tubs in the industry.
