# Robert Davis

> Robert Davis is the former chief executive and co-chairman of Hayward Industries, the swimming-pool equipment manufacturer owned by his family from 1964 until its 2017 sale. His leadership years included international acquisitions and expansion of the company’s equipment portfolio.

- **Role:** Former swimming-pool equipment manufacturing executive
- **Organizations:** Hayward Industries, Inc. (former CEO and co-chairman), Hayward Pool Products
- **Known for:** Led Hayward as chief executive after succeeding Oscar Davis in 2002., Leadership period included acquisitions adding Canadian heating products, Australian distribution and American pool-cleaner technology., Represented two generations of Davis-family ownership before the 2017 sale.

## Career timeline

- **2002** — Succeeded his father Oscar Davis as Hayward chief executive.
- **2008** — As president and CEO, announced the acquisition of Canadian heat-pump manufacturer Summit Pool Heaters.
- **2011** — Announced a majority investment in Australian distributor Clevaquip after a decade-long business partnership.
- **2012** — Hayward ended acquisition discussions with Maytronics; Clark Hale was subsequently appointed president and COO.
- **2013-12** — As CEO, announced the acquisition of Poolvergnuegen, effective December 20.
- **2014-11** — Presented the company’s history at its fifty-year family-ownership celebration in Lyon.
- **2017-06** — Identified as co-chairman in the announcement of Hayward’s sale to a CCMP- and MSD-led partnership; discussed approaching retirement.

## Achievements

- Led Hayward as chief executive after succeeding Oscar Davis in 2002.
- Leadership period included acquisitions adding Canadian heating products, Australian distribution and American pool-cleaner technology.
- Represented two generations of Davis-family ownership before the 2017 sale.

## Latest updates

- **2021-04** — Discussed his father’s manufacturing career and their 42 years working together in a published retrospective.
- **2017-06** — Hayward announced a sale agreement; Davis, then co-chairman, described himself as approaching retirement.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-davis-834b441b

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/robert-davis
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22