the 2008 edition of the Spatex - Eurospapoolnews.com

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VIEWFROM THE TOPThere’s no doubting it’s been a tough year or more for the UK pool trade. Last year, wewere anticipating the effect of the expansion of the European Union to include Bulgariaand Romania – but that was before a soaking wet summer put the dampeners on thebusiness… Here, a selection of senior members of the UK pool and spa trade give ustheir views on the challenging year ahead.Jamie Adams, president of the BSPF continued from Page 1Peter Evans, managing director of Pollet Pool Group UKLast year started reallywell, with somegood early sun thatresulted in increasedsales in the first partof the year and astrong indication of asolid 2007. The onsetof the wet weatherin the spring and thesubsequent washoutthat represented ourPeter Evanssummer had the effectcloser to homethat three of our staff here at Pollet were floodedout of their homes, with one still waiting to return!It was certainly a miserable time for many, andfrom a business viewpoint our sales of abovegroundpools dwindled overnight from a torrentto a trickle.There was a definite ecological aspect to 2007,with escalating sales of heat pumps, pool coversand the like. A continued expansion of the integrationof outdoor pools into more substantial landscapingprojects pushed our Caraterra stoneworksales to a more than satisfactory level.It is interesting to see how these days new poolowners seem to pay far more attention to detailin their project, and what would once have beena perfectly acceptable outdoor pool often now becomespart of a far bigger outdoor leisure area.As far as 2007 was concerned, it was anothergood year for Degrémont Technologies – Triogenglobally and in the UK. As far as our domesticmarket is concerned, there is clearly a continuedincrease in the awareness of swimming pool usersof the health issues connected with swimmingpool water. We base that perception particularlyon the increase in sales of Triogen Compact Ozonesystems at home and overseas. The fact that wehave seen this growth at that end of the marketwe think is due not only to our systems, but also tothe increased health awareness of bathers. At theother end of the scale, for larger public pools inthe UK, UV disinfection continues to be the favouredchoice. Strangely, this goes somewhat againstthe trend in the rest of Europe and further afield,where interest in ozone disinfection appears to bevery much on the increase.Of course, we at Degrémont Technologies – Triogenare happy to see this increase in water qualityawareness, irrespective of whether the customerchoice is ozone or UV. We are in the fortunate positionof being probably the only major companyThe ecological theme is fast becoming an integratedpart of a large number of the new enquirieswe receive, and I’m sure this is much thesame for all pool equipment distributors in theUK. I believe it has been a year of mixed fortunes,with many pool builders remaining hard atit throughout, but sadly also some have goneout of business. The retail side was particularlydifficult, and rain often stopped play on chemicalsales and pool accessories.It was also a tough year in the spa market, asthere are more and more suppliers chasing astatic (or falling?) market. US suppliers are havinga hard time in their home market, and thishas acted as a trigger for them to start searchingbeyond their own domain for sales. The demiseof Hydrospa as one of the largest spa suppliersin the world is an indicator as to just how muchof a downturn there has been.On a very positive note we have many superbnew products coming into the UK marketplace,giving all concerned the opportunity to expandtheir portfolios and offer end-users some of themost innovative and ecologically advanced pooland spa options available. For that reason, Ibelieve that 2008 will be a positive year for ourindustry as a whole.At Pollet we look back at 2007 as another excellentyear, and are looking forward to our fifthyear of trading in 2008 with great optimismand enthusiasm.Ahmad Arafa, sales and marketing director for Triogen – Degrémont TechnologiesSteve Martin, director, Paramount PoolsI am receiving quitea mixed review fromthe trade in generalon how businesshas performed over2007, and whattheir expectationsare for 2008.Many in theconstruction side ofthe business (highendvalue) haveSteve Martinseemed to fare wellthroughout theyear, despite the weather, and have a good orderbook for 2008. There was a lot of moneygenerated in the City last year, and this has definitelyfiltered through. Our safety cover sales- again, high-value items - have beencontinued from Page 1continued from Page 1in the field that canoffer both technologiesas well as acombination of thetwo.As far as the prospectsfor 2008 areconcerned, theforecast generalcredit squeeze inthe post-industrialeconomies doesAhmad Arafanot bode particularlywell. However,as a company, we are somewhat reassured byour increasing presence in some of the highgrowth-ratemarkets in the developing economiesoverseas. We are not attending Spatex thisyear due to commitments at other internationalshows (particularly Dubai and Lyon). We do,however, wish the organisers and participantsevery success: we are sure that the show will bejust as vibrant as it has been in recent years.continued from Page 1a testament to this, as sales did not diminish butactually grew!In contrast to this, retail sales such as pool accessories,refurbishment, toys, above-groundpools, etc. have seen sales drop dramatically.With the ‘early buy’ offers that distributors nowoffer prior to the season for bulk order, this hasleft some retailers with excessive stock.However, had we had a normal June/July weatherscenario, I am sure that my commentswould have been different. Along with someof the new products that are coming onto themarket, and providing the economy can stabilisefor 2008, I am reasonably optimistic that themarket will be buoyant. Nobody do a rain dancethis year please…Eurospapoolnews: What will bethe challenges in 2008?JA: Misguidedly, pools and spas areoften viewed as a luxury for the ‘wealthy’minority who squander huge volumesof water at the expense of thenon-pool-owning majority. This seems to be theview of the government, and unless the industryspeaks up and defends businesses and livelihoods,we are all vulnerable to having punitive measurestaken against us. I am determined that the BSPFwill continue to work to ensure that governmenttakes a more balanced view on the extent of our involvementin water usage and the minimal amountwe ‘waste’, which is negligible when compared withthe billions of litres lost by the water industry itselfthrough poorly maintained supply pipes.Eurospapoolnews: Can the industry associationdo anything to convince government?JA: We know that government is looking at greaterwater restrictions on domestic swimmingpools, and I believe it will only be a matter oftime before the politicians turn their attentionto other aspects. Therefore our industry must actfirst and take on the responsibility of looking forways of reducing the perceived impact pools andspas have on the environment to influence governmentpolicies. As the umbrella organisation,and being one removed from the coal-face, theBSPF is able to address these and other similar issueson behalf of our trade associations, and ourvoice should and will be heard again and again.The BSPF and the associate bodies will fight ourindustry’s corner all the way.Eurospapoolnews: What sort of issues shouldthe industry consider?JA: Whether or not you subscribe to the theoryof ‘global warming’, it has become a major internationalissue and one that will affect us allin the future. We are all being encouraged toreduce our personal ‘carbon footprint’, and theindustry must look for ways of helping our customersreduce energy use connected with maintainingpools and spas. We are already talking tothe Carbon Trust to see how we can work withthem, for example, and this kind of activity willbe expanded. Similarly, the Waste of Electronicand Electrical Equipment Directive, or WEEE as itis better known, is now in place and will have animpact on our businesses.Eurospapoolnews: Is there a role for BSPF andthe other associations?JA: My answers to the last three questions shouldsend a resounding ‘yes’, as I see our role as ensuringthat any new regulations are implemented insuch a way as not to become too onerous for ourmembers. We should be helping BSPF membersto understand new legislation quickly and fully, sothey can get on with running their businesses andnot be weighed down by admin and bureaucracy.ESPN: How strong is your membership?JA: The current membership stands at a fairlyhealthy 335, but I believe that as an associationwe need to do more to prove the value of membershipto those who have yet to join. Equally, itis essential that each member understands theimportance of becoming more involved.For too many companies, gaining membership toSPATA (Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association)or BISHTA (British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association)is simply a case of ensuring compliance tothe requirements of the relevant organisation, andthen using the valuable logo on vehicles, letterheadsJamie Adamsand advertising. Before you accuse meof being critical of the many hard-workingpeople in our industry, to an extentI can understand their position, as historicallywe have not always been particularlyclear in communicating with ourmembers, or setting out our stall in a manner that iseither compelling or appealing.Eurospapoolnews: So how are you planning tochange things?JA: We have a number of diligent member companiessupported by a strong and committed coreof people who ensure that members are offeredvalue for money. The simple facts are that if wewant to retain members and encourage them tobe more involved, while also looking to developsustainable growth in new membership, then wemust start to raise our game. Part of giving realvalue comes through regular and authoritativecommunication. We have the resources in placeto ensure that when members need to be madeaware of issues that affect them – particularlywith regards to new legislation – that the informationis provided clearly and in a timeframe tocause minimum disruption to their businesses.Eurospapoolnews: What other incentives areavailable for members?JA: First, I want to make it clear that our overridingaim is to make the circumstances suchthat eligible companies cannot afford not to bea member of the BSPF.The implementation of SPATAshield – our bondand warranty scheme backed by NSure insurancebrokers – together with the provision of preferentialconsumer finance through Hitachi Financeare two real incentives, not to mention the hugelysuccessful Dangerous Goods Awareness Coursesrun at the federation offices in Andover. Theseare just the start, and I believe that to continueto satisfy current members whilst encouragingmore companies to join, we must look to developthe range of products we have on offer.One option we are considering is to work withthe Swimming Teachers Association – one of theworld’s leading aquatic training and accreditationbodies – to offer members a range of certifiedcourses covering the specifics of the pool andspa industry through to various levels of nationalbusiness qualifications, all aimed at raising theprofessionalism and quality of our people, and inturn the quality of service provided to our prospectivepool and spa owners in the future.Eurospapoolnews: All previous BSPF presidentshave had a theme for their year in office. Whatis yours?JA: I am going to break with tradition, as I feelthat there is much to do in nurturing and developingwhat we already have without looking tofind some new dragon to slay. To that end, myyear in office will be spent focusing on workingwithin the federation and with our associationsto develop our position, so that we are clearlyidentified as an authoritative and proficient organisation.For our members, we must becomea key partner in the growth and development oftheir businesses.Tackling legislation, engaging with other tradeassociations to our mutual advantage, togetherwith offering a choice of tangible benefits combinedwith clear and regular communication, areall part of ensuring that we offer the best in qualityand service to existing members, while havingthose not yet involved questioning how their businessescan really afford not to be members.Interviews byStephen Delanyfor EuroSpaPoolNews.com
NEWS 7Since January 2008, Sylvia MONFORT, GeneralManager Europe of SCP Europe, took over themanagement and leadership of England with regardsto its managerial structure:Ian Pratt, directeur Ventes et Marketing,Richard Rigden operational Director, interne matters,purchasing and logistic manager Directeurand Dash Ganeson for the finances and administrativepart.David Mathers, taking hindsight as a Vice-chairmanfor an ambassador role and more advisorymissions.For SCP UK, Spatex 2007 was excellent with anincreased attendance, contracts, and sales thattook place on site, for a very high amount, especiallyas far as spas were concerned.«For 2008 edition, we have set up a very targetedand organised team so as to launch our promotionplan and prepare our partnership with someof our bigger European partners with whom wewill develop a medium and long term marketstrategy. We will meet both our older partners aswell some new partners for England.»From the left to the right, David Mathers, Sylvia Monfort, Ian Pratt, Rich PolizzottoSylvia Monfort continued from Page 1«Year 2007 was characterisedby very badweather conditions.In spite of excellentstrategic choices, anda very good start atthe beginning of theseason, bad weatherproved to be a hurdlein terms of achievingour objectives. As theseason had startedSylvia Montforton a strong note, inorder to cover the demandwe had made plans, as the pool-manufacturershad over-stocked, and we could not makeup for it in the last quarter».« Reorganisation that we start to set up takes inaccount the existing implementation, alliancesand Norcal’s notoriety before 1998 but countsalso on the innovation force and the service,strong points of Group SCP to propose new alternativeson this market.Spatex should help us demonstrate that SCPUK will offer, once again, new alternatives tothe market. We are going to stop using earliersuccess for revitalizing the brand imageand offering packages and exclusive deals.It will be a showcase for us and an occasionto meet some of our major clients. This willhelp us work on targeted partnerships andpresent some new products that have not yetbeen shown in our English catalogue such assome automatic covers Abriblue, new heatpumps HeatPro Hayward, along with offersfor services and equipments while insistingparticularly on service, proximity and innovationconcepts rather in service and maintenancemarket.»Grant funds research intoaquatic exercise for diabetessufferersThe National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF)in the USA has awarded a $50,000 grant to fundresearch into the benefits of aquatic exercise forsufferers of Type-2 diabetes. Figures suggest that22 million Americans suffer from the disease, andDr Guy Hornsby of the West Virginia School ofMedicine will be studying the psychological andphysiological effects of land- versus water-basedexercise for patients with the condition. Almostall previous studies have reportedly focused onland-based exercise, but most diabetic patientsare obese, and water exercise is ideal for reducingstress on joints. The study will be carried outamong two groups of 16 patients in the 18-65 agegroup.www.nspf.orgNSPF reportspreliminary results fromhot tub studyThe US National Swimming Pool Foundation(NSPF) has reported the preliminary results of thetwo-year study it funded into hot tub immersion.Presented at the World Aquatic Health Conferencein Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, the first year ofthe study indicates that warm-water immersionseems to have a significant effect on the nervoussystem. Research programme director Dr BruceBecker of Washington State University believesit “very likely” that these nervous system effectshave positive health-related implications.www.nspf.orgAppointment forPentairPentair Water EMEA announcedon the 17th ofOctober, 2007 in Barcelona,the appointment of JérômePEDRETTI as Vice Presidentof the Pentair Pool BusinessUnit, effective October 1,2007. Mr. Pedretti’s primaryfocus will be to grow thePool business, by strengtheningthe partnerships with key distributors andOEMs in Western Europe, while pursuing moreaggressive growth in emerging markets. Jérômejoined Pentair in July 2005 as Strategic MarketingDirector and then expanded his role to lead EmergingMarkets, Mergers and Acquisitions.www.pentairpool.comNew website forDalesaunaSauna and steam-room specialist Dalesauna haslaunched a new website under the strapline‘well being, well designed, well looked after’. Thesite features a pool and spa watertroubleshootingsection onits Servicepage.www.dalesauna.co.uk
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