SPATEX returned to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry in January, bringing together some of the leading spa manufacturers and retailers from across the continent. Exhibitors went to great lengths to showcase a wide range of spa products and services at the three-day event. Among the stand-out exhibitors were Wellis, Villeroy & Boch, Passion Spas, GMT Spas, Elite Spas, Aqua Design & Leisure, Darlly Europe, Allseas Spas & Wellness and Aqua Warehouse Group.
The 2017 edition of SPATEX marked the show’s 21st anniversary, with more than 100 exhibitors taking to the floor from across all areas of water leisure. Visitor numbers reached 1,360, which is slightly down on the footfall achieved in 2016, but many exhibitors reported a good number of enquiries and sales leads. Exhibitor Robert Carlin of Superior Spas commented: “We had a very busy and successful show with both new and existing customers. Since the show, we have signed up two new dealers. We will definitely be exhibiting again in 2018.” Visitor to the show Dan Johnson of Cannings H20 added: “It’s the first time in years I didn’t get round in an afternoon and had to come back the following morning.
Furthermore the show felt big, airy and spacious yet, crammed full of well represented manufacturers and wholesalers. There seemed to be an excited buzz, about the place too.” Looking ahead, the 2018 SPATEX show will follow the same mid-week format as this year and the dates have been confirmed as Tuesday 30th January – Thursday 1st February 2018. To book a stand, or to register to visit the show, visit the website www.spatex.co.uk
NEW ADDITION
Suntrap Systems, who specialise in supplying pool lifts and hoists to ensure access for all, displayed three lifts on their stand at SPATEX 2017.
• The Spa Ultra is a new addition to Suntrap Systems range of hoists and is designed for a hot tub or spa, as it will raise over a wall up to 129 cm high (over 4ft).
• The Power EZ lift is a popular, battery assisted hoist ideal for multiple locations.
• The fully automatic Portable Pro pool lift requires no poolside installation and is wheeled to where required. Janet Cornthwaite of Suntrap Systems commented: “We found the show extremely productive as it seemed to generate a lot of interest in the lifts we exhibited and we think the mid-week format was beneficial to both visitors and exhibitors.”
Suntrap Systems www.suntrap-systems.co.uk
SPA INNOVATIONS
Wellis, the brand offering premium solutions from the heart of Europe, recently introduced numerous innovations which were on display at SPATEX.
• In the Explorer spa, bathers can talk to each other in comfort thanks to the two loungers placed against each other.
• The Voyager spa is unique in the market thanks to its fi ve reclining places.
• The Discovery spa with four sitting places and a reclining place is perfect for relaxation. The team enjoyed a busy few days at the show, with many new leads in the pipeline.
Wellis www.wellis.eu
THE BEST YET
The Aqua Warehouse Group stand hosted the L.A. Spas and Vita Spa brands, which for the first time had Covana automated covers to compliment the hot tubs on display. The spacious and colourful stand gave a nice relaxed atmosphere with large seating areas to engage with dealers from all areas of the water leisure industry. Aqua Warehouse Group Managing Director Richard Hart reported that: “SPATEX 2017 was the best show to date. “To say we are exceptionally pleased with the overwhelming interest we received, especially towards the Covana covers is no understatement,” he added.
Aqua Warehouse Group www.aquawarehouse.co.uk
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
“O-Care had a great show, although it was different for us this time,” commented Roel Fassbender, Managing Director. “O-Care is becoming a well-known brand in the UK and we now work with many leading retailers in the country so a lot of people were asking about our products because their clients had asked them about it. This was a nice change because it shows that our way of sharing knowledge and helping our resellers is paying off. It’s not just about just pushing boxes and that added value is showing its rewards.” Roel added: “SPATEX also gave us the opportunity to meet with our current resellers and give them a scoop on what is coming up. We have new product developments coming up this year, as well as customer loyalty projects, so we are looking forward to the 2017 season.”
O-Care www.o-care.com
GLOBAL MARKET
Allseas Spas & Wellness were on hand at SPATEX to give visitors an insight into their comprehensive range of spa products. With over 150 spas and 75 swim spas stored together with all brands of spare parts, covers, electronics and pumps and heat pumps, Allseas Spas & Wellness has a fast growing market share in over 45 countries. The company not only manufactures its own spas, swim spas and exercise pools, but also stores parts for most of the other spa brands in the industry. Jan Smith of Allseas Spas & Wellness: “It was my pleasure to exhibit at SPATEX 2017 and I have told everyone at Allseas that it is an important must attend event in the wet leisure calendar. The quality of visitors was high.”
Allseas Spas & Wellness www.allseasspas.com
HEATING HOT TUBS
Bowman’s stand at SPATEX 2017 was a little different this year, as ‘Heating Hot Tubs Faster’ was a central theme for the show. Already renowned for their swimming pool heat exchangers, Bowman has developed an alternative solution for heating hot tubs, using their EC80 unit in conjunction with either gas fi red or bio-mass boilers. The stand illustrated how the EC80 can be used for either single, or multi tub installations, plus the benefits, which include significantly faster heat up times and reduced energy costs. Interest in this new approach was high, with many hot tub providers visiting the stand to find out more. Bowman also previewed a new style end cover for its popular ‘EC’ heat exchanger range, designed to simplify installation and reduce waste materials.
Bowman www.ejbowman.co.uk
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
Aqua Spa Supplies, part of the Aqua Warehouse Group, had its own dedicated stand at SPATEX 2017 and was continually busy with new and existing customers. “This has been by far the most productive show we have done and the amount of new trade accounts opened and orders taken has exceeded all expectations,” said John Mabey, Aqua Spa Supplies Manager. He added: “We set some pretty high goals to achieve at the show and we surpassed them on the first day alone.”
Aqua Spa Supplies www.aquaspasupplies.co.uk
