Marking its 21st anniversary milestone this year, SPATEX returned to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry in January and it didn’t disappoint. More than 100 exhibitors filled the show floor for the 2017 event, which was the first occasion in SPATEX’s history that the show has been held midweek. Some 1,360 visitors made their way through the doors of the Ericsson Exhibition Hall during the three-day exhibition, with over 100 overseas visitors from 18 European countries and some from as far afield as North America.
Training and education is at the forefront of the SPATEX offering and ISPE General Secretary, Ross Alcock, reported an outstanding attendance for the SPATEX 2017 ISPE Workshop programme. Just under 500 delegates attended the seminars over the three days, over six per cent up on 2016 and, by way of another comparison, a staggering 42 per cent up on the very respectable attendance figures from 2012, just five years ago. “All sessions of this year’s very varied programme were well attended and, once again, the evidence shows how the increasing thirst for knowledge and training has helped to make the ISPE workshop programme an integral part of the SPATEX success story,” commented Show Organiser Michele Bridle. Although footfall was slightly down on last year, many exhibitors came away with strong sales leads on the back of quality enquiries.
Jamie Adams of Golden Coast commented: “SPATEX is a superb platform for us to showcase a range of new product innovations, catch up with customers and make valuable new contacts. “Footfall may have been slightly down but the quality of visitors was certainly up and we came away with a healthy crop of enquires to develop. For anyone in the water leisure industry make sure you add next year’s dates to your diary as the show really has come of age.” The dates for 2018 edition of the show have been confirmed as Tuesday January 30th to Thursday February 1st inclusive.
For more information, visit www.spatex.co.uk.
Expert Advice
SCP is leading worldwide distributor of swimming pool equipment, spas and related leisure products. Stand-out products that the SCP were promoting at SPATEX included pool enclosures, commercial pool equipment and new spas. Visitors to the SCP stand were able to get expert advice from the team and learn more about the comprehensive range of products.
SCP UK www.scpeurope.com
New Partnerships
First time SPATEX exhibitors Aquafeat showcased their range of reinforced concrete pools at the show in January. A spokesperson for Aquafeat commented: “We would like to enter the UK market this year, so SPATEX was a good way to approach professional pool builders directly. “We presented our permanent formwork for the construction of reinforced concrete pools which is used by more than 100 pool builders mainly in France, but also abroad. “Following SPATEX, we are in discussion with several British pool builders and hope that this will lead us to new partnerships.”
Aquafeat www.aquafeat.fr
Strength To Strength
Visitors flocked to the Certikin stand at SPATEX 2017. The Caldera Spas Utopia Series Cantabria drew a lot of attention, as did the new Dolphin floor cleaner – the Wave 200. The ground breaking, super lightweight OC-1 filter media, launched early 2016, is going from strength to strength and the introduction of two new complimentary OC-1 filters for the commercial and domestic markets has reinforced interest further. Cath Saunders, Marketing Manager says: “We had a very successful show from start to finish with lots of new leads to follow up. We are already looking forward to next year.” Managing Director, Neil Murray added: “SPATEX was a great success. Well done Michele and the rest of the team.”
Certikin www.certikin.co.uk
Ultimate Pool Control
SPATEX 2017 was a great showcase event for Gaffey and generated some very good enquiries for the team. Andrew Gaffey, Technical Director at Gaffey commented: “Our new Hyprolyser iSEC® electrochlorinators and chloriDES® pool controllers drew a lot of interest on our stand, particularly with being the first time they were on show in the UK. “We have not exhibited at SPATEX for a few years so we decided to invest in a larger and brighter stand to create a clearer message of what we do, and I think it came off really well for us. The technical seminars and after show party also offered great networking opportunities too.”
Gaffey Technical Services www.gaffey.co.uk
Latest Innovations
Golden Coast put its best foot forward at SPATEX 2017, showcasing its latest innovations, as well as a host of product lines that keep customers coming back again and again. Dura Pro heat pumps and Adagio Pro lighting systems were two of the latest additions on show as well as the Waterway’s robust spa steps and the Visionlift range of cover lifters. Golden Coast also launched Crystal, its automatic dosing support system. Designed to take the hassle out of automatic dosing, installation, maintenance and repairs, it gives installers the option of outsourcing this work; from specifying and fitting systems right through to delivering routine maintenance.
Golden Coast www.goldenc.com
Double Debut
Heatstar reported an excellent SPATEX this year with two new products making their debut exclusively at the show. First up was the Aquarius COMPACT – a self-contained dependable pool water heating system utilising free renewable energy from the surrounding air. The COMPACT has all the proven Heatstar benefits of quality construction and energy efficiency but now in a new compact size for easy installation. Then came the launch of the new Phoenix MP. By utilising two separate plate heat recuperators the Phoenix MP has increased the potential for heat recovery from any pool room air exhausted to outside, along with offering enhanced ‘free’ cooling.
Heatstar www.heatstar.com
Exceeding Goals
SPATEX 2017 saw the introduction of the Lovibond® MD 110 photometer with smart, Bluetooth® connectivity to the AquaLX® app and the inaugural UK appearance of the enhanced Scuba II with the additional parameter for Bromine (0.2-13.5mg/l). “The Lovibond® team always attends SPATEX with five goals in mind: to release new products; to meet new contacts; to network with industry experts; to present and educate on water testing and, of course, to have a bit of fun. 2017 did not disappoint on any of our targets,” commented a spokesperson for Lovibond. “As for amusement, what else can we say? According to photographic evidence, the cowboy evening was well enjoyed and we still have the hats.”
Lovibond www.lovibondwater.com
New Products
NIVEKO has had a stand at the SPATEX trade fair on a regular basis for several years now, with the aim of presenting its latest innovations at the start of the upcoming season. The main attraction at the stand this year was the Underflow, NIVEKO’s new type of overflow pool. The Underflow features a highly individual overflow pool design, where water flows away under the floor, meaning there is no need for any edge or trim where the trough surface ends. The design is rounded off by NIVEKO’s unique Apollo steps, roller benches and slats, with a strong accent on yellow.
NIVEKO www.niveko-pools.com
Strong Line-Up
AstralPool once again supported SPATEX 2017 with a strong line-up of products on display. Highlights of the AstralPool UK stand this year included the new NANOFIBER Auto Filter, a luxurious GRP Tiled Spa, plus a first look at the new dedicated Spa/Pool Hub Touch Screen Control System. New for 2017, AstralPool UK had a shared area with their long standing Advanced Swimming Pool Climate Control Systems partners – Heatstar, where customers were able to discuss projects and find out more about the product range with representatives from both companies.
AstralPool UK www.astralpool.co.uk
Covers And More
The Ocea team enjoyed a successful few days at the show, as Alan Thorne, Director of Ocea UK explains: “SPATEX is a great platform to meet with the industry all under one roof which allowed us to speak directly with many trade accounts. Our stand created interest and has opened many doors and inquiries. “The new colour slat range was well received and the already proven HydroStar turbine driven counter flow system also gained new enquiries. But it was our concept idea of the stainless training pool, which would be available as a kit including a fully automatic slatted cover and HyrdoStar unit, which gave us the biggest reaction.”
Ocea www.ocea.be
Birthday Celebrations
Plastica was not only exhibiting its new product ranges and trusted core manufactured items for the pool industry, but was also celebrating its 45th year of trading at SPATEX 2017. As well as covers, liners, wooden pools and the Relax pool range for chemicals on display, the Plastica team also showcased a host new products, including the rebranded Relax Spa chemicals and marketing materials, and not one but two new counter current units – the X-Stream through the wall and Aquajet 100 over the wall. As well as the Aquagarde spa water conditioner, the new Relax dehumidifier has also been added to Plastica’s ever-growing range of trademarked products.
Plastica www.plasticapools.net
Product Launch
Waxman Ceramics enjoyed a successful show and enjoyed meeting new and familiar customers and others within the industry. The team unveiled the brand new Pool & Spa Collection and Anti-Slip range of tiles and mosaics, which proved to be hugely popular amongst visitors. A spokesperson for Waxman commented: “Waxman Ceramics were present to spread the word about the brand new ranges we have introduced, and to meet with our customers to discuss their requirements. The highlight was being able to finally launch all of the new tiles in our new Pool & Spa Collection to such a targeted audience of pool and spa professionals.”
Waxman Ceramics www.waxmanceramics.co.uk
Treasure Hunt
Pollet Pool Group showcased some of its bestselling products at SPATEX 2017, including products from their new high-end PPG Deluxe Package and also the PPG Comfort Package. There was also the opportunity for visitors to learn more about PPG’s new slatted cover partner Aquadeck and Dryden Aqua’s integrated DAISY filtration system. Pollet’s annual Treasure Hunt Quiz once again proved to be a popular activity, with many visitors to the stand taking part. The winner of the Treasure Hunt Quiz was Mike Graves of Aquastyle Pools Ltd, who won a weekend break for two in Munich, which will include a trip to the Oktoberfest 2017.
Pollet Pool Group www.polletpoolgroup.co.uk
