The Pool & Spa SCENE team reports from another busy SPATEX trade show…
SPATEX, the water leisure industry trade show established and organised by the industry, for the industry is already looking ahead to 2026 when it will celebrate its 30th event. With figures still to be added for the 2025 trade show, SPATEX has generated income valued at ÂŁ10.8 million since it was founded in 1997 with ÂŁ8m spent on expenditure.
A profit pot of over ÂŁ2m has been redistributed to the British Swimming Pool Federation and Pool Industry Promotion with ÂŁ146,000 in sponsorship of the Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers. The SPATEX Foundation has received ÂŁ90,000 with ÂŁ8,000 going to sponsorship of Trade Aid and ÂŁ70,000 spend on SPATEX videos and other promotional materials.
A further £56,000 was used to fund member discounts for BISHTA and SPATA. “Various bodies have benefitted from the Funds, used for purposes such as promotion, education, standards, and wider industry support,” commented Chris Hayes, SPATEX Managing Director.
“Only part of the money allocated for the Foundation has currently been spent, but it is allocated for projects which recently includes £10,000 towards research by The University of Portsmouth on the benefits of warm water immersion on Type 2 Diabetes. “There is another Foundation application to be heard next month and we would welcome enquiries from suitable projects.”
Visitors from 24 countries gathered at the Coventry Building Society Arena at the beginning of February for SPATEX 2025. The first international showcase of water leisure in the calendar year; products on display included swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, ice baths and hot tubs taking centre stage.
SEMINAR PROGRAMME
Visitors also had access to a double seminar programme, providing the latest technical and health and safety guidance, visitors were treated to a display of the very latest models, innovations and trends from over a hundred leading companies drawn from around the world.
Certikin once again dominated the central area of the show with displays divided into main product areas such as outdoor living, liners and environmental control through Danthem. “We had an incredible three days at the show, reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new customers,” said Chris Green, Head Of Marketing on behalf of the Certikin team.
One of the busiest stands at the show, Plastica showcased their high-quality UK-manufactured products alongside their commercial range. Highlights included working reel systems and RPRO – Calcium Hypochlorite, their professional-grade swimming pool water treatment. This range offers everything you need for maintaining a healthy water balance, available in bulk quantities of 25kg, with the option to order full pallet sizes at discounted rates.
Plastica was thrilled to announce that they are now the exclusive UK distributor for DIAMANT, one of europe’s leading manufacturer of pools and pool enclosures. Diamant joined Plastica on the stand to introduce their luxury one-piece pools, available in stainless steel or polypropylene. The newly updated Relax Pool range also stood out on a specially designed display.
Plastica’s Business Development Director, Fraser McCallough commented: “The stand was filled with energy and excitement, with attendees eager to learn more. Plastica’s deep industry experience and commitment was on full display, with dedicated staff demonstrating products, answering questions and engaging with pool trade colleagues.”
Top SPATEX performers included one of the strongest ever team turn-outs for the Golden Coast distributor team. A stand-out new exhibition stand design provided the ideal platform for a variety of market-leading products including the X20 heatpump, the new Kuntze dosing system with Golden Coast confirmed as the UK’s premier Kuntze partner.
Tylo reflection sauna cabin, Speck pumps, Aquadeck cover systems and the Porta sauna offering so much showroom display appeal and a firm favourite for variety of avenues from hire to pop-up purchases.
GREAT SUCCESS
Marking their 45th anniversary, visitors to the Heatstar stand were able to discuss a broad energy efficient product range and learn more about them from the knowledgeable team. Heatstar’s extensive product offering for swimming pools includes award-winning environmental control systems and highly-efficient heat pumps.
“We would like to say thank you to all the visitors who joined us on the stand,” said Heatstar’s Mark Osman. “Your presence and engagement made the event a great success.” Building on their product portfolio offering year-on-year, Ocea UK, part of the giant CF group, put on another impressive SPATEX presentation of not-to-be missed product across swimming pool essentials and must-haves.
Generously serving food and drink for all visitors to their stand, the Ocea UK team were hosts with the most, as they shared the merits of their biggest range of products every displayed. Core foundation ranges of their top-end slatted covers have been strengthened by the addition of a DEL range that is not just covers but liners too. Heat pumps, cleaners, an impressive range of counter-currents plus a diverse variety of energy efficient pumps – Ocea had all bases covered.
STAND OUT RANGE
Backing their stand-out range of superior product offered with the back-up of technical knowledge and a huge helping of customer care, the Lighthouse Pools team continue to build on sustained investment in premier division products and people.
There was no time for the busy Lighthouse Pools team to be basking in the glory of having been named the UK’s leading trade supplier in the UK Pool & Spa Awards for the fourth time in six years. The product-packed Lighthouse stand offered everything from pumps and filters to heat pumps and cleaners with spotlights shining on the Heat Form panel pool, the Bayrol range of water treatment products, its Coverseal covers and the Polytropic heat pumps.
Exact attendance figures were not available to Pool & Spa SCENE before going to print but 2025 was a thoroughly enjoyable event. SPATEX Organiser, Michele Bridle says: “A big thank you to all our wonderful exhibitors and visitors for making this 29th show such a resounding success. “It is a great prelude to our milestone 30th anniversary edition, February 3rd to 5th 2026, which marks three decades of SPATEX proudly serving and showcasing the water leisure industry.”
