POOL | SPA | PATIO, LAS VEGAS, USA
COAST SPAS ‘VANISHING EDGE’ TUBS
Hot tubs were out in force in Las Vegas – Sunbelt, Premium Leisure, Viking, Coast, Caldera, and more. Mona Lisa from China introduced a huge, impressive swim spa. The hit of the show however was Coast Spas with its innovative and patented vanishing edge spas, which caused a big hit in Barcelona’s big European event last autumn. Absent from the Las Vega show however were some big hot tub names including, Jacuzzi, Hot Spring and Cal Spas.
SMARTOP – A NEW WORLDWIDE PRODUCT? One of the products which caused a lot of interest was the new Smartop spa cover from Leisure Concepts
IntelliPro Variable Speed and SVRS pump models caused an instant hit. The IntelliFlo is the world’s smartest swimming pool pump. Its onboard computer and intelligent software automatically calculate and programme the minimum flow requirements for every pool task – filtering, heating, cleaning, spa jets, water features and more – to optimise performance and minimise energy use.
PALINTEST 9 – THE RIGHT PRODUCT AT THE RIGHT TIME Pool testing is currently a big theme in the US after a number of high profile incidents which attracted a lot of media cover. All that probably explains why the new Palintest testers were a hit at the show.
ShowReview FEB 2012 SPN
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CHINA MAKES ITS MOVE INTO US MARKET AT LAS VEGAS
A new aggressive approach from a record number of Chinese companies exhibiting at the Las Vegas trade show has caused growing levels of concern amongst the US specialist trade.
At the International Pool, Spa and Patio Expo in Las Vegas, 30 Chinese manufacturing companies occupied booth space on the Mandalay Bay Convention Center’s show floor. Approximately half were new exhibitors. “This whole thing is gaining momentum, like a snowball travelling downhill,” said one buying group executive.
Chinese based manufacturers had been working hard initially to establish a base with hot tub and sauna sales throughout the United States. But as part of a 2012 strategy, pool covers, spa accessories, pumps and UV systems are suddenly available on the UK market from China.
The significant presence of pool and spa products in China is nothing new. But what is raising eyebrows is the extent to which China-based firms have made themselves at home on US shores.
Greg Howard, Chief Executive of Carecraft Inc, a buying group based in California estimated that 25-30% of chemicals, as well as pumps, filters and heaters, sold in the United States are now likely to be made in China. The market for covers and vinyl liners, he said, is about 50% Chinese- manufactured, while pool games, toys and floats are closer to 70%. In addition, virtually all patio furniture currently is made in China. But a number of long-standing factors still hinder broad acceptance of pool and spa equipment in the United States. The time and costs associated with delivery, particularly for replacement parts or components, can be prohibitive, critics said. And many Chinese manufacturers won’t ship small quantities.
which is being tipped as a worldwide winning piece of innovation. The Smartop is a completely new product in the spa cover market. Made from foam sandwiched between PVC decking with a moulded radius, the Smartop is priced about double the cost of a vinyl ‘walk-on’ type cover and is not completely customisable as a typical vinyl walk-on or vinyl/foam cover either. The manufacturers say there’s a need for a high end product with a really heavy duty durable cover.
PENTAIR’S INTELLIFLO WINS OVER THE US
Pentair Water Pool and Spa showcased its new XF (Xtreme Flow) line of pumps, filters and valves. The latest, energy-efficient IntelliFlo and
The new Pooltest 9 Premier adds new tests, calculations, and features to the successful technology leading Pooltest 9 and 25 Professional Series of instruments. The Pooltest 9 Premier is the mid-range complement to the Pooltest 3 & 6 Tech Series and the Pooltest 25 Professional. Palintest has been the technology leader in photometric water analysis equipment dedicated to the pool and spa industry for nearly 25 years. Originally developed for large commercial pool applications the technology has now advanced to provide the same enhanced performance for all users. Quality does exist at an even more affordable price with the full range of photometers and the precisely dosed reagent ‘blister packaging’.
IT’S NEW ORLEANS FOR 2012
The 2012 Int’l Pool, Spa and Patio Expo will be held from the 6 to 8 November at the Morial Convention Centre in New Orleans, Louisiana. The educational conference will be held from the 3 to 8 November.
The ability to service Chinese brands is another concern, as is the difficulty of doing business with a company whose employees may not speak fluent English, or fully understand Western culture. “There are hurdles – trust and confidence, quality, and a lack of communication,” said Joseph Gigl, Vice President of US operations for Bridging China International. “And some of these things make it difficult for a legitimate company to do business.
“But I do think the market penetration is going to get a lot deeper because the communication, processes and technology are getting better,” he added. “And I think that in order to be competitive in today’s business environment, you almost have to produce parts overseas.” Established in 2005, Bridging China supplies its US customers, mostly distributors, with a full catalogue of products, from heat pumps to maintenance kits to pool ladders. In addition to a one-year written warranty on nearly all items, the Shanghai-based firm carries full product liability insurance. And though China traditionally has been known for poor quality, many manufacturing plants now are closer to those in the United States in materials and practices.
In fact, many of the same Chinese facilities that produce pool and spa equipment for major US manufacturers are simultaneously churning out similar, non-branded products.
“The Chinese are just learning how to use capitalism better. In a free market, you can choose who your supplier is, and if you believe in that type of system, they have a right to be there.
“They may not be as good at marketing,” he added, “but for retailers, the pricing is so low that it’s worth the risk.”
The level of Chinese craftsmanship on display in Las Vegas was said to impress retailers.
One leading wholesaler said: “More and more, I don’t think people care about the brand, especially if they can save 40% or more. What’s the difference when you’re talking about a company that warehouses it here, but it’s made in China? In my opinion, the customer would rather get a better price.”
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