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SPN APR 2011 ShowReview
SPATEX 2011, BRIGHTON, UK
THIS: Catalina – more orders at SPATEX this year than for ten years LEFT: Passion Spas now feel they are accepted in the UK market
show designed to enable the disabled swimmer to be moved from the changing area to the poolside before being lifted into the pool. The Rover Transporter is for use with a moulded seat and is compatible with the manual EZ and the battery- assisted Power EZ Disabled Pool Lifts. Suntrap Systems were also promoting their ‘Aqua’ Disabled Lifts which can be used for in ground swimming pool, spas and therapy pools. Said Suntrap’s Managing Director Janet Cornthwaite: “There is still a growing demand for disabled lifts. More people are turning to hydrotherapy pools for recovery after illnesses or accidents and often the right sort of lift is essential to enabled them to make maximum use of these pools.”
CONFIDENT HOT TUB COMPANIES ENJOY WEEKEND Hot tub companies continue to be the most confident about growing sales in 2011.
Twenty one companies were at the show with either hot tubs or
swim spas and the response was one of strong orders, and high levels of interest. Swim spas in particular were said to be in real demand. Steven Crabb from Catalina Spas said being at SPATEX hadn’t changed his views about being very positive about the market. “We took more orders at the show this year than at any other SPATEX for the past ten years so yes it was good for us.
“I think that even in what have been some rough times; people are seeing beyond it and looking at the longer term. Some of our dealers have had a very good January and February and they are doing OK. Our sales are up on last year and our business last year was back in line with what we were doing in 2006 so there is a lot of positive news around. “At SPATEX we would have liked to have seen more people and from that point of view it was
disappointing but as I said we took some really good orders. The Saturday and Monday of the show were a bit low on numbers. We had
Elite – good response to their new Sunbelt models for 2011
a busy day on Sunday. What was interesting for us was that we saw people at the show who had done business with us, had gone away and were now coming back which is always an interesting cycle.” Dolf Nieland from Passion Spas said their experience at SPATEX was a very positive one.
“We feel this year we have
collection. The Somerset based company has 10 new spas in its range of US Sunbelt Spas. “We always make an effort at
SPATEX and work hard to make sure we see our dealers. There we did a lot of business but then the market is very busy for us anyway so it is what we expected.”
Huw Chivers, Managing Director
“I think that even in what have been some rough times; people are seeing beyond it...”
arrived and been accepted by the market. That is very important to us. We have exhibited before and I think there was a lot of uncertainty about us and perhaps people were not sure of what we were bringing to the market.
“This year at SPATEX we are very aware that the British market has looked at our products and taken time to see for themselves we offer the best possible quality and standards.”
Passion Spas, from the
Netherlands, believe that they have been right to spend time building relationships in the UK.
Dimension One were looking to recruit dealers in the UK
“It is true that like most markets the UK is very competitive and it also has some very good hot tubs available. With those sort of market conditions it becomes important to establish yourself slowly and see you are prepared to promote and offer back up service,” he added. Elite Spas reported an ‘excellent’ response to its all new spa
of Riptide Swim Spas and Exercise Pools, said he was delighted with the response for his swim spa range. Riptide’s story is not a usual one. When investigating manufacturers for his new designs Huw found the only country with companies able to make pools to his specifications, within the margins that are essential to be competitive, was China. “I spent a month in China meeting manufacturers, inspecting factories and following up on their references, which resulted in a co- operation to develop six unique moulds for Riptide Swim Spas. “I have visited the factory repeatedly throughout the pre- production period, and held their hand during the whole manufacturing process.
“My decision to come to SPATEX was fairly last minute but I sat there for three days and there was a lot of interest. It’s a great product and there’s so much interest in swim spas at the moment.” spn
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