Fluidra acquires 72% of the leading South African pool company for 17 million euros
July 31, 2015-
WaterLinx is the largest manufacturer of parts for swimming pools and their treatment in Africa, with sales of approximately 32 million euros and its own production.
- South Africa is the sixth largest pool market in the world and a gateway to other countries on the continent, such as Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
- The operation will allow Fluidra to strengthen its growth in the southern hemisphere, thereby balancing the seasonal nature of its business.
Fluidra, a multinational group traded on the Spanish stock market and devoted to developing applications for sustainable water use, will control the South African company WaterLinx, the market leader in swimming pools in Africa. The transaction, valued at 17 million euros, will allow Fluidra to take over a shareholding of 72% in the South African company, while the remaining 28% stays in the hands of WaterLinx shareholders and executives.
In South Africa, WaterLinx has a market share of more than 30%, with annual sales of 32 million euros. The company has four production centers and ten sales branches located throughout South Africa.
South Africa is the sixth largest pool market in the world, with nearly 800,000 residential pools and 2,000 public pools. Thanks to this operation, Fluidra is moving forward in Africa, and in South Africa more specifically, where it will be promoting the sale of value-added products for private pools, as well as the commercial pool and irrigation areas. The country is also a gateway towards other markets on this continent, because it has a major influence over countries in its region, such as Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, as well as the other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Eloi Planes, Fluidra’s CEO, explains: “This operation will allow us to strengthen our growth in the southern hemisphere so as to increasingly balance the seasonal nature of our business.”
South Africa is the most modern and advanced economy in Sub-Saharan Africa and accounts for 23% of the continent’s GDP. With a population of 52 million people, the country is experiencing a rise in its middle class and has become one of the BRICS countries with the greatest growth potential, as well as the only African country forming part of the G20.
Fluidra opened its first subsidiary in the country in 2009, with sales branches in Johannesburg and Cape Town. In Africa, Fluidra also has own presence in Morocco and Egypt.
Fluidra, national and international benchmark for sustainable use of water
Fluidra is a multinational group listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange, dedicated to developing applications for sustainable water use. The company specialises in solutions for water conservation, handling, treatment and enjoyment.
Fluidra operates in 44 countries by way of 150 branches and production centres located in the main markets. Fluidra products are distributed to more than 170 countries due to an extensive sales network. The group has some 4,100 employees.
Respect for water and its rational use are two concepts at the core of the philosophy of the group. The companies which comprise Fluidra, some of these with 40 years of experience, have grown with this vision, specializing in a four business units: water treatment, fluid handling, irrigation and pool/wellness.