Fluidra's CEO, Eloi Planes, was the key speaker at the KPMG Breakfast Talks
January 12, 2010Fluidra's CEO, Eloi Planes, was the keynote speaker at the talk organised for
this morning by KPMG. The Spanish multinational's top executive explained the
milestones in Fluidra's history to over 50 attendees. He discussed the secret
behind the transition from a successful family business to a listed company and
the current challenges facing a company dedicated to the world of water with clear
international aspirations.
The event, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary, was held at the Hotel Rey
Juan Carlos I in Barcelona. The breakfasts are intended for the senior
management of Catalonia's leading companies.
For over a decade, the main aim of the KPMG Breakfast Talks is to exchange
experiences and points of view about the current economic climate. The leading
business personality entrusted with opening the debate in 2010 was Eloi Planes, the
CEO of Fluidra, a multinational devoted to the development of applications for the
sustainable use of water.
In the speech that Fluidra's top executive delivered to over 50 attendees, he gave a
breakdown of the most memorable moments in the multinational's history: from its
beginnings in 1969 as a company specialising in the manufacture and distribution of
swimming pool equipment, to its current position as a leading company in the world
of water that is present in 31 countries and that distributes to over 170.
Eloi Planes explained that the company's international aspirations have always been
at the core of its DNA. Its first steps beyond the Spanish border were made when it
set up its first branch office in France in 1976. The company's international expansion
and its diversification through four business units (pools, water treatment, fluid
handling and irrigation) have enabled it to overcome these highly turbulent economic
times. The need for continued growth, greater resources and visibility led the
company's steering committee to decide to go public on 31 October 2007.
Fluidra's CEO explained the challenges and benefits of the changeover from a family
to a listed business. Eloi Planes stated the need for all employees to be aware of the
demands of the new environment, which requires the utmost professionalism from all
and great transparency.
To round off his talk, Eloi Planes gave an overview of the multinational's future
challenges. The company has a strategic plan that has enabled it to restructure its
organisation in these times of crisis. It has done so by basing its structure on
geographical areas so that it is able to exploit its international potential to the full.
Fluidra's current and future strategy is also designed to strengthen diversification and
innovation.
About the breakfasts
The aim of the KPMG Breakfast Talks is to serve as a multi-sectoral forum that deals
with the main current issues related to the world of business and economics. The
meetings are intended for the senior management of Catalonia's leading companies.
Since the Breakfasts were first set up in 2000, a number of personalities have taken
part such as Jordi Hereu, mayor of Barcelona; Salvador Alemany, CEO of Abertis;
Lluís Bassat, Honorary Chairman of the Bassat Ogilvy Group; Josep Piqué,
Chairman of Vueling; Miquel Valls, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of
Barcelona; and Joan Hortalà, Chairman of the Barcelona Stock Exchange.