The third edition of the Barometer study for Spain's pool sector

The third edition of the Barometer study for Spain's pool sector confirms the commitment and support of the ASOFAP and the Piscina & Wellness Barcelona exhibition in terms of knowledge and added value for the pool sector.

The barometer - made according to the opinions of 228 participating companies - provides an exhaustive analysis of the sector's turnover, both according to business area (new construction, renovation, and maintenance services) and according to installation type (private pool or for public use) or sales area (ranging from local to international) of the participating companies. 

The swimming pool sector forecasts a turnover of 1,274 million euros, 6% more than in 2018

2019 will be a new year of sustained growth for the swimming pool sector in Spain, demonstrating the good health of its companies and the dynamism of a market that is very receptive to innovation. The sector expects to close the year with a turnover of 1,274 million euros, almost 6% more than the previous year.

This good performance of the current business is also manifested in the Business Confidence Index 2019-2020, which stands at 43.7 points, and which measures both optimism and confidence of entrepreneurs, as well as real business data. 56.1% of the companies consulted consider their business prospects for 2019 to be favourable, 39.9% average and 3.9% unfavourable.

This level of confidence is lower than previous years (68.5 in 2017-18, and 63.5 points in 2018-19) which seems to point to a slowdown in business growth for companies in the swimming pool sector in 2020, probably motivated by economic uncertainty. However, 44.3% of the companies in the sector expect 2020 to be a favourable year; 46.9% expect average growth, while 8.8 have unfavourable prospects.

For the president of ASOFAP, Pedro Arrebola, the key to increasing confidence levels is to continue to push for innovation and the professionalisation of the sector.  

26,000 new swimming pools will be built in Spain this year

Spain is the fourth country in the world and the second in Europe in terms of the number of swimming pools, with a current total 1.3 million units. It is, therefore, a mature market with special appeal in terms of equipment, maintenance, refurbishment and comprehensive renovation of these facilities. 

With regard to the type of swimming pools according to their use, 64% of the firms' business is dedicated to the installation or maintenance of residential swimming pools, that is, those located in private homes. Meanwhile, the volume of business from public and communal swimming pools (residential communities, tourist establishments, water parks and sports centres) accounts for 36% of the market. 

Compared to 2018, the sector is less concerned about the effects of on-line sales of swimming pool products, but sees a need to find a solution to the consumer's lack of knowledge about the companies' technical competence. 

As for the products in most demand this year, salt electrolysis equipment leads the ranking, followed by LED lighting systems, process automation solutions such as robot cleaners as well as dosing and control systems continue to be in high demand...

The complete data from the barometer will be presented on Tuesday 15th October at 6.30 p.m. at the Piscina & Wellness Barcelona Exhibition (Fira de Barcelona) by Agustí Ferrer (Managing Director, ASOFAP). Here are some significant excerpts.