Joan Planes, Honorary President of Fluidra, has passed away at the age of 83, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the pool and water management industry. A visionary entrepreneur and humanist, he was the key architect of Fluidra's growth and development.

A tribute to a pioneer who shaped the pool industry

Born on 16 August 1941 in Estamariu, Lleida, Spain, Joan Planes studied at the Conciliar Seminary of La Seu d'Urgell until the age of 17, before moving to Barcelona, where he earned a degree in industrial engineering. In 1969, he co-founded Astral S.A. in Barcelona alongside the Serra, Corbera, and Garrigós families.

Under his leadership for 37 years, the company evolved into the multinational group Fluidra, specialising in pool products and operating in over 47 countries.

Joan Planes was a vital pillar in both the development of Fluidra and the pool industry as a whole. His vision, determination, and humanity laid the foundations of the company, reflecting the core values that continue to guide Fluidra today: teamwork, innovation, and commitment.

Beyond the pool industry, he also left his mark on the fields of finance and business. Above all, he was driven by the ambition to create an ecosystem centred on people's well-being. The principles that drive Fluidra today unmistakably bear the imprint of his values. In 2016, Joan Planes was named Honorary President of Fluidra, and his son, Eloi Planes, assumed the executive presidency of the group.

Even after stepping back from operational duties, Joan Planes remained committed to society through the Fundació Fluidra. He worked tirelessly to make a positive impact on the planet and the lives of the most vulnerable, translating his ideals of solidarity and sustainability into concrete actions.

His passing leaves an immense void, but his legacy, both as an entrepreneur and as a human being, will remain etched in memory.

The EuroSpaPoolNews team shares the sorrow of this immense loss and extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, and especially to Eloi Planes, the members of Fluidra and the Fundació Fluidra, and to all the professionals in the pool industry who had the privilege of meeting him and were inevitably inspired and enriched by his values.