Basecrete Technologies, a leading provider of waterproofing solutions, has announced that it has now become a master distributor for Litokol, a renowned manufacturer of high-performance construction materials. This partnership is expected to leverage the market penetration of Basecrete’s products while providing Litokol with greater market access and exposure.

With over 25 years in the industry, Basecrete Technologies has established a strong reputation in the construction industry as a provider of innovative, high-quality waterproofing solutions. Its flagship product, Basecrete, is a unique waterproofing membrane that has gained widespread adoption among pool contractors worldwide and accounts for roughly 70% of all pools being waterproofed in the industry, according to Vito Mariano, President of Basecrete Technologies.

“We’ve been experimenting with Litokol in Europe for a couple of years now, and we’re excited to announce that we’re now officially a distributor for their products. We believe that by distributing Litokol, we can provide our contractors and builders with a distinct advantage in the industry,” said Vito Mariano.

Litokol, based in Rubiera, Italy, has been developing and producing high-quality products for over 55 years. Their product line includes adhesives, grouts, sealants, and waterproofing materials that are renowned for their durability and performance. With a strong focus on research and development, Litokol is constantly innovating and improving its products to meet the changing needs of the pool construction industry.

“This is an extremely exciting deal for Basecrete,” says owner Vito Mariano. “Litokol is world renowned as the finest and most innovative producer of tile and grout products. Being able to offer our distributors and customers these add-on necessities allows us to provide a complete system for the tile industry.”

Mariano believes that Litokol’s product line is a perfect fit for Basecrete. “Litokol’s materials are known for their high performance and durability, which aligns perfectly with our philosophy of providing our customers with the best possible products on the market. We’re confident that this will help us take both our brands to the next level.”

This new distribution partnership between Basecrete and Litokol is expected to benefit both companies by expanding their market reach and offering customers a wider range of high-quality construction chemicals. As Mariano put it, “We’re excited to be working with Litokol, and we’re looking forward to the opportunities this will bring and are thrilled that we can provide our customers with the best possible solutions for their construction needs.”

Listen to our entire conversation with Vito Mariano on the Pool Magazine podcast.

The retail industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, and 2023 is no exception. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the industry, with many retailers experiencing closures, reduced foot traffic, and decreased sales. In addition to these challenges, retailers must also navigate an increasingly competitive landscape. Inflation has certainly made operating a traditional brick-and-mortar store a much more expensive proposition.

To get a better understanding of how online retailers are thriving in a changing economy we spoke with Frank Vitori, owner and co-founder of AquaBlu Mosaics, a leading eCommerce site in the pool & spa vertical.

“AquaBlu was actually established back in 2013,” explained Vitori, “we started the company because we saw a giant void in the online world for distribution of swimming pool products. At that time, we actually just started out with the pool mosaics, the dolphins and turtles, the ornamental type stuff. Before we knew it, it started to catch. Over time, we started expanding categories and it quickly became known that glass tile was our core competency.”

Today AquaBlu Mosaics has become a leading source for many products that pool professionals use on a daily basis. The website has been growing its inventory by rapidly adding new distributors. The company is also on a mission to win hearts and minds within the industry itself, according to Vitori.

“We’re excited to say that we’ve experienced great growth since 2013,” said Vitori, “we put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into the company. I’m humbled when I say I feel that in the online world, AquaBlu Mosaics has positioned itself as the go-to online distributor for all things pertaining to pool tile, accessories, and outdoor living furniture. Fast forward to 2023. I’m proud to say that AquaBlu is becoming more of a household name. If you want to compare it to National Pool Tile or Noble Tile, Aquabella, or any of those firms I would say that AquaBlu is right there with these brick-and-mortar distributors.

Vitori attributes a big reason for growth to its internet and marketing strategy. Aqua Blu Mosaics ranks as one of the top websites in a search query for pool tile. The website dominates for many pool-related keywords on popular products they sell on their website.

“I want to say that glass tile is at least 40% of our sales. We really have become the go-to guys for all of the specialty products. I like to say that we have all the fun stuff. We’re a small group and very boutique in nature but offer unparalleled customer service,” said Vitori.

The retailer credits engagement with pool professionals at numerous levels as another factor for growth and has been eager to expand AquaBlu’s builder network. “We have a wholesale program that’s called our AquaPro Trade Network, where we offer extremely competitive rates to our pool builders, contractors, designers, and landscape architects,” explained Vitori.

The strategy is one that retailers like him are using to great success. Ecommerce sites like AquaBlu Mosaics have been able to thrive in the face of a changing economy in a number of different ways. One key factor is their ability to reach a wider audience than traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. Online stores can sell to customers anywhere in the world, which has helped them to weather economic downturns and shifts in local consumer behavior.

Another advantage for online retailers is their ability to offer a more convenient shopping experience. Customers can shop from the comfort of their own homes, at any time of day, and have their purchases delivered directly to their doorstep. Vitori says offering this type of convenience has helped online retailers like him to attract and retain customers, even during times of economic uncertainty.

“We cater to all tastes and budgets,” said Vitori, “I can’t tell you how many times builders, and even homeowners, they come to us with an idea. They’re not quite sure how to produce it. And most often, we can not only tell them how to produce it, but we can give them multiple ways on how to do it and at different price levels.”

Online retailers like Vitori have also been able to take advantage of advancements in technology that enable them to spot trends as they occur and increase profitability. One trend Vitori spotted early last year was an increase in the sale of artificial grass which he credits to the ongoing drought in many parts of the country. “It all makes logical sense, right? I mean, a lot of homeowners are trying to mitigate their water expenses. Some people also don’t like lawn maintenance,” said Vitori.

“AquaBlu Mosaics represents 26 different manufacturing brands,” said Vitori who anticipates adding even more exciting brands to his growing online catalog this year. Vitori says being a leading online retailer gives him a distinct advantage over brick-and-mortar stores. Consequently, he’s able to scale quickly, bring on more distributors, and add more of the hot products that consumers are truly searching for.

Want to learn more about how online retailers like AquaBlu Mosaics are leveling the playing field? Listen to our entire conversation with Frank Vitori on the Pool Magazine podcast.

The Household Robots Market is projected to grow from USD 9.2 billion in 2022 to USD 19.3 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 16.0% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2027, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets™. The growth of this market is driven by the increasing demand for robots in the domestic segment, growing demand for autonomous robots, increasing government initiatives for the development of robotic technologies, and rising use of IoT in robots for cost-effective predictive maintenance.

Pool Cleaning Applications Held 2nd Largest Share of Household Robots Market in 2021

A robotic pool cleaner is a highly advanced device for cleaning the pool and is seen as a desirable product in the market. Quick, reliable, and easy features are significant factors that boost product demand in the industry. The growth avenues in the global market are attributed to the increasing disposable income worldwide, which further increases their expenditure capacities on the leisure activities, such as swimming and other related trips. These activities encourage increased involvement in swimming and thus bolster the requirement for the equipment and some other required items to clean the pool.

Domestic Robots Segment to Hold Larger Market During Forecast Period

Domestic robots include 4 applications: vacuuming, lawn mowing, pool cleaning, and window cleaning. The vacuuming application has the largest share of the market for domestic robots. The growth of the market for domestic robots can be attributed to the popularity of products such as robotic vacuums, as well as increasing consumer awareness and acceptance of indoor and outdoor smart home appliances. Technological improvements in domestic robots, such as area mapping and voice assistant integration, coupled with the practical benefits of automating household chores, enable them to occupy a larger market share.

The North American region held the second-largest share of the household robots market in 2021 by value. This can be attributed mostly to the popularity and sales of robotic pool vacuums and lawnmowers in the US and Canada. The influx of IoT and the adoption of autonomous technology are strong in this region, thus helping the household robots market grow rapidly.

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Featured Photo Credit: Aiper