Press Releases
Fluidra Continues to Accelerate Growth With Acquisition of S.R. Smith
Fluidra S.A. (BME: FDR), the Spanish listed global leader in pool and wellness equipment and connected solutions, today announced it has acquired S.R. Smith, a US-based manufacturer of commercial and residential pool deck equipment and accessories, from Champlain Capital, a private equity fund based in San Francisco and Boston.
- Addition of the US-based manufacturer of commercial and residential pool deck equipment and accessories will bolster Fluidra’s position in the commercial and residential pool segments.
- S.R. Smith’s product offering and manufacturing expertise are highly complementary to Fluidra’s business, expanding growth prospects and creating value for existing and new customers.
- The acquisition values S.R. Smith at $240 million and is expected to be cash EPS accretive to Fluidra in 2021.
Founded in 1932, S.R. Smith is a leading global manufacturer specializing in commercial and residential pool deck equipment and accessories. Their product portfolio, which is complementary to Fluidra’s offering, is extensive and includes starting blocks, rails, ladders, slides, diving boards, ADA-compliant lifts, swimwall systems, thermal cover systems and in-pool furniture.
Headquartered in Canby, Oregon, S.R. Smith operates manufacturing facilities from multiple locations in the United States and Australia. Their products are supported by distributors around the world, with focus in the United States, Australia, Canada and Europe. With the addition of S.R. Smith, Fluidra will further expand its existing operational network, increasing the company’s overall product delivery capability.
The acquisition was valued at $240 million and was fully settled at closing with existing cash and debt facilities. The transaction is expected to be accretive to Fluidra’s cash EPS from day one. Fluidra is raising its 2021 guidance based on the expected positive contribution from the S.R. Smith acquisition as follows:
- Sales growth will increase from 35-40% to 37-42%
- EBITDA margin will stay between 25% to 25.5%
- Cash EPS growth will increase from 80-90% to 83-93%
“Our ultimate goal is to be the best partner in the industry for our customers. In the past year, we’ve doubled down on our commitment to grow in different market segments and product categories and have made strategic acquisitions in North America of Built Right Pool Heaters LLC’s business and Custom Molded Products LLC to bring us closer to that goal,” said Bruce Brooks, Chief Executive Officer of Fluidra. “This latest acquisition of S.R. Smith doesn’t just move us one step closer, it propels us. S.R. Smith is an exceptional company with a talented team and stellar reputation. Their specialized expertise and comprehensive portfolio of products will accelerate our future growth in the commercial and residential pool segments and will ultimately allow us to better serve our customers in North America and around the world.”
“We are excited to join the Fluidra family,” said Rich Laitta, Chief Executive Officer of S.R. Smith. “With their strong dedication to meeting customer needs, focus on innovative solutions and services, and global market expertise, we believe this move will facilitate the next evolution of growth for S.R. Smith.”
Following the acquisition, S.R. Smith will continue to operate independently from its Oregon headquarters.
McGuireWoods LLP acted as lead legal advisor to Fluidra. Prestwick Partners acted as sell-side advisor to S.R. Smith, while Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP acted as their legal advisor.
Media Contacts:
Global
Sarah Estébanez, sestebanez @ tinkle.es, +34 636 62 80 41
Xana Pena, xpena @ tinkle.es, +34 674 73 47 82
Laura Gil, lgil @ tinkle.es, +34 673 631 814
North America Jacquie Edelman, jedelman @ fluidra.com, 760 390 1458
News
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Exclusive Invis-A-Rope™ from Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. is designed to blend seamlessly into the pool track for a nearly invisible finish that customers love. Its dark gray color is intentionally engineered to match the pool coping and be virtually invisible within the track, unlike more visible alternatives from other manufacturers. As a key component of the THREE·SIXTY·FIVE™ automatic pool cover system, Invis-A-Rope™ enhances overall pool aesthetics while maintaining functionality, delivering a discreet design that remains virtually unseen by swimmers and end users.
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About Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. (APC)
Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. (APC) is a leading U.S. manufacturer of automatic pool cover systems for gunite, vinyl, fiberglass, existing pools, and spas. Headquartered in Westfield, Indiana, APC partners with pool professionals nationwide to deliver high-quality auto-covers designed for safety, durability, and ease of use.
Manufacturer
Fluidra Acquires Datapool to Lead Digitalization and Efficiency in the Pool Sector
Fluidra, the global leader in pool and wellness equipment and connected solutions, has announced the acquisition of Datapool, the digital twin platform developed by Ecotropy. With this transaction, the company reinforces its strategic commitment to sustainability, operational efficiency and the digitalization of the sector.
The transaction represents the evolution of a collaboration that began in 2024, when Fluidra invested in Ecotropy through Fluidra Ventures, its Corporate Venture Capital fund focused on startups with the potential to transform the pool and wellness sector through technological innovation.
With this acquisition, Datapool becomes fully integrated into Fluidra’s digital ecosystem for commercial pools, consolidating its role as a key part of the company’s value proposition. The platform incorporates advanced analytics capabilities, IoT solutions and real-time data within an open and scalable architecture, in line with the company’s strategy to offer connected and sustainable solutions that maximize the efficiency of aquatic facilities and accelerate the transition towards smarter management models.
Datapool outfits aquatic facilities with digital twins, enabling pools to be managed using reliable, real-time data and replacing management models based on estimates or manual supervision.
In this way, the platform simulates the optimal operation of each facility and continuously compares it with variables such as energy consumption, occupancy, weather conditions and water quality, providing a comprehensive view that helps anticipate incidents, optimize resources and improve operational performance.
Thanks to this technology, operators can reduce operating costs by 10% to 25% by optimizing water and energy consumption without the need for construction works or invasive interventions; monitor and adjust key parameters such as temperature, water quality and occupancy in real time; automate management through predictive models that adapt climate control and operations to real demand; generate automatic reports with traceable data for audits, tenders or grant applications; and plan investments and improvements based on objective data.
“This acquisition marks a milestone in our digitalization strategy. Datapool allows us to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent pool management model, improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact and offering our customers data-driven tools to make better decisions,” said Thorsten Muck, Commercial Pool Director at Fluidra.
Press Releases
Pool Industry Accelerates Digital Transformation with POOLCORP and JobTread as Tech Stacks Become More Connected
Dallas, TX — The pool and outdoor living industry is accelerating its digital transformation as more builders adopt connected tech stacks to increase efficiency across every phase of a project. The newly launched JobTread and POOLCORP integration signals this shift toward smarter, fully integrated construction workflows.
JobTread, a construction management platform trusted by more than 10,000 companies, today announced its new integration with POOLCORP, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies and outdoor living products. This integration helps contractors connect estimating, purchasing, and project management in one streamlined workflow.
Launched in 2021, JobTread’s rapid growth reflects how quickly contractors are embracing project management software. In just a few years, the platform has seen a meteoric rise in adoption. That momentum signals a larger industry shift away from legacy solutions and toward integrated systems.
“Pool builders are becoming more strategic in how they use technology,” said Eric Fortenberry, Founder and CEO of JobTread. “They want systems that work together. Launching this new integration with POOLCORP helps contractors order materials quickly and seamlessly while delivering a better customer experience.”
The integration gives contractors direct access to POOLCORP’s full product catalog—including inventory, pricing, and ordering—while managing projects within JobTread. This includes access to National Pool Trends (NPT), POOLCORP’s leading building materials brand, trusted by builders and subcontractors for new pool construction and complete remodels. By connecting estimating directly to ordering across materials, finishes, and equipment, the integration helps streamline workflows, reduce errors, and accelerate project timelines.
For POOLCORP, the collaboration represents continued investment in digital innovation. As contractor expectations evolve, distributors and software providers are working more closely to support modern, connected workflows.
“Technology is reshaping how pool professionals operate,” said Todd Marshall, Vice President and Chief Information Officer of POOLCORP. “Partnering with platforms like JobTread is part of our broader commitment to building a more connected ecosystem for our customers. We will continue investing in integrations that help simplify workflows, accelerate project execution, and enable our customers to run their businesses faster and more efficiently.”
About JobTread
JobTread provides construction management software designed to help contractors streamline operations, improve financial visibility, and deliver exceptional project experiences. Launched in 2021 and trusted by more than 10,000 construction companies, JobTread combines estimating, scheduling, communication, job costing, and reporting in a single system, giving contractors real-time financial visibility across every project. Learn more at www.jobtread.com.
About POOLCORP
POOLCORP is the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related outdoor living products. Serving thousands of professionals across the industry, POOLCORP supports contractors with a broad product offering, including National Pool Trends (NPT), and a growing focus on digital innovation and connected customer experiences.
JobTread Contact:
Taylor Crosby
Director of Marketing
[email protected]
POOLCORP Contact:
Kendall Large
Vice President of Marketing
[email protected]
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