WORLD NEWS
SWIMTAG Strengthens Foothold In Norway SWIMTAG has completed its 13th installation in Norway through its Nordic distribution partner, SWIMTAG Nordic AS. The most recent install at the Gamlingen Pool in Stravenger on the West Coast of Norway is already attracting a significant number of users every month and helping the operator to deliver an enhanced user experience. Speaking about SWIMTAG, Rasmus Gjesdal, General Manager at Stavanger Svømmestadion, Gamlingen, said: “We introduced SWIMTAG as a new offer in August 2017. After three months of use, we already have 450 users, of which, several participate in our local challenge and competitions. The system is easy to use (we offer SWIMTAG as self-service) and feedback from our users is exclusively positive.” The first install in Norway
took place in 2014 and since then there has been a steady increase in interest from various operators. Eirik Aksnes, SWIMTAG’s Nordic distribution partner, said: “In Norway, swimming is largely viewed more as a holistic pastime than a serious fitness solution but this is starting to change with more operators beginning to see the value regular pool based activity can have on a community’s health and wellbeing.” Most operators in Norway offer SWIMTAG free of charge to pool users, viewing it as an opportunity to add value rather than drive revenue. Eirik, added: “SWIMTAG is now installed in more than 200 pools worldwide and there is overwhelming evidence to prove that the system is most successful when this approach is taken. Some operators still insist on passing on the charge to the swimmer but this always results in lower engagement. The financial value in SWIMTAG results from the increase in swimmer retention and the positive influence this has on income rather than the increase in revenue generated from a point of sale approach.”
Aqualine Win Ireland Active Supplier Of The Year Award Towards the end of last year, Certikin’s Dublin-based customer Aqualine, won the Ireland Active Supplier of the year award 2017, based on customer votes from leisure centres throughout the republic. Ireland Active is the national association for health and fitness centres in the country and its conference is a focal point for networking, discussion and debate amongst the leisure and fitness community. Aqualine is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of leisure products servicing all 32 counties and has over 30 years’ experience in the business. Aqualine’s Sarah Fingleton said: “We have built up a great working relationship with our customers and suppliers and in particular Certikin. The Certikin team are
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readily available whether it be for pricing, information, support or technical advice. We particularly like the Dolphin pool cleaner, HDPE products, pool maintenance equipment, chemicals, sauna and steam accessories.” Aqualine +353 1 462 7532 www.aqualine.ie
Aqualine’s Evelyn Fitzpatrick (left) and Sarah Fingleton (right) with Barry Walsh, President of Ireland Active
(Left to right) Jérôme Abbé, Marketing & Development Director of FIJA Group with Tony Fisher, Jo Ainsworth and Eric Andrieu, Purchasing Director, FIJA Group
FIJA Group Secures Waterco Distribution Deal For France And Beyond Waterco have announced that FIJA Group have been appointed as exclusive distributors in France for their Micron and Lacron residential filter ranges, as well as the Fulflo Tri-Cartridge filter for the swimming pool market. In addition, FIJA will distribute Waterco products throughout Europe via their extensive distribution network. Tony Fisher, Waterco CEO North America & Europe, and Jo Ainsworth, Export Director South Europe & Middle East participated in a product training session at FIJA Group’s ‘Technical Days’ in December, where the Waterco filters were very enthusiastically received by the sales and technical teams. “This is a very positive move for both Waterco and FIJA,” commented Jo Ainsworth. “FIJA are a very well respected distributor throughout France. Like FIJA, Waterco are always innovating, investing in new technology, and developing market leading new products. The combination of FIJA’s innovative entrepreneurial spirit and Waterco’s high quality manufacturing expertise is certainly a winning formula. We look forward to developing this relationship in the coming years.”
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 19/01/2018 23:39