“Our Aim is to Make the Market Sustainable By Bringing Together the Professionals of the Pool and SPA Sector”
FPP (Fédération des Professionnels de la Piscine), which is one of the leading federations shaping the pool industry in France and was established to bring together the professionals in the fields of swimming pools and SPA in France, presents the swimming pool industry, its products and companies; to professionals, individuals as well as public authorities. FPP General Manager Joëlle Pulinx, in our interview where she evaluated the French pool sector, explained to Havuz&Sauna magazine the activities they carry out as a Federation and the position of Turkey in the global pool sector.
Could you tell us about the establishment of FPP (Federation of Pool and SPA Professionals) and its contributions to the French pool industry?
FPP was founded in 2005; but since 1965 it has followed CSIP (Pool Professionals Union Coordination) for the swimming pool industry.
We had 450 members in 2003 and today we have 1438 members: 164 B2B (Manufacturers, professional distributors, network managers) and 1274 B2C (Builders, swimming pools and SPA installers, customer distributors…)
Our aim: To bring together the professionals of the pool and SPA sector to develop the market in a sustainable way (economic, social and environmental). To achieve this goal, we act and speak with all stakeholders: media, end customers, associations, government, parliament…
For our end customers, we have a website with an active list of our members and general information. Security, sustainable development, pool covers, market studies, automation, etc. We have 15 technical commissions on issues. We have created a certification and qualification solution with SOCOTEC Certification. We have 10 years of insurance with AXA Sigorta and this is a legal requirement for pool builders in France. In addition, we have a lawyer and an interior architect in our team who will answer the questions of our members.
FPP is structured like a company with strategic action plans, reporting tables, annual budget.
We have 4 strategic axes: to support, professionalize, defend and serve professionals.
“France has big manufacturers and swimming pool companies that offer good products and solutions in the pool industry”
France is the European leader in the swimming pool industry; It is the second market in the world after the United States. What is the biggest factor in the development of the swimming pool industry in your country? How do you evaluate this development?
In France, in the pool sector, we have large manufacturers and swimming pool companies that offer good products and solutions. As FPP, we participate in the standardization process.
We provide assurance to end customers with professional references and 10 years of insurance.
TV, radio, magazine, internet etc. for 20 years. We strengthen our relations with the press by taking part in the media. We strive to include clear images (the appearance of the pool, the engines used, etc.) in the minds of the consumer, and we continue to work on the explanations we will make in this area.
Every 3 years, we conduct market studies with final consumers, and again every 3 years, we evaluate the economic sector with professionals. At the same time, we evaluate the trend of the swimming pool sector every 3 months. All these researches are carried out by specialist companies other than FPP.
“Participation, qualification and certificate”
FPP brings together professionals in the fields of swimming pools and SPA in France, while supporting market development. Swimming pool industry, products and companies; to professionals, individuals as well as public authorities. What innovative approaches do you develop in this context?
We have developed our website for our end consumers. We use social media. We have a 3-stage program and motto: Participation, qualification and certification. We have been creating motion video designs recently to explain this slogan to pool and SPA professionals. On the other hand, we have been developing a foundation to support the development of children’s swimming skills for 4 years. In this regard, we are signing a strong partnership with the Ministry of Sports.
FPP also provides vocational training courses and employment in the swimming pool industry. Do you have any new projects in this field? CAP FORMATION, a special training center in the swimming pool industry, supported by FPP, starts operating in September. Can you give detailed information about this subject?
In France, we have a certificate program that we run jointly with the Ministry of National Education. We organize qualification exams for Professional Swimming Pool Technician. In September, 11 schools will support this program.
At La Roche sur Yon we open 4 classes each year for the professional qualification exam and we have a superior swimming pool trade institute that trains almost 650 trainees.
FPP creates a visionary internal formation system by making new arrangements in accordance with standards for the professionalization of content.
We also produce solutions to have formation modules recognized by the Ministry of Labor. (AFPA etc.)
“As FPP, we strongly support Piscine Global Europe 2022”
What are your predictions for Piscine Global Europe 2022? What preparatory work are you doing in this context?
Piscine Global is the largest organization in the world and we strongly support this organization as FPP. We have a strong partnership with GL Events for many years.
As FPP, we are preparing for this event in order to come together with the members, to provide information to non-members to gain membership, to hold a meeting with WAPSA and to hold a press conference. We will also organize some conferences on different topics. Piscine Global Europe 2022 holds an important place for us.
What are your thoughts on the Turkish pool industry? How would you position Turkey in terms of the pool sector in the global arena?
As the General Manager of the Federation, I am not an actor in the market and unfortunately I do not have enough resources regarding the Turkish market. At FPP, we haven’t done any research on markets outside of France and I don’t have enough information about the Turkish pool industry. Some information was given by your association at the EUSA meeting. I cannot give a clear answer about Turkey’s place in the pool sector in the global arena.
Have you had pool, SPA or sauna experience in Turkey? Or can we talk about such a plan?
No, I have never had such an experience in Turkey before.
What do you want to say as last words?
We must take care of our market not only at the French level, but also at the European level. FPP has a forward-looking expectation; because a federation has to light the way for professionals. During the market development period, we must be aware that some “opportunists” may enter the market and give a bad image about our products and services. That’s why promoting professional solutions, products and services is very important to FPP. We must increase customer satisfaction and explain our professional solutions. We must strive to protect the planet and be sensitive to the environment. This is among the biggest responsibilities of our market.
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