“We Establish Long-Term Partnerships with Companies with the Same DNA by Focusing on Quality, Sustainability and Reliability”

“We Establish Long-Term Partnerships with Companies with the Same DNA by Focusing on Quality, Sustainability and Reliability”

Technics & Applications (T&A), one of the leading manufacturers of swimming pool enclosure systems, focuses on quality, sustainability and safety in its products. T&A also aims to produce quality products installed by pool professionals, increase the comfort and safety level of the pool and minimize the environmental footprint. T&A aims to increase its market share thanks to its sales policies, focus on innovation and wide product range, said General Manager Joeri Dils, “We are looking for long-term professional partners in Turkey who share our values.”

This is our first interview with Technics & Applications (T&A). Could you briefly introduce yourself, tell us about the founding story of T&A, its product range, and your vision and mission for the company?

T&A was founded in 1995. Next year we will celebrate our 30th anniversary. We are a leading manufacturer of swimming pool covers. Since 2022, Walter Pool is part of our group. Today we have a complete range of pool covers going from winter covers (WaluSeasons), bar safety covers (WaluCover) , movable pool decks (WaluDeck), rigid PVC & PC covers (AquaTop), automatic safety covers (AquaGuard) and movable pool floors (AquaMove).

Our goal is making quality products, installed by pool professionals, enhancing the comfort & safety level of a pool and lowering its environmental footprint.

“Pool covers not only save energy and water, but also help increase the level of safety.”

T&A is one of the leading manufacturers of automatic pool covers in Europe. In this regard, what steps do you take to produce high-quality products, enhance the comfort of pools, and reduce environmental footprint? Can you tell us about your quality policies and sustainability efforts?

In order to limit the use of energy and water, a pool cover is essential. Up to 80% of a pool’s water and energy consumption can be saved by using an efficient pool cover. On top of this it helps to increase the safety level of the pool when it’s not used.

As the cover is a vital part of the pool, we focus on quality, reliability and service. We use high quality raw materials such as stainless steel, aluminium and UV resistant plastics. All electrical parts are developed and tested in house.

In addition to pool covers, T&A also offers movable floor solutions. What are the advantages of movable floor solutions in terms of ease of use, insulation, energy costs, and aesthetics?

Movable pool floors are high end pool covers offering several advantages. For our AquaMove, we use a 10cm layer of PET insulation minimizing the use of energy and water. İt is one of the most insulated pool covers on the market. The pool floor can be stopped at any depth, even offering a shallow water zone for children. When the floor is in its highest position it integrates perfectly in the deck offering extra useful space in your garden our house.

“We developed the Energy Simulator to show how effective our pool covers are.”

We would like to talk about the Energy Simulator you offer to users. What is the Energy Simulator, and what measurements can users easily make using it? Could you explain the practical uses and advantages of the Energy Simulator?

We developed the Energy Simulator to show our customers how effective our pool covers are. Based on specific boundary conditions (such as pool size, pool heating, filtration system, type of cover, geographical location, …) we make a detailed calculation of the energy and water consumption of the pool and the TCO (total cost of ownership) related to it. Our configurator is based on a reliable algorithm and data from field testing.

“Innovation is in our DNA”

One of the most important elements in pool coverings is technology and connectivity systems. What is your approach to technology and innovation? What new technologies or solutions are you offering to your partners and users?

Innovation is in our DNA. We focus on the comfort level for the end user and the ease of installation for our dealers-installers. We have an intelligent control box with programmable outputs and inputs, making it possible to connect it to intelligent pool control and home automation systems.

How do you approach the maintenance and service processes for your products? Could you tell us about the after-sales support services you provide to your customers?

Our after-sales strategy starts with the development of our products. We make sure parts are maintenance-friendly and easy to change in case service is needed. We focus on product compatibility making life easier for our dealers.

Our after sales department consists of technical engineers speaking 4 languages helping our installers on site.

“We are looking for long-term professional partners in Turkey who share our values”

How do you see the global dynamics of the pool and sauna industry? What is your interest in emerging markets such as Turkey? How would you evaluate the Turkish pool sector? What role does Turkey play in markets outside of Europe?

Turkey is a beautiful country with great potential in the pool and wellness sector. Thanks to tourism, the hotel and public pool industry is well established and also the private market is growing. We look for long term professional partners sharing our values.

When planning to expand into different regions, how do you typically shape your market entry strategy? What are the key factors for success in new markets?

We focus on long term partnerships with professional partners. We organize sales & product trainings in our factory in Belgium & France and give on-site support for the first installations. Training is essential at the start of a cooperation.

With our wide product range, we offer solutions suitable for the end user’s budget for all kinds of pools and SPA in the private and public sectors.

In the future, which new markets do you plan to enter? Specifically, what are your goals for emerging markets? How does T&A approach collaborations and local partnerships? What are the key factors in your strategy for establishing partnerships in new markets? Are there any planned collaborations or partnerships with Turkey?

We will keep on focussing on the European market as we are based there but we look for partnerships in other markets with big potential. The Middle East, North and South America are regions we would like to enter in the near future.

Not being really present on the Turkish market today, we look for partners interested in distributing and installing our pool covers. As we have a wide product range of covers, we have solutions for all types of pools and (swim)spas, both in the private and public sectors and adapted to the end user’s budget.

We focus on long-term partnerships with companies having the same DNA, focussing on quality, sustainability and reliability.

“Main trends in 2024; sustainability, digitalization and minimal pools”

What are the main trends you have observed in the pool and sauna industry in recent years? Which trends have emerged in 2024? What are your predictions for trend products, designs, and technologies in 2025?

There are several trends in the European pool and sauna industry. Because of the recent energy crisis end-users, installers and manufacturers focus more on sustainability and environment. Pool covers are essential to limit water and energy consumption. A second trend is the digitalization of pools. Connected pools (or intelligent pools) offer lots of advantages such as more comfort, better monitoring and optimized (preventive) maintenance. Last but not least, we see more smaller pools (especially on the private market) as land becomes scarcer and more expensive. These pools with often ≤30m³ of water use less space, less energy but are often fully equipped with a pool cover, LED, Jetstream, heat pump and an intelligent control system. Less is more!

“We are increasing our market share thanks to our sales efforts, focus on innovation and wide product range.”

As we approach the end of 2024, how has this year been for T&A and the Belgian pool sector? Can you share your evaluation of 2024 along with your expectations and goals for 2025? What projects do you plan to implement in 2025?

For T&A it was a stable year with growth in terms of high-end products and a rather difficult situation for cheaper products. The European economic situation is still volatile and the weather didn’t help us either. We do expect a slight recovery in 2025 but growth in terms of double digit figures is not expected before 2026.

Thanks to our sales efforts, the focus on innovation and the large range of products we do, increase our market share.

Lastly, is there anything else you would like to add?

I want to thank you for the interview and wish all Turkish and other companies active in the pool industry a successful 2025!