With challenges posed by the current economic
climate, the so-called Big Three manufacturers reported modest growth for their first quarters, while PoolCorp saw a slight decrease. Those serving more than one industry generally saw better performance from their pool operations than from others. Most expect this year to outperform last.
Fluidra
The Barcelona-based manufacturer and distributor reported a 7% increase in sales at €564 million, compared with €527 million in the first quarter of 2024. The firm further said it saw growth across all regions for the quarter.
North America showed the largest increase, at 7.3%, compared with approximately 3% in other regions.
For all of 2025, the company expects sales between €2.14 billion and €2.25 billion, compared with €2.1 billion last year.
Hayward
Across the globe, the Charlotte, N.C.-based manufacturer reported a net sales increase of 8% compared with Q1 of 2024, to $228.8 million. “I am pleased to report solid first quarter results ahead of expectations,” said Hayward President/CEO Kevin Holleran.
In North America, Hayward’s net sales increased 8% in the first quarter, to $187.1 million. The company credited the timing of orders in the 2025 season, along with the integration of ChlorKing, which Hayward acquired in June, 2024.
Looking ahead, the company expects to close Fiscal 2025 with net sales between approximately $1.060 billion to $1.1 billion, compared to 2024’s $1.0516 billion, citing “the current tariff environment.”
Pentair
Sales for this manufacturer’s pool business fared better than for the company as a whole.
The London-based firm said first-quarter sales for the entire company dipped 1%, at $1.01 billion, compared with $1.017 billion in 2024 Q1.
However, sales for its pool operation, headquartered in Cary, N.C., increased 7% over the same period last year, the company said, from $359.5 million in 2024’s Q1 to $383.9 million last quarter. After accounting for currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales grew 4%, the company further reported.
For the year, the Pentair expects sales for the whole company to range from flat to 2% ahead of 2024.
PoolCorp
The Covington, La.-based distributor reported a 4% decrease in net sales, at $1.07 billion, compared to Q1 sales in 2024 of $1.12 billion.
Further, PoolCorp cited weather in January and February as a factor: “We saw an improvement in overall sales in March…” it said.
It continues to list service as a bright spot. “Maintenance-related product sales supported overall sales,” it said.
For 2025, the company expects earnings between $11.10 to $11.60 per diluted share, compared with $11.30 per diluted share in 2024.
