Fluidra acquires PCB manufacturer Fabtronics

Fluidra Group Australia, the local arm of the Spanish listed multinational Fluidra SA, has acquired Fabtronics Australia Pty Ltd, an Australian based designer and manufacturer of electronic appliances and circuit boards which has Fluidra and previously AstralPool as its major customer.

Fabtronics has played an integral role in just about every significant product which has embedded electronics that Fluidra Australia has launched under the AstralPool brand in the past 16 years including the Viron and EQ chlorinators, the Viron XT pumps, the Connect10 automation system and the FLX and SLX pool lights.

Many of these products designed and manufactured in Australia have gone on to be sold throughout the world via Fluidra’s global network. This investment in product development and innovation undoubtedly played a key role in AstralPool’s growth trajectory in Australia over the past decade.

Fabtronics was established in 2003 by Rod Briggs and Frank Harris to provide complete, efficient and cost effective electronics manufacturing solutions, and local R&D support to Australian businesses.

Fluidra Australia's first Fabtronics project – the AstralPool VX chlorinator – quickly led to a steady stream of new product development work for Fabtronics helping AstralPool and then Fluidra which continues to this day.

Having established themselves as one of the leading electronics designers in Australia, Fabtronics expanded beyond the pool industry, into areas as diverse as HVAC, aftermarket automotive and medical.

Fluidra Australia MD, Stephen Matysiak, says Fluidra is committed to continuing to invest in product development and innovation, and the acquisition of Fabtronics will enable the business to fully integrate its R&D resources with the rest of its operations.

"The acquisition further reinforces our commitment to the APAC and South African pool market and will enable the business to accelerate innovation to meet local market needs," he says.

Bruce Brooks, Fluidra CEO, says he is excited to have Briggs and Harris and their team join the Fluidra family.

“They have a wealth of experience in electronics design and product automation, which are instrumental to our product development plans globally,” he says.

Fabtronics are based in Braeside, 10 minutes from Fluidra’s manufacturing facility in Keysborough, Victoria. The Fabtronics operation includes a team of eight in-house design engineers, as well as a state-of-the-art 3000sqm circuit board manufacturing plant.

Fabtronics will continue to operate from its current location, with Briggs and Harris continuing to lead the team.

The Fabtronics founders and team are looking forward to integrating into the Fluidra Group Australia operation.

“We have been working with Fluidra Australia for many years now. This step is the natural evolution for us and we now look forward to contributing to Fluidra’s R&D efforts beyond our immediate region,” says Rod Briggs co-founder of Fabtronics.