Fluidra acquires Taylor Water Technologies for $US78 million

Fluidra has acquired Taylor Water Technologies, a leading US-based manufacturer of water-testing solutions, as part of its strategic expansion into the US market.

Founded in 1930 and based out of Sparks, Maryland, Taylor is the recognised leader in water-testing kits and reagents in the residential and commercial pool segments.

With a catalogue of nearly 600 test-kit configurations, their products are carried by more than 400 distributors throughout the US, Canada and Mexico, and sold directly by Fluidra into other markets including Australia and New Zealand.

The addition of Taylor’s highly trusted water-testing kits, strips and instruments broadens Fluidra’s rapidly growing portfolio of pool and spa products and solutions for the residential and commercial sectors.

Taylor’s sales for the past 12 months have been reported as $US26 million, with an EBITDA of $US8.5 million.

Following the acquisition, Taylor will continue to operate independently as a business within Fluidra. Stephen Heard will continue to lead Taylor as its senior vice president and general manager and will report to Troy Franzen, president of Fluidra North America. The Taylor team and its base of operations will remain in Maryland.

“This is an important acquisition for Fluidra and will greatly enhance our offering,” says Bruce Brooks, chief executive officer of Fluidra.

“Taylor is the most trusted name in water testing within North America, and their expertise, coupled with Fluidra’s track record of delivering new equipment and IoT solutions, will pave the way for future innovations that make managing watercare easier for both pool professionals and pool owners.”

“It’s exciting to become a part of Fluidra,” says Stephen Heard, chief executive officer of Taylor.

“We each bring unique expertise as part of the large, multi-segment pool market and are focused on combining those building blocks to provide best-in-class solutions for our customers.”