Fluidra sets an example to businesses that wish to invest in France
May 5, 2010Over 180 Catalan companies have subsidiaries in our neighbouring country,
according to a report issued by the French Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona.
One of these companies is Fluidra, which shared its experiences on the French
market with those attending the round table debate held on 23 April at the
Chamber of Commerce.
The General Manager of Fluidra for Southeast Europe, Amadeo Serra,
highlighted that France is the second largest market in the world for the
multinational’s pool business, second only to the United States, in addition to its
great potential for the development of the rest of its business units.
In the framework of the round table debate “The Business Climate in France”, held
on 23 April in the French Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona, the General Manager
of Fluidra for Southeast Europe, Amadeo Serra, explained the main benefits and
challenges of setting up business in the neighbouring country. Fluidra has two
production centres in France and three commercial companies specialised in the
multinational’s four business units: pools, water treatment, water handling and
irrigation.
Fluidra is one of 188 Catalan businesses that has a subsidiary in France, according
to a report issued by the French Chamber of Commerce. During the round table
debate, the director of the organisation, Philippe Saman, and the assistant director of
the French Agency for International Investments (AFII) for the Iberian Peninsula,
Jorge Martín, appealed to the business network in Catalonia to promote the setting
up of more businesses in France.
To this regard, Amadeo Serra gave a breakdown in his intervention of the pros and
cons of being present in the neighbouring market. The high economic potential of
France and its highly developed commercial network make it possible for companies
present in the country to better overcome difficulties in the current economic crisis.
In the opinion of the general manager of Fluidra for Southeast Europe, one of the key
factors for successfully setting up business in France is to team up with a local
partner who is already familiar with the market. The tight controls of French law is
among the challenges to overcome. Companies will be forced to innovate in order to adapt to new regulations, which Amadeo Serra also believes will give rise to new
opportunities.