Digitalization, Lean Manufacturing, and Innovation at Fluidra
The company Fluidra, a member of INDPULS, dedicated to the pool and wellness sector, hosted the other members of the association at a closing event for 2024. Founded more than 50 years ago, Fluidra is a leading company with extensive experience in developing innovative services and products for the residential and commercial pool market, operating globally in over 47 countries around the world.
Lean Manufacturing Methodology at Inquide
The first part of the visit took place at the facilities of Inquide, a company within the Fluidra Group specialized in water treatment, where we learned about the latest digitalization initiatives and the application of advanced production methodologies based on Lean Manufacturing, implemented since 2007.
Marc Albájar, Inquide General Manager and Lean & Industry 4.0 Director, guided us through the tour of the Polinyà pool pump manufacturing plant. Albájar highlighted one of the key transformations in Inquide’s production processes: shifting from a push system to a pull system. This approach is based on manufacturing according to the real needs of customers, thereby increasing productivity by 30% and improving both efficiency and responsiveness to market demands. The Lean Manufacturing model, which emphasizes team specialization, product manufacturing, adherence to production standards, and employee empowerment, plays a fundamental role in Inquide’s continuous improvement and challenge management.
Fluidra’s Research, Development, and Innovation Center
The second part of the visit took place at Fluidra Lab, Fluidra’s Research, Development (R&D), and Innovation Center, led by Nicolas Bouchain, R&D Director EMEA. There, we explored the company’s progress in sustainability, energy efficiency, and digital transformation, focusing on challenges such as energy savings, improved efficiency in water usage and treatment, and digitalization.
Open Innovation and Fluidra Ventures
Open innovation has become a cornerstone of Fluidra’s strategy. Since the launch of Fluidra Acelera in 2014, the company has driven initiatives such as Fluidra Lab in 2018 and Fluidra Ventures in 2023, which have been key in accelerating the development of new products and technological solutions. Pere Camprovín, Head of Open Innovation, presented the division’s journey and objectives, including plans to invest 20 million euros in innovative startups in the sector over the next three years. This commitment to entrepreneurship aims to foster the development of new solutions that can transform the water treatment and pool maintenance industry while maximizing production efficiency and sustainability.
Additionally, through the Innovation Booster program, Fluidra has promoted a culture of intrapreneurship, involving employees at all levels of the organization in developing solutions to address the company’s key challenges.
The company’s commitment to innovation has been recognized, with Fluidra winning the Corporate Startup Rising Star 2024 award, a reflection of its leadership in open innovation and collaboration with startups.
Innovation and Digitalization as Keys to Fluidra’s Success
The visit to Fluidra’s facilities was a clear demonstration of how the company has integrated innovation and digitalization, transforming both its production processes and its business approach. Through the implementation of Lean Manufacturing, the use of advanced technologies, and a strong focus on sustainability, Fluidra positions itself as a benchmark in the pool and wellness sector, emphasizing continuous improvement, efficiency, and open innovation.
It is a privilege to have Fluidra as a member of INDPULS. With its eyes set on the future, Fluidra continues to take confident steps toward a more global and digitalized business model while remaining a shining example of how open innovation can drive growth and industrial transformation in an increasingly competitive world.
