Australian Franchise News – 08-10-09
A NUMBER of prominent pool and spa aftermarket retailers have banded together to create a new industry body – the Swimming Pool Retail Association Australia (SPRAA).
SPRAA’s inaugural President, Mr Peter Barr, said the body was established to meet the specific needs of pool and spa retailers and field service technicians including the increasing demand for more relevant and appropriate training in the pool and spa aftermarket retail sector.
“With an executive board made up of founding members from Swimart, PoolWerx, Clark Rubber, BioGuard Poolside and leading independent pool stores SPRAA is an organisation formed for the industry by the industry,” he said.
“Our ultimate goal is to provide greater support, ancillary services and representation for those in the retail and service sectors of our industry.
“We want to ensure that this sector receives the support it craves and establishing SPRAA was the best option to achieve this.
“Specifically SPRAA will provide support to our sector of the industry in key areas such as training and education, maintaining and improving professional standards and liaising with government bodies for the benefit of members and consumers.”
Mr Barr said SPRAA would also provide a number of value-add services to its members.
“The benefits offered to SPRAA members will include having access to affordable government-approved training programs; specific industry representation; greater networking opportunities; a professional code-of-conduct for the retail and service sector; and a body that looks out for their needs and interests.
“We also plan to provide members with optional business related services further down the track.
“We envisage SPRAA members will also experience increased consumer confidence that comes from being a part of a national industry body tailored to provide support for retailers and service technicians specifically.”
For more information, including membership enquiries, contact Therese Nolan on 0414 324 535 or visit www.spraa.asn.au.