Swimming pool business goes from 200 euros to millions of euros

The number of swimming pool businesses has risen over the last few years, with consumers' preferences becoming increasingly diversified, to include atypically shaped pools or fitting up the area around the pool.

Kasta Metal appeared on the market just after the revolution, at the initiative of its two founders Cristina Grigorescu and Nicolae Grigorescu. The company, which specialises in building and selling swimming pools, saunas, and spas, became a joint venture in 1998, with 10% of the shares held by two American investors, Jean-Elizabeth Dvorak and Norval Dvorak. Kasta Metal was started up with 200 dollars, with the whole profit being later reinvested.

At present, Kasta Metal's offer includes not only swimming pools, but other relaxation products, as well, such as spas, saunas, infrared cabins, and garden furniture.

The company posted a 1.5 million-euro turnover in 2009.

Reve entered Romanian market in the spring of 2007. The company specialises in designing and building private and public pools, installation of equipment and accessories and sells equipment, accessories and consumables. It also makes dry saunas, steam baths and spas and sells wellness products from equipment and accessories to consumables.

The Reve business started with two employees, and now there are six of them. The initial investment stood at 10,000 euros and turnover reached about 800,000 RON (some 200,000 euros) in 2009, with officials hoping sales would at least match those of last year in 2010.