Italy - UK Partnership

PARTNERSHIP | Summer 2019 10 Starpool, Italian excellence in spa and wellness centres An interview with the ICCIUK’s member S tarpool is an Italian company specialised in the design, creation, services and products for wellness centres and spas. Since March 2017, they have been members of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK. The company was founded in 1975 by Ardelio Turri in Val di Fiemme, located in the green heart of the Dolomites (North-Eastern Italy). The current CEO is Riccardo Turri, his son. Starpool was created with the aim of giving shape not only to well-being products, but also to a true all-round culture of wellness combining technology, innovation and design. The company’s core business is the professional sector, including hospitality, contract and nautical fields, together with residential, they have built over 1,500 spas around the world and have equipped 3,000 homes from their home collection. The main target markets are Europe, the Middle and Far East. Starpool has a direct presence in over 20 countries around the world, with 3 branches, 17 distributors and 15 showrooms. Fundamental to the Starpool’s DNA are paths and treatments realised through three main elements: heat, water and rest. “This formula, with its ancient origins, is the true essence of every Starpool spa. We express our passion for the culture of well-being through the design and constant search for quality of our products and services”, explains Riccardo Turri. In 2016, Starpool launched Zerobody & Nu Relax, the first multiplatform project to fuse well-being and neuroscience thanks to the combined effects of an innovative dry floating bed and an App with scientifically tested meditation paths. As the leading company in the sector, Starpool applied innovation in colour to sauna and steam bath claddings at the 2018 Salone del Mobile in Milan, making ambience fully customisable. We interviewed Claudio Corradini, Export Job Site Manager. ICC: What are the characteristics of the UK spa market and the differences with Italy? CC: The UK market is very mature with several players: general contractors, Spa consultants, Spa equipment suppliers, pool companies, etc. The main difference is that, in Italy, we normally start working “side by side” with architects and interior designers from the very beginning and we are involved mainly with a consultancy approach. On the other hand, the approach is based on tenders in the UK. ICC: Starpool is present both in the professional and home market, which are the best seller products in the UK in both categories? CC: In the professional market, our best product is the “Classic collection”, which presents a bespoke product. As the market in UK is quite mature, several interior designers/Spa Hotel Christof in Appiano, Italy