What Pool Partner Handels Gsmbh does

Pool Partner Handels GmbH (operating as 'Pool Partner', legal entity Artner Handels GmbH) is an Austrian family-owned pool specialist founded on September 23, 1997, by Erich Artner in Knittelfeld and now headquartered in Judenburg. The company sells a full-stack range of residential swimming pools (steel wall, styrofoam, polyester/GFK, stainless steel, overflow, and modular Konzeptpools including DIY self-build kits), pool covers, pool technology (its own Green Heat Full Inverter heat pump line with COP up to 16.5, frequency-controlled filter pumps, sand filters, dosing/salt systems, counter-current systems), pool care consumables, and accessories (ladders, lighting, solar blankets, reels). It manufactures custom pool covers in-house at a production facility in St. Stefan ob Leoben that has been operating since 2003 and was expanded in 2018, marketed under a 'Made in Austria / 100% Austrian value creation' positioning.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining a full e-commerce shop at pool-partner.com, eight physical retail/showroom branches across Austria, field-sales representatives (Gebietsvertreter) for larger projects, and a dealer/reseller network in Germany, Switzerland, and Slovenia. Revenue is generated from one-time hardware sales (pool units priced from approximately €990 for entry-level Stahlwandpool sets to €4,990 for premium Green Heat heat pumps, with custom pool covers quote-based), professional installation and renovation services performed by in-house Montage- und Serviceteams, and recurring consumables (pool care chemicals, cleaning robots, replacement liners). The primary customer base is private residential pool owners and DIY self-build homeowners in Austria and adjacent DACH-region markets, with the company claiming 40,000 to 50,000 satisfied customers and approximately 80 average employees.

The company is privately held by the Artner founding family, with no disclosed external funding, parent company, or institutional shareholders. Following the 2008 economic crisis it executed a strategic pivot from B2B to end-customer focus and has since invested in branch infrastructure (Traiskirchen relocation 2016, new Salzburg Bergheim showroom 2021) and own-manufacturing capability expansion to differentiate against generic online pool retailers.

Name

Pool Partner Handels Gsmbh

Legal name

Artner Handels GmbH

Website

https://pool-partner.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Swimming Pool Equipment & Supplies

NAICS

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459)

akta.pro primary industry

Pools, Spas & Hot Tubs Retail (Chemicals, Accessories) (CRAIAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pool Draining, Refill & Water Exchange Services (HSAIALAK), Water Testing & Chemical Balancing (HSAIALAB), Equipment Installation & Upgrades (Automation, Covers, Sanitizers) (HSAIALAJ)

Keywords

• Swimming pool equipment
• Pool covers
• Pool heat pumps
• Pool installation
• Pool care products

Headquarters

HQ city

Judenburg

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Pool Sales: Sale of various pool types including Stahlwandpools (Betonia, Maho, Greywood, Swing), Styroporpools (Klassik, Komfort Plus, Premium), Polyesterpools (PP GFK, Premium), Überlaufpools (Variant), Edelstahlpools, Fit & Fun Pools, and Konzeptpools. Includes both customer self-installation (DIY) and professional installation options.
2. Pool Cover Sales: Custom-made pool covers (Poolüberdachungen) manufactured in-house. Product lines include flat covers (Avantgarde, Echtglas, Ecoflat, Edition, Panorama, Superflat, Ultraflat) and high covers (Emotion, Klassik, Mutation, Revolution, Revolution Pro), plus special solutions with solar power.
3. Pool Technology Products: Sale of pool equipment including heat pumps (Green Heat series), filter systems, dosing systems, salt systems, complete solutions, counter-current systems, built-in components, and piping materials. Products like heat pumps range from €1,190 to €4,990.
4. Pool Care Products: Sale of pool care products including pool robots, cleaning agents, chlorine and non-chlorine water care, water test devices, pH products, and additional care products.
5. Pool Accessories: Sale of accessories including pool ladders, pool lighting, pool foils, entry stairs, solar showers, pool surrounds, pool toys, and pool covers including solar blankets ranging from €99.90 to €499.
6. Professional Installation Services: Professional assembly and installation of pools and pool technology by experienced installation and service teams, plus pool renovation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pool Partner is Austria's leading pool specialist retailer selling a comprehensive range of swimming pools (steel wall, styrofoam, polyester, stainless steel, overflow, and concept pools), custom-manufactured pool covers (made in-house since 2003), pool technology (heat pumps, filter systems, dosing systems), pool care products (cleaning robots, chemicals), and accessories, complemented by professional installation, renovation, and DIY self-build services through 11 retail showroom locations, an online shop, and a dealer network across Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Slovenia.

Product overview

Pool Partner Handels GmbH is Austria's leading pool specialist offering comprehensive pool solutions since 1997. The product portfolio centers around multiple pool types (steel wall, styrofoam, polyester, stainless steel, overflow, and concept pools), complemented by an extensive range of pool covers (flat and high models, solar-powered, custom solutions) manufactured in-house in St. Stefan, Austria. The company provides complete pool technology equipment including heat pumps (Green Heat series), filter systems, dosing/salt systems, counter-current systems, and accessories. Professional services encompass pool construction, renovation, and DIY self-build options. The online shop offers a complete range of pool care products, cleaning robots, and maintenance chemicals. The company operates across Austria with multiple retail locations and serves customers in Germany, Switzerland, and Slovenia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stahlwandpools (Steel Wall Pools) Steel wall above-ground and semi-inground pools available in Betonia, Maho, Greywood, and Swing variants for residential customers seeking durable pool installations.
• Styroporpools (Styrofoam Pools) Styrofoam block pools for inground installation, available in Klassik, Komfort Plus, and Premium variants with associated construction service offerings.
• Polyesterpools (Polyester Pools) One-piece polyester/GFK pools including PP GFK and Premium models for quick residential installation.
• Überlaufpools (Overflow Pools) Overflow/infinity pools including the Variant model and stainless steel variants for premium residential installations with continuous water level.
• Edelstahlpools (Stainless Steel Pools) High-quality stainless steel pools for premium residential customers emphasizing durability, aesthetics, and longevity.
• Fit & Fun Pools Swimming pools designed for fitness and recreational use with integrated counter-current systems enabling swimming in place.
• Konzeptpools (Concept Pools) Customizable modular pool concept including Konzeptpool PP (professionally installed) and Konzeptpool DIY (self-build) variants for flexible residential pool construction.
• Flache Poolüberdachungen (Flat Pool Covers) Low-profile flat pool covers including Avantgarde, Echtglas, Ecoflat, Edition, Panorama, Superflat, and Ultraflat models, custom-manufactured in-house at St. Stefan, Austria.
• Hohe Poolüberdachungen (High Pool Covers) Tall pool enclosures including Emotion, Klassik, Mutation, Revolution, and Revolution Pro models for walkable covered pool spaces, manufactured in-house.
• Poolüberdachung mit Solarantrieb (Solar-Powered Pool Cover) Solar-powered pool covers integrating photovoltaic drive for energy-efficient pool cover operation and pool heating.
• Sonderlösungen Poolüberdachung (Custom Pool Cover Solutions) Custom-designed pool covers engineered to specific customer requirements for non-standard pool sizes, shapes, or site conditions.
• Poolabdeckung Terrazza Terrazza pool cover for residential pool protection and aesthetic enhancement.
• Green Heat Wärmepumpen (Pool Heat Pumps) Full Inverter pool heat pumps (Green Heat Klassik, Stainless, and Premium lines) with COP values up to 16.5, turboFAN quiet operation (~38.5 dB(A)), WiFi/App control via Invergo app, operating temperatures down to -7°C, and 3-year on-site warranty.
• Filteranlagen (Sand Filter Systems) Sand filter systems including Aquaclean 9000/11000 and PP 500 models with filtration capacities from 9 to 10 m³/h for residential pool water filtration.
• Filterpumpen (Filter Pumps) Filter pumps including Aqua 9000/11000, Sena saltwater-resistant, Victoria Plus Silent, and Vitalia Premium 10/17 (Speck) models with flow rates from 9 to 17 m³/h, with frequency-controlled variants saving approximately 50% energy.
• Dosieranlagen und Salzanlagen (Dosing and Salt Systems) Automated dosing systems for chemical distribution and salt chlorination systems for residential pool water treatment.
• Gegenstromanlagen (Counter-Current Systems) Counter-current systems for Fit & Fun pools enabling swimming in place with adjustable water flow for fitness and training use.
• Poolroboter (Pool Cleaning Robots) Automated pool cleaning robots for autonomous cleaning of pool floors, walls, and waterlines for residential pool owners.
• Reinigungsmittel und Wasserpflege (Pool Care Chemicals) Pool care products including chlorine-based and chlorine-free water treatment, pH regulators, algaecides, water test devices, and maintenance chemicals for residential pool water care.
• Poolzubehör (Pool Accessories) Complete pool accessory range including pool ladders, lighting, replacement liners, entry stairs, solar showers, pool surrounds, pool toys, and covers for residential pool owners.
• Solarplanen (Solar Blankets) Solar blankets for pool heating and protection, available in round (3.6m to 6.0m), oval (8.10x4.60m), and rectangular (10.00x5.00m) sizes; increases water temperature by 2-3°C and prevents evaporation.
• Poolbau (Pool Construction Service) Professional pool construction service from planning through completion, performed by in-house installation and service teams for residential customers.
• Poolsanierung (Pool Renovation Service) Pool renovation services including liner replacement, equipment renewal, and complete refurbishment for existing residential pool owners.
• DIY Selbstbau (Self-Build Service) Do-it-yourself self-build service offering Konzeptpool DIY kits and expert guidance for homeowners who prefer to install their own pool.

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Future Pool GmbH: German manufacturer of prefabricated pools (steel wall and polypropylene), sold through European dealer networks. Directly comparable as a DACH-region pool manufacturer with overlapping product types (Stahlwandpool, PP pool) and similar dealer-distribution model.
• Steinbach Group: Austrian/German pool products retailer and brand offering pools, technology, care products, and accessories. Directly competes with Pool Partner in the DACH pool retail market with overlapping product categories and similar target customer (private pool owners).
• Desjoyaux: French pool manufacturer and direct retailer of in-ground pools with proprietary pool construction technology. Comparable as a European integrated pool specialist combining manufacturing, retail, and installation — a model Pool Partner mirrors on a smaller scale in Austria.
• Waterair Pools: French pool manufacturer/retailer specializing in self-build pool kits with custom shapes. Highly comparable to Pool Partner's Konzeptpool DIY offering, including the direct-to-consumer model with structured self-installation guidance.

Broad incumbents

• Hayward Industries: US-headquartered global pool equipment manufacturer (pumps, filters, heaters, cleaners). Overlaps with Pool Partner's heat pump, filter, and pool robot categories but operates as a broad incumbent equipment OEM rather than a residential pool specialist.
• Pentair: US-headquartered global water and pool equipment company offering pumps, filters, heaters, and automation. Comparable to Pool Partner's pool technology assortment but at vastly greater scale and as a B2B equipment brand rather than end-retailer.
• Fluidra: Spanish-headquartered global leader in pool and wellness equipment (pumps, filters, heaters, dosing). Overlaps with Pool Partner's technology category but operates as a broad B2B equipment manufacturer/supplier rather than a residential retail specialist.
• SCP Pool Corporation (SCP Distributors): Largest wholesale distributor of pool supplies, equipment, and accessories in North America with growing European presence. Comparable as a scaled pool supply distribution operation to Pool Partner's hybrid retail/dealer model.

Regional players

• BWT AG: Austrian-headquartered water treatment company with a dedicated pool division offering dosing systems, salt electrolysis, and water care products. Operates from the same domestic market as Pool Partner and overlaps in water treatment and pool technology categories.

Others

• Hornbach Baumarkt: German/Dutch home improvement chain with significant pool and outdoor category presence across Austria and DACH. Competes indirectly with Pool Partner on above-ground pools, accessories, and pool care products through broad retail rather than specialist positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/poolpartner
• Instagraminstagram.com/pool_partner
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/poolpartner

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pool Partner Handels Gsmbh