The future of JDS Pools: what’s in store?

In order to strengthen its management, swimming pool constructor JDS Pools has joined forces with GT Invest, ready to dive into a new future. JDS Pools, named after its founder Johny De Smet, currently installs 150 swimming pools a year and is one of the largest players in Flanders. Through its partnership with GT Invest, the family business wants to grow further, both independently and through acquisitions, with the aim of becoming the undisputed market leader in Belgium.

A challenging market in full expansion

In recent years, the swimming pool market has experienced strong growth. Mainly because of the recent pandemic, Flemish people have started to focus more on personal luxury at home. This has boosted the popularity of swimming pools even further. In addition, low interest rates, better weather conditions and more affordable investment and operating costs are the main drivers of increasing sales. This development has resulted in a proliferation of swimming pool installers, and not all of them have a professional background. As a reputable and experienced expert, JDS Pools wishes to strengthen its market position by further professionalising and expanding, both independently and through acquisitions.

In order to create continuity for the company and its employees, and to make further investments aimed at profitable and sustainable growth, Johny De Smet and his wife Caroline Van Heuverswijn got in touch with the investment company GT Invest. Together, they are now expanding JDS Pools further with the ambition of making it the undisputed market leader in Flanders and Belgium. GT Invest is responsible for the further professionalisation of the company and is offering acquisition support to stimulate the organic growth of JDS Pools.

About JDS Pools

JDS Pools started as the personal swimming pool dream of Johny De Smet. Twenty years ago, he experienced the luxury of having his own swimming pool for the first time and he wanted to share this experience with others. Together with his wife Caroline and son Ruben he set up the family business, which now installs 150 swimming pools a year all over Belgium. The mission of JDS Pools? To ensure everyone can enjoy the pleasure of a private swimming pool at home. JDS Pools, with showrooms in Adegem (Maldegem) and Knokke, currently works with a team of about fifteen people.

Johny De Smet: "I am very satisfied about our partnership with GT Invest. Its young and ambitious team strengthens our company with the knowledge and experience we need to continue to grow. They will support me in my dream of helping even more customers achieve theirdream: a perfect pool solution at home. I founded JDS Pools over 20 years ago and it has become my life’s work; it is very close to my heart. It is reassuring that I can now pass it on to the next generation without having to say goodbye to the company. This also ensures continuity for the employees. After all, they are the ones who helped develop JDS Pools into the company it is today!"

GT Invest (Miek Geerardyn – Steve Tourlouse): "JDS Pools is a great company in an extremely attractive and growing market. The company owes its strong position and reputation to Johny and Caroline’s hard work and commitment. JDS Pools is now a professional player in a market that is currently very fragmented and requires professionalisation. We look forward to the future and are glad that Johny is staying on board, both on an operational level and as a shareholder and sounding board."

More info?
For more information about this partnership, feel free to contact Steve Tourlouse on (+32)(0)478 24 65 66 or at steve@gt-invest.be.
Keen to find out more about JDS Pools? Take a look at www.jds-pools.be.