EDITOR’S LETTER
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T
he economic situation in Europe is decidedly improving. Businesses and citizens’ confidence is increasing, consumption is picking up again, and this is reflected in significantly improving growth figures and strong exports. Some indicators are pointing to an even stronger recovery at the European level. The vaccination campaign is helping effectively contain the epidemic. Despite the threat of variants, thanks to the vaccination of a large proportion of the European population the rate of infection and, above all, the rate of hospitalisations and admissions to intensive care is far lower than it was even just six months ago. Therefore, this summer has started with positive news, which do not mark the end of the pandemic yet, but certainly bring more certainties than one year ago. On an even more positive note, the industry actually seems to be reflecting the official data from national and European monitoring – which is not always the case, since there is often a mismatch between the forecasts made “in the corridors of power” and production reality. The ipcm® issues published in the first six months of 2021 have been richer in reports about innovation investments than ever and this July-August issue is no different. The many companies reporting on their experiences certainly depict a strong, sound manufacturing industry in numerous sectors. This is especially true when firms are managed by private capital and entrepreneurial families who, unlike investment funds or financial groups, do not look so much at EBITDA and dividends as at the value of their companies as a whole – their staff, skills, and expertise to safeguard. However, this does not mean that all instability factors have been eliminated. The scarcity of raw materials is persisting, resulting in exaggerated price increases that are putting a strain on all sectors. Incidentally, the industry finds itself in this condition more for political reasons than for actual manufacturing circumstances. The travel ban imposed by the USA on Schengen countries and a few others (Brazil, India, China, and South Africa, for example) also continues. Whereas the executive orders issued by former President Donald Trump in March 2020 and then confirmed by the Biden administration were intended to contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the labour market, their motivation is now unclear. We are in a global recovery phase and the rules need to be changed, because there are so many European economic interests in the US. Moreover, the persistent travel ban is also violating the reciprocity clause, as American citizens can come to Europe under the imposed rules (Covid certificate or swab). Finally, there is the issue of a mandatory “green pass” for access to many public places where it is impossible to maintain social distance, except at the expense of heavy restrictions. For some people, this will do more harm than good to our recovering economies. We at ipcm®, on the other hand, are favourable to it: there is nothing more motivating and positive for productivity than working safely. The possibility of returning to face-to-face events, to personal appointments with clients (already resumed, but still with a certain anxiety), and to a more relaxed and less fearful climate in offices, on public transport, and in restaurants, but above all the chance to consider home working as an option and not an obligation are all ingredients for the new normality.
Alessia Venturi Editor-in-chief Direttore Responsabile
international PAINT&COATING magazine - JULY/AUGUST 2021 - N. 70
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