2020: HOW WAS IT FOR YOU? Eric Honkamp, sales manager for Cellusuede, reflects on the positives — quality family time, moving ahead with virtual technologies and a successful acquisition.
‘The good, the bad and the ugly’ Well, we’ve made it to 2021! But 2020 was like the 1966 Clint Eastwood movie “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. Let’s start with the Ugly. Cellusuede Products’ sales went down 80% in April and 45% in May. This was due in large part to the closing of the auto manufacturers. Moving on to the Bad. Although we’ve recovered nicely, 2020 ended up — as I am sure will be the case with most of us — but down overall over the year before. We will just put an asterisk next to this year in the history books. The in-person conferences, trade shows and meetings with personal conversations have also been dearly missed. And now for the Good! Along with the quality time spent with my family, I’ve been able to spend quality time in the office due to extraordinarily little travel since March. It has been a valuable lesson learned in increasing the use of virtual technology and digital advertising. I’m sure I will not be alone with the thought that this will be used much more in the future, even after regular travel resumes. Through all of the adversity, Cellusuede Products has this summer completed the acquisition and 100% ownership of Engineered Fibers Technology (EFT). This addition will position us for growth into newer and emerging markets as we provide highly technical short-cut fibers. We are now able to offer nano-fibrillated fiber to lithium-
“Through all of the adversity, Cellusuede Products has this summer completed the acquisition and 100% ownership of Engineered Fibers Technology. This addition will position us for growth into newer and emerging markets as we provide highly technical short-cut fibers.” ion separator manufacturing along with our current pasting fibers. The Cellusuede/EFT team and I are grateful for the support of our wonderful customers in the lead-acid battery industry. Although deemed an “essential business” through the various mandated shutdowns, it is evident and heartening to have us all pull together and work through these issues.
“As for 2021, I believe we have come out of this stronger, wiser and more empathetic to all customers, suppliers and even our competitors.” www.batteriesinternational.com
As for 2021, I believe we have come out of this stronger, wiser and more empathetic to all customers, suppliers and even competitors. Cellusuede/ EFT will continue to strengthen the relationships with our current customer base while strategically forging new partnerships with our expanding product offerings. The year to come should be strong for energy storage and the lead-acid battery industry and all of us here at Cellusuede/EFT are excited to be a part of it. If not before, I look forward to seeing everyone in September at the BCI in San Diego!
Batteries International • Winter 2019/20 • 61
