Time for a Change

If there’s one specific phenomenon that holds out hope for the future, it’s the one that’s surfacing as this year draws to a close – the desire for a change. That’s it; precisely this collective desire, shared by most of us, to work hard to help get the “jammed” wheels of the economy turning again. Gradually gathering momentum, perhaps, but at least back in action.

This seems to be the mindset with which most of our industry professionals are preparing to enter the new year, even before closing the books on the old one. In fact, 2012 looked like it was setting sail under the fairest conditions but, starting in March, the sluggish economy brought things to a standstill through the end of summer, leaving slim hope for signs of improvement in the third and fourth quarters.  All in all, we are still in the grips of uncertainty, buffeted between highs and lows that have been with us for four years. Which is why everyone feels like the time has come to say “enough”, and to really roll up our sleeves and get busy making things happen.

It may turn out to be the most valuable lesson learned at Glasstec 2012. In the words of Cinzia Schiatti, President of Gimav, there’s a renewed interest on the part of  industry professionals and businesses alike to make some well-planned, low-risk, short term investments, with special emphasis on quality choices. All of which lends credibility to that aspiration to begin that new phase of development we talked about earlier, and makes it a lot more exciting to work on the extensive Gimav calendar of activities scheduled for 2013. Included in this issue of  News Online is the calendar for five  international A-list glass industry events that Gimav member companies can participate in with the certainty of being able to offer the products that showcase their technological superiority to the most influential buyers in the world.

Our itinerary to distant  global markets will end at Vitrum 2013. As always, its perfect timing makes this tradeshow a reliable indicator of the state of health of a unique industry like that of glass processing. Which is even more meaningful because it serves as a timely reminder of all the changes and developments in key industries for the economy in general, starting with the building and construction sector.  Ahead of us we have an entire year to do our part and demonstrate, once again, our enterprising spirit and aptitude for innovation – the two most basic ingredients in our recipe for success.