Although the media describe the global industrial situation gloomily, with recession forecasts for all major world economic powers, we have found a dynamic and confident atmosphere during our first visits of the year to several surface treatment companies.
Whether they are new coating booths, sensors and control equipment installed in the pre-treatment phase together with a change in the chemical used, or complete finishing lines, the Industry 4.0 and its digital paradigms have been the main drivers of development and investment.
However, they are not the only ones: the improvement of production sustainability, the replacement of chromium-based pre-treatment processes and, above all, the automation of production and control processes are all significant trends that translate into production efficiency, consumption and waste reduction, and, above all, quality consistency.
The disconnect between the political-financial and industrial reality is well known. The spirit of initiative and the courage of entrepreneurs, the support and lobby work of associations, and the concreteness and willingness of individuals can produce wealth even in times of recession. These strengths enable economies to emerge from the quagmire in the long run – in spite of everything.