The search for new market niches and innovation, added to the trends of sustainability and digital transformation are the levers for companies to overcome this crisis, as concluded in the VII Congress of FESPA Spain, held on October 29 and 30 in virtual format. Under the title Together on the road to reactivating the sector, the event focused on presenting the situation of the industry and analyzing recovery options based on success stories from associated companies and on the different help lines they can avail of. .
«At the beginning of the state of alarm in March the sector was practically in a situation of partial unemployment. In June 2020 the sector had an estimated activity of 40 percent, in summer it increased to 80 percent and as of today, after the evolution of September and October, it is estimated that we are at 70 percent ", he explained Pablo Serrano, Secretary General of FESPA Spain.
"Internally," added Serrano, "FESPA Spain's work focused on continuous information, training and constant monitoring of the sector." In addition, a process of strong collaboration and work in common with the rest of the associations of the visual communication value chain began, which has crystallized at the debate table of the VII Congress.
At the international level, FESPA Global has focused its work on supporting the national associations that make up the federation and their associated companies. Explained it Emma Green, Manager of Associations of FESPA, who made a tour of the situation of the sector in the different countries of the world where FESPA is represented: «Of the 37 countries where we have associations, only in two there was no financial support from governments companies, Mexico and Hungary ».
Sustainability and digital transformation are the two current trends that the market demands and that facilitate the survival of companies. To talk about sustainability, the VII Congress of FESPA Spain had the participation of Lorena Fair, founder and head of R&D of BGSS and Carlos ReinosoDirector General aspaper, the Spanish association of pulp, paper and cardboard manufacturers.
On these financing possibilities and the aid that is being agreed at the negotiating tables between the Government, the unions and the employers, he spoke Pedro Fernandez, Secretary General of CEPYME.
The situation of visual communication companies is not the same in all cases. Some have found market niches to focus on right now that are helping them stay until the economy and demand stabilize. This is the case of Moldiber or Iruña Custom Print. The proper functioning of visual communication companies depends to a large extent on the suppliers of raw materials and services, who participated in a discussion table at the FESPA Spain congress.
The last thematic block of the VII Congress of FESPA Spain focused on digital transformation, a process that is being carried out by a large number of companies and that in many cases need external support.
These tools, as commented Gabriel Virtus, President of FESPA Spain at the conclusion of the meeting, help us overcome complex situations such as the one we are going through now. This is precisely why it is important to know how to adapt to the environment and take advantage, now more than ever, of the opportunities offered by associations.
