In 2020, the world faced an unprecedented and challenging emergency situation, which unfortunately has not yet ended. The signs make us optimistic for the future, but reality tells us that Covid is still a factor we have to deal with every day. Needless to deny it, we have been very frightened by the loss of turnover in our companies, but it is also true that the crisis has stimulated our ability to react and has put us to the test: these are the moments when strategies are born and creativity is advanced. The crisis generated a challenge and pushed us to overcome it.
Faced with an emergency, companies are forced to think about priorities: with fewer resources, they are obliged to optimise them to achieve the best results.
It is precisely for this reason that Idral, which has long since become an integral part of the Industry 4.0 phenomenon, continues to invest in optimising its production processes: in 2020, we started to map out the lean manufacturing path, which will continue in 2021 with the implementation of new processes that will allow us to further improve our performance and agility towards the market.
In 2021, we expect a world market still with great difficulties and restrictions. The pandemic has changed social dynamics, promoted digitisation and revolutionised the approach to keeping alive the relationships that underpin all economic activity.
New perspectives will emerge in Italy when the water bonus takes hold, and there will also be a tap bonus that will help support our sector. In this respect, Idral has been ready for several years: since 2014 it has joined the Water Label, now called 'EUROPEANWATERLABEL', i.e. the European Association for Energy and Water Saving. In this respect, we have a wide range of products that comply with the standards and qualify for the Water Bonus.
Our plans for 2021
In 2021 we have a full programme of activities, some of which were already planned last year:
- Idral turned 50 years old in 2020. Unfortunately, the situation did not allow us to organise an event to let our customers know how we have developed over the years and what we have become: a medium-sized Italian company, but also a flagship in its sector. Continuous investments make us ready to face market changes, thanks also to a very flexible production cycle. We do not only apply the concept of innovation to the functionality of products, but also to technology, design, materials research, production processes and respect for the environment.
- We will present new designer electronic taps, always with our philosophy of water saving and hygiene, which is particularly relevant at the moment. There will be the revolutionary new built-in system that will allow us to give a free choice of the type of tap to be used at a later date.
- We will strengthen our project to support planners by means of our promoter who, in addition to visiting and informing about the various solutions available, is able to carry out inspections, develop specifications and suggest solutions, and solve problems encountered in the execution of works.
- We will publish our new Portrait (Corporate Image Catalogue), which will give a better understanding of Idral's potential and suggest a series of solutions through the best references of sanitary and hospitality facilities worldwide, always with a view to water saving and the most accurate hygiene.
- We will make up for the lack of trade fairs by reinforcing digital marketing to bring as much information as possible to industry operators. We will also participate in dedicated webinars and develop our database by implementing BIM.
We wish you an excellent 2021 and are always at your service for any doubts or questions related to our field of expertise.
by Riccardo Poletti
Head of Sales & Marketing