President of ELSET, Mr. Th. Kalakvouras and the member of its Administrative Council, Mr. Ag. Mpalamatsias, gave an interview on the newspaper “Typographia” about the crisis, its consequences and the future
The slogan “back to normality” seems simple and easy, but in fact it isn’t. It can’t come true in a day and the new “normality” won’t be exactly the one that existed before the pandemic. It’s widely known that the future will bring changes and we can’t understand how many, which ones and how big they will be.
President of ELSET, Mr. Theodoros Kalakvouras and the member of its Administrative Council, Mr. Aggelos Mpalamatsias, explain in their interview in “Typographia” that the label industry couldn’t turn down its productivity during the pandemic, since it had to provide uninterruptedly the companies of food, medicines or cleaning supplies production. They also talked about the way and the size of the COVID-19 effects on the label industry, the difficulties they faced on the job scheduling, the problems on the smooth handling of raw materials, the upcoming changes on the label industry, the participation of ELSET in the battle against the pandemic, the future of the sector’s exhibitions and for the positive messages for the future, since usually a sunshine comes after the rain.
Q: Which is the first impression your members gave you? What measures did they take, how are they scheduling their jobs or haw do they approach their customers?
A: We thought that we should take as more and safest measures as possible. In any situation we could, we increased and diluted the shifts, we disinfected the working places, we helped the employees who belong to vulnerable groups to avoid coming to the companies, we applied teleworking in any situation we could apply it and, in general, we followed the instructions of the specialized doctors. About our communication with the customers, the contact through internet was almost exclusive.
Q: The biggest demand was for which kind of products? Of course, there was a bigger demand for some of them. Were there some products that met a reduced demand?
A: On the contrary of the production scheduling before the pandemic, the changes on the consumers’ daily lives lead, as it was expected, to a great upheaval and fluctuation in every companies’ scheduling. The developments was rapid and massive, as very quickly the retail points and the restaurants closed, something that swelled disproportionately in some occasions the sales of packed products and self-care products and sanitary wares. So, the sector was extremely active, but having very different production criteria.
Q: Did you face problems with the raw materials? Did you reach in a breaking point due to the difficulties you faced with the transportations? If you did, how did you face it?
A: Given the circumstances, we could say that the foreign companies which are the main providers for the label industry of the whole Europe (and consequently of Greece) met our demands. Of course the delivery times were affected in a negative way, given that the volume of orders was enormous and that in countries like Italy, Spain or France the states had from the very first time security personnel, as they were in quarantine. In conclusion, the biggest difficulty we faced was on the businesses’ stock management, as we had to handle a great volume of printing work which couldn’t be predicted and, on the other hand, we had to take immediately some decisions about any supply form abroad, in combination with the uncertainty about the future.
Q: Did the measures taken by the government or the governments of other countries (Italy, Germany or France) help the package and printing industries? Do you think that there should be any additional measures?
A: Concerning businesses, the clear instructions about the preventive measures at the working places and, on the other hand, the applicable financial measures (loan interest subsidy, deferral of public payments and reduced loan interests for the restart of the production) are giving us the hope that the “next day” all of us will be healthy physically and financially.
Q: What do you think about the “next day”? Do you believe that the label industry has faced many changes and that those changes will be of a vital meaning?
A: Every obstacle, apart from the difficulties it creates, it also have some positive effects. We all saw a lot of things form a completely different view. We adjusted our lives in new circumstances which we couldn’t even imagine. Now we had to make an assessment, to restore the things that used to help us and to maintain any of the new measures that proved themselves useful. We have to think very well before any decision. Also, we have to note that the sector’s coiling in this moment is imperative, in order to acquaint our contribution in these difficult circumstances (and in general). We also have to ensure the safe operation of our companies before we get noted as “affected companies” but without serious financial damage, something that will exclude us from any upcoming support features. As for the matter of which changes we will maintain, that’s something that we need time to decide it, as now it’s very soon for it.
Q: Were there any effects on the industrial relations? If yes, how can ELSET face the issues that occurred or will occur during the next months? What advices would you give to your members for their management?
A: Of course there were effects on the industrial relations, just like on every aspect of social life. We advise our members to continue to listen to what the specialized doctors say, to apply the measures they suggest and to see carefully the developments on a daily basis.
Q: The printing company on the whole world showed an impressive willingness to cooperate with anyone against COVID-19, offering equipment, expertise and even research. Huge companies cooperated with the governments and helped the health system. Did this also happen in Greece?
A: ELSET mobilized its members and collected funding for the purchase of a biosafety chamber, which was donated to Vardakeios and Proios hospitals in Syros. We would also like to note that there was a provider who participated in our campaign without being member of ELSET.
Q: The printing industry in a national level (but also worldwide) has been hurt due to the pandemic. However, the package and label industries seem to keep up with it, something that also happens with their supply chain, due to the increased request on packed food, e-commerce and medicines. Do you agree with the image that the first researches on European countries give?
Α: A crisis of any form doesn’t have a seal. So, the package and the label industry (which is a part of the package industry) had also been affected. Our sector didn’t shut down, because the essentials (food products, medicines or disinfectants) couldn’t be unpacked or without having a label (that is without “identity”) on them. However, we have to see the new market circumstances before saying what the exact image is.
Q: There were negative effects on the commercial exhibitions, where “Drupa”, “Fespa” and “Interpack” are their first victims. However, it seems that some VR exhibitions took place, replacing somehow the normal ones. What is your opinion on this?
Α: It seems that, at least in this moment, the indirect personal contact can’t be replaced by VR. Nobody goes to an exhibition just to take a look. Everyone goes to the exhibitions in order to hear, to understand what’s coming next, the new market trends and the next steps of the businesses. It’s the same for both the exhibitors and the visitors. So, I believe that for a long time yet the computers won’t replace the kiosks, the exhibits and the corridors of a “live” presentation.
Q: There has been no announcement yet about “SYSKEVASIA 2020” event, which was fixed to take place on October. What do you believe that has to be done for that and what measures have to be taken? Do you believe that exhibitors’ and visitors’ participation has been affected?
Α: We can’t suggest any measure. We just have to follow the instructions of the specialized doctors. Also, nobody can guess whether (and in what level) businessmen and visitors will be affected, especially for an event that is set to take place five months after. The only thing we can do is to wish that this whole story will have been ended until then and we will only remember it as a bad memory.
Q: What ELSET wants to say to its members and what does it intends to do for their support?
Α: We want to give our members a positive message. Since we endured until now, the future seems to be better. Concerning ELSET’s next steps, we have to evaluate the new circumstances after the end of this situation in order to make a substantial plan.
