A Business Update from Vice President & General Manager Michel Merkx

A Turbulent Start to the Year!:

“Running a business is arguably always uncertain. From changes in customer demand and requirements, finding and retaining fitting, talented team members, and challenges in the supply chain, our environment is always dynamic. As such, the term ‘uncertainty’ is perhaps a bit overused. That said, the number, volatility and likely impact of the amount of trade policy changes initiated by our Administration, give yet again a whole new dimension to uncertainty.

Whether one agrees or not with these policies is not the point. The consequences, however, show that many businesses as well as consumers adopt a ‘wait and see’ stand to investments, developments, acquisitions, etc. and assess the impact of increased cost and pricing. Subsequently, market activities and demand have been slow, and many resources have been diverted to dealing with these ‘uncertainties’ rather than new growth opportunities.

At ABI / Ideal Tape, in addition to managing these external challenges, we are driving our own important and exciting changes and improvements which better prepare us to respond and deal with fluctuating market conditions and add value for our customers.

Our focus on servicing our customers has never been greater. We have new solutions for Surface Protection Films in Appliance, Metal/Coil, and Automotive applications, new marketing programs in our Graphics application paper and films, expanding our ‘America Made’ and ‘Union Made’ program for our HVAC & Insulation tapes, and introducing new environmentally responsible tapes for the footwear and leather goods market.

Contact our worldclass commercial and technical teams in the USA, Belgium, Italy, Singapore, China, and South Korea with any engineering or application challenge you have, and we will be delighted to offer our expertise.

A big thank you to all our customers and supply partners for your patience and support during this transitionary period and we greatly appreciate your business and partnership. Here’s to less ‘uncertain times’.”

With warm regards,

Michel Merkx