A Business Update from Vice President & General Manager Michel Merkx

Trade, Turbulence & Tenacity:

“The announced and implemented trade tariffs have created a tremendous impact on demand and market volatility in the (second) quarter and will likely continue in the third (and possibly fourth) quarter of this year.

We hear this from our customers and suppliers across the various markets we serve both domestically and overseas. Market activities and demand have been slower than predicted and the focus has shifted from growth and development to dealing with uncertainty, lower demand and cost management.

At ABI Tape, we source and proudly manufacture our products in the USA. In addition to managing the aforementioned external challenges, we are continuing to make important and necessary upgrades and improvements to provide greater value for our customers.

Our focus on servicing our customers has never been greater. This is supported by our investments in upgraded infrastructure, new manufacturing equipment, new product solutions for Surface Protection, Graphics and Automotive applications as well as new ‘America Made’ and ‘Union Made’ programs in our HVAC & Insulation tapes.

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.

In times of uncertainty, it’s so important to focus on what you can manage; not think in ‘extreme’ outcomes but rather what is more likely to happen; bank the resilience you have built; don’t read everything you believe; and collaborate with kindness, understanding and respect.

I remain optimistic and excited about our future and want to thank all our customers, supply partners and ABI Tape team members for your patience and unwavering support and business.”

With warm regards,

Michel Merkx