Happy New Year!

Hello readers.  Well, here we are. After what will have been for most (responsible!) folk a very subdued New Year’s Eve celebration, we have arrived at 2021. But we should acknowledge that there are readers of this who will have been close to those who saw in the New Year with us twelve months ago, who sadly are with us no more. In our reflection of all that was achieved in 2020, we will remember them.

For what has been for all a challenging and difficult year – personally, professionally, and commercially – we need only look back on the incredible developments, innovations and initiatives from across our industry to see how much resilience, drive, entrepreneurial spirit, and simple good will there is which is driving the sector from strength-to-strength.

The overhanging spectre of Covid-19 many would have thought would have at least squeezed the industry, but on the contrary, we have seen near record levels of sales, investments, expansions, hires, and commitments to the future, making our outlook for 2021 more promising than ever. Here at Canmaking News we seized the opportunity for change, with many improvements to user experience on our online magazine, a snappily designed new logo, increasingly rapid, industry leading news updates, and a fresh perspective on our feature articles.

One major aspect of our industry which I feel we all have in common is our social nature. This is a people led business, with connections, networks, and long-term professional friendships real lifeblood giving this industry a real joie de vivre, something quickly noticed by newcomers. The lack of the usual raft of conferences, exhibitions, drinks, dinners and other various events will surely have been hard on many of us. It remains to be seen whether the online, digital, Zoom way of operating will replace or supplant what has been the norm for so long, but for now we try our best. I very much however to look forward see many of you at some point in 2021, as restrictions ease and the threat of this pandemic abates. Until then, I wish you a prosperous new year.

Janis Osborn

Publisher