A stirring year awaits us

That is what happened this year at Glasstec – the signs we saw toward the end of the year pointed to a very good start to the year about to be ushered in.  Not that the chronic difficulties are behind us (that would be too good, and too easy) but the impressions of the vast majority of companies that participated in the trade show attest to the perception that markets are beginning to regain their vigor. The struggles in Europe, nevertheless, allow enterprises in the traditional ‘driver’ countries, like Germany and Great Britain, to rediscover a good appetite for investments, but with a few extra concerns for Germany, in difficulty over its exports to Russia, now officially in recession. But even the lesser European countries (recently at the center of severe recessions) like Spain, Portugal and Ireland, are coming out of the crisis and beginning to perk up.

The greatest evidence of these changing times comes from the United States, which seems to be the real driver of global growth. The creation of new jobs and the significant rise in GDP to an average record of 4% for the last quarter, are meaningful results that leave room for optimistic hopes regarding the immediate future of our sector. But the news that heralds a decidedly optimistic outlook is the very recent increase in wages, modest perhaps in numeric terms but indicative of a trend reversal that can’t help but benefit the purchasing power of the middle class. A decidedly positive trend, and Italian businesses in our sector are feeling the benefits, as indicated by the key players themselves.

So, 2015 promises to be a year that bodes well, and for us it will play a particularly important role. In fact, it is the year of the 19th Vitrum. But, above all, this edition is a huge opportunity for Vitrum to intensify its international reach, thanks to the fact that it runs concurrent to Expo 2015. For six months Milan will be at the center of the global spotlight because more than 140 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, through the key players in the global economic and production scenes, will show visitors from around the world the best each of them has to offer in terms of culture and science, innovation and tradition, solidarity and sustainability. Vitrum will take advantage of this amazing opportunity, tapping into the virtuous circle of Expo 2015. Visitors to Vitrum will have the unique opportunity for the experience of a lifetime – the unbelievably compelling sensation of being citizens of the world in every way.