Perfect storm: Luca Perreca tells us about the process of returning to "normality", between "mobile" storms and a "lively" market"

November 2, 2021

For companies that are part of the chain of events, the Covid19 pandemic represented the perfect storm.

In a few hours, with the first lockdown, a world of people accustomed to a frenetic activity made of creativity, professional rigor, the ability to quickly find technical and organizational solutions, constantly focused on "going on stage", found itself completely still, without a perspective, without a horizon towards which to direct one's energies.

All the activities involving the presence of an audience stopped at the same time: fairs, congresses, concerts, exhibitions, fashion shows, parties.

As soon as it became possible to physically return to the company, coinciding with the measures that returned operations to those who "manufactured furniture", an activity we carry out in the production of interior design, we set ourselves two apparently irreconcilable objectives: to face the potential zeroing of orders and, at the same time, keeping the team of people who represent the essence of the company vital and supportive.

The temptation to focus only on a logic of cost containment, extensively applying the redundancy fund tools, seemed immediately necessary but dangerous, so we decided to remain largely “open”.

We were not alone in this choice.

Architects, designers, design studios, communication and PR agencies, which are the realities with which we usually collaborate, have allowed us to evaluate and share a path, compatible with the pandemic emergency. This collaboration produced, in the months of the lockdown, the expansion of the demand for furniture and the renewal of spaces, involving both individuals and businesses.

We have tried to answer this question with a different pace and intensity, but with the same passion; in this way we have managed to remain active while also maintaining a constant relationship with the network of suppliers and partners.

This allowed us, with the initially gradual but fortunately already lively market recovery in recent months, to be ready for the new challenges.

The scenario we have before us is full of prospects: the ongoing economic recovery brings with it a growing demand for events but there is no shortage of problems.

Raw materials, from wood to metals, semi-finished products, electronic components, are difficult to find and delivery times have lengthened making our work difficult, which almost always needs answers in real time.

There have also been important changes on the skilled labor front, primarily that dedicated to setting up the fittings. Due to the forced stop to work during the months of the lockdown, many workers, from European and non-European countries, have returned to their countries of origin, others have switched to different activities, construction, transport, industry ...

We must therefore face a paradox: after months without the possibility of work, now we are faced with the difficulty of giving an adequate response to requests.

Also in this case the solution comes from teamwork, from the continuous exchange of information, from the consolidated network of relationships created over time, from personal and professional relationships.

There will certainly be changes but, working together, we are sure we can face them.

Luca Perreca, Technical Office Coordinator