How did the 2020, dominated by pandemic, passed in Melaco?

The year was difficult – quite unexpectedly, because the first quarter seemed to predict an exceptionally good year. The pandemic naturally caused perturbations that affected various companies, manufacturers and, above all, our whole lives.

However, I would say that although it was difficult, this year was very interesting. It triggered a great deal of mobilization, ideas and invention in all members of the Melaco crew, which resulted in completely unexpected results. It is just like the popular saying – “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”. When problems arise, paradoxically, we start working with greater intensity, thinking what can be done differently and better, what should be improved. We believe that necessity is the mother of invention – we start to implement new ideas based on what we know and have today.

During the pandemic period, we developed fresh solutions, which we turned into new orders and new customers interested in working with Melaco. There were really complicated questions or topics that forced us to think hard and resulted in the most interesting products. It gave us great satisfaction, we proved to ourselves that we can – and it is probably important.

You are talking about new products. Did they suggest ideas for investments or made it possible to create specific plans for the development of the machine park we are in now?

It certainly resulted in the concept of organizational changes in the company, including the formula for the functioning of specific departments. When it comes to innovation – we have technology FLICK&CLICK™, i.e. a tool-free assembly technology in which we work on a specific type of connection. For the year 2021, we have planned the implementation of a completely new type of connection of elements based on the FLICK&CLICK™ technology. We are currently preparing both tools and equipment for machines – because completely new aggregates, which we have not dealt with so far, are required – as well as specific software. So next year we are taking a new direction that will entail a whole series of changes.

Also read: Click technology – what is it?

Has the pandemic opened up opportunities for the production of products that you did not consider previously? How did other industry representatives react?

In many cases, the industry responded similarly. The pandemic situation, as mentioned before, has triggered new ideas and forced us to accelerate our development in new areas. In the case of Melaco, it allowed for the development of fresh solutions and the introduction of new materials.

By introducing products such as Design Solutions™ decorative panels or Complete Skin furniture boards, as well as Home Office and Home Store collections, we started to move in completely new surface technologies. This applies to the absolutely innovative PREMIER MATT films, about which we have already written on the website.

Are you satisfied with how your year has passed? Melaco overcame the difficulties?

It is a question of whether we have failed or won. In my opinion, we won. This year did not differ from the previous ones – earlier, just like now, we were trying to invest in innovative solutions. The enthusiasm, energy, ideas that accompanied us throughout the whole situation definitely testify to the success of Melaco.

Were there stressful situations especially at the beginning of the pandemic? Or were you able to provide Melaco employees with stable jobs right away?

The atmosphere that prevailed from the beginning of the pandemic is mainly due to the vice-president Dariusz Piotrowski, who reliably and objectively informed employees about what was going on, not only in the industry in general, but also in our company and business partners – both suppliers and customers. We didn’t panic. The increased sense of security was influenced, for example, by the ongoing awareness of Melaco employees about which plans we would implement and how we intend to approach them. They accepted it with calm, understanding and commitment. I think it makes a big difference – any sudden, panicky move in those days could have had very different effects.

As a production manager, I can say that everyone approached their duties extremely honestly, reliably and with full responsibility.

Some people who, perhaps a year ago, were in a completely different place, today stand at the machines as completely different people with new skills – I really appreciate that they have not given up.

Do you have any plans for the new year? Or is it better to be careful during pandemic?

You must always plan! I think we will develop everything we did last year. New products, topics with which we started and which are already operating on the market today are of great importance and offer considerable development opportunities. It’s not that a new product is immediately successful; everything takes time, but we believe that the continuation of specific activities and further development will bring amazing results in 2021. We don’t lack ideas. This is the best part – that you are always waiting for what will happen next!