NEWS
THIS MONTH
THE STORIES TO READ , THE PODS TO LISTEN TO AND THE MEDIA TO GET STUCK IN TO .
GLOBAL VIEW
GEMCELL IS PART OF IMELCO , THE GLOBAL GROUP OF INTERNATIONAL WHOLESALERS , AND EACH ISSUE WE CHAT TO AN IMELCO MEMBER TO GET AN INSIGHT INTO WHAT ’ S GOING ON IN THEIR CORNER OF THE WORLD . FOR THIS ISSUE , WE SKYPED IN TO SPAIN TO LEARN MORE FROM JOSEP RAVENTÓS , MD OF IMELCO MEMBER AUNA SPAIN AND PORTUGAL .
Over the past year , we ’ ve all faced disaster in the shape of COVID-19 , and it should make us reflect . If there is no health , there is no progress – and without progress it is difficult for our businesses to grow and become prosperous .
On a business level , AUNA Group ’ s 2020 cannot be considered a bad year – our decrease was only four per cent compared to the magnificent year we had in 2019 .
I am speaking to you from the south of Europe – an area in which , despite the fantastic lifestyle , there are serious structural problems that have been accentuated as the virus has swept through . We have a unique opportunity as members of the European Union to use the common funds that we will receive to solve these problems .
I have always believed that the speed and anticipation of change is the key in the industry at a global level , from any point of view : technological , environmental , social .
Increasingly , our customers will need a supplier that is more efficient and more adaptable to all their changing needs : technically prepared , digital , sustainable and multidisciplinary .
We must address the concerns and developments of our strategic suppliers in order to continue to enjoy their support as transmitters in the professional market .
An extraordinary investment framework is opening up – reindustrialisation , improvements to the healthcare infrastructure , energy revolution with new generation sources , and the infrastructure to support and store that . And then , of course , the new electric grid concept that will be required for the implementation of the electric vehicle .
Renewable energies have become one of the main focuses for us as a group , and we have a department that specialises in this type of installation , which provides support to our associated distributors , offering pre-sales and after-sales service , as well as continuous technical and practical training .
We are also investing to support the industry here – the big business to consumer companies are capable of developing in our natural environment , so investment in digitisation , logistics and professional support services will be invaluable .
Let ’ s hope that we can definitively defeat this pandemic , and look forward to a successful remainder of 2021 .
RELAX … FOR A PRICE
Las Vegas event CES ( Consumer Electronic Show ) is always a great one for tech launches . Back in 1970 , for example , the VCR was launched there , and 3D HDTVs debuted on the Strip in 2009 . While it had to take on a very different guise this year ( for obvious reasons ), there was still a boatload of cool tech on show . Our favourite category is always ‘ Most Unexpected Product ’ – and this year ’ s award went to the Kohler Stillness Bath . Taking inspiration from Japanese forest bathing , the freestanding bath adds steam , lighting and aroma to the prerequisite water . Perfect after a tough day at work – but with a hefty price tag of about AU $ 20,000 , you may need to win a few more big contracts first .
FROM THE ARCHIVES : BATTS IN THE BELFRY ! ISSUE 102 – APRIL-MAY 2011
Roof spaces and every danger that can lurk in them were the talk of Electrical Gems 10 years ago , as the industry dealt with the repercussions of the Home Insulation Program . From insulation batts and foil-based insulation to exposed wiring and snakes , we covered a host of issues that could cause tradies problems – all of which are still very relevant today .
6 GEMCELL . COM . AU APR – MAY 2021