The uncertainty is the feeling that still prevails in all of us; however, we must face the future with the optimism dictated by the will to restart and plan our work. As far as Ponte Giulio is concerned, the company has faced this terrible pandemic period, first by planning and then by implementing a technological and industrial development plan, which is now completed. The implementation of a fully automated line for the processing of steel pipes allows us to look forward to the coming months and plan the development of new products with the guarantee of a high level of quality and mechanical precision. As for the expectations, we are aware of the changes taking place in our society and in our customs, but we believe that listening to visitors at the fair, the care towards customers and the attention in the manufacturing of products, are the values to insist on, in order to have credibility as a brand and get the best results from the market. Ponte Giulio presents itself at Cersaie with a wide, varied and rich offer, especially for the shower area.

Direct contact makes it possible to clearly perceive any uncertainty or doubt on the part of the interlocutor; this is an aspect that, on the contrary, the "filter" created by the use of remote communication systems does not allow. Obviously, the improvements brought about by the massive use of video conferencing and virtual meetings, both in terms of connection and interface, are obvious, but the limitations of the medium remain. We cannot fail to note that for certain products, the possibility of being able to "experience" them in multisensory mode is the real added value. Probably for some categories of products it is not essential, but for others, such as a shower stool or a grab bar, nothing can be more useful than a test. This can only take place in exhibition as Cersaie or in a showroom. From the real experience and from the user's reaction we can gather a lot of information to develop a new product or, more simply, to improve an existing one. Exhibitions also offer this advantage, which I think is essential.

It is clear that over the last decade the fair has undertaken an important evolution process, involving the entire organization, imposed by changes in society and habits. On the other hand, the need to propose a "formula" that could attract visitors, at a time when events seem to have lost their "appeal", is essential. As far as the concept of "international" is concerned, I personally consider it inappropriate; without a doubt Cersaie has represented, and continues to be, an important event for the European public, but the perception we have had, over time from our stand, is that of a progressive reduction in both the number and variety of foreign visitors. We certainly cannot say that they are completely absent: they are, for the most part, from European countries. It is as if the process of evolution and change that the organization of the fair has rightly undertaken has, on the other hand, created a sort of disorientation on the part of the public in general and foreign visitors in particular. As far as our company is concerned, although we are aware of this "mutation", we continue to consider, at least in the context of the domestic market, this event important for all bathroom furnishing operators, although this sector seems to be becoming increasingly marginal, compared to the importance of coatings and treatments.

During the last five years Ponte Giulio has begun to translate in the form of proposals its vision of bathroom furniture for all, if we want a pragmatic proposal of "design-for-all", developed thanks to the close and continuous comparison with the market, through the close relationship between our sales network and the specialized distributors, then with the visitors of the various fairs and finally by treasuring the suggestions collected from the private individuals who regularly call our office. After the first step, the tangible result of which is the "Hug" collection, we turned our attention to the shower sector, developing a proposal that is still in the evolution phase, organized in the "Solo shower" line.Without wanting to reveal too much, it is obviously our intention to continue in this direction, trying to interpret the different contexts of the bathroom: sanitary ware area, washbasin area and shower or tub area, according to guidelines that we believe are essential to offer furnishing solutions for the home that can be adapted to the various phases of life, over time. Since we believe that safety and comfort are "values" that are common to both the private and public context, we have started to pay attention to the hospitality context as well, with a specific program that is constantly evolving and updating.