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Message from the President – March 2021

31/03/2021

Dear readers,

After a period of resilience which has lasted longer than any of us could have imagined, it is now time to develop a strategy to grow in a post-pandemic business environment.

The pandemic crisis has acted as a catalyst for change in many aspects of life, and the lubricant industry was no exception. The crisis generated a sense of urgency that accelerated decisions and change. Remote working and digitalization are prime examples of the changes that have happened at a pace which would have been unimaginable a year ago for a traditional industry such as ours.

This crisis challenged our beliefs and proved to us that we could do things differently yet still be successful. It tapped into huge creative and resilient potential. It is now crucial not to waste these learnings, but to build on them and embed them into new initiatives across our organizations. A study conducted by McKinsey shows that 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 have yet to be created. Change is unavoidable. Successful organizations should embrace change, re-imagine the way they operate and re-think their business models to create the foundations for future growth – a future in which sustainability and the green economy will play a pivotal role.

That is why the theme of this year’s UEIL Annual Virtual Congress will be “From business resilience to sustainable growth – Re-imagining the future of the lubricants industry”. On October 20-21, 2021 we will cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from leadership in times of change to the EU Green Deal, from sustainable mobility to diversity.

The format will include a combination of key-note speeches, thematic roundtables and networking, to ensure maximum engagement for all participants and to provide a thought-provoking, stimulating and inspiring experience. The full program will be available on the UEIL homepage.

I look forward to seeing you there so we can contribute together to the growth of our industry!

Valentina Serra-Holm

UEIL President