Happy New Year! I have to say, I couldn’t be happier to shut the door on 2020. I’m hoping 2021 will bring all of us better times. While the past year has definitely made for trying moments, it seems that many of the fabricators I have spoken with are finding themselves busy. This is definitely reassuring to hear. In fact, according to Stone World’s annual Fabricator Forecast, which you can find beginning on page 36, two-in-five respondents (40%) have seen an increase in their companies’ gross annual sales over the last year by an average of 32%. Moreover, despite the tumultuous time, more than half (63%) of the fabricators polled in the survey expect sales for the stone and alternative surfaces market to increase in 2021. This percentage is only slightly down from the 67% who expressed optimism about 2020. A total of 66% foresee receiving a net profit more than in 2020.

Now I’m not saying it’s going to be smooth sailing for everyone this coming year. I realize that at least the first half of 2021 will still be rocky, as we hopefully navigate out of the pandemic. But I believe optimism is important, and it is assuring to see that there are industry members who are looking ahead with positivity.