FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT: RICHARD LICATA – Page 2
The year 2020 has been a difficult and turbulent year at best and thank goodness it is coming to an end. Business wise, it has been a year filled with ups and downs. We came out of the gates strong and all indications were it was going to be a good year. Then the coronavirus hit and we saw our revenue and volume come to a screatching halt. As our economy starting opening up again, there was a pent up demand in our business and we were off to the races again. Fortunately, we are at the end of the year and it appears the demand for our business has never been greater. Not for all produce lines, our Account Business, International, and Office & Industrial are all suffering. But our core local and consumer interstate business has been strong. But we can’t loose focus, this is a wild ride and this pendemic is not over. Although we are all hoping for a much better 2021, until the vaccine is approved and widely distributed, the beginning of the next year will bring us more of the same. Your executive staff is busy trying to make sense of all this as we develop our business plan and budget for the New Year.
As predicted last month, the virus is again surging. Fauci just warned we may see surge on top of surge. That’s like Dean Wormer in Animal House saying we are on double secret probation! Irregardless, it was wise for us not to put a down payment on a banquet hall for our Annual Sal Manso Awards banquet. Not to worry, we will still be recognizing and awarding many of you who excelled in your respective job duties. Additionally, we will not be letting down the children this year. Many of them been “Nice” all year and it would not be fair to ignore their good behavior and not pass out Christmas Gifts. Of course it will be a little different this year in that we will require social distancing inbetween families, so time slots will need to be reserved. Santa also has some preexisting conditions, so he will be sending his elves to hand out the gifts in his place. The tentative date for Christmas Gift giving is Monday, Dec 21st.
My sincere thanks for all your loyalty and hard work this past year and the difference you have made in surviving this difficult year. May the Spirit of Christmas bring peace and good fortune for the coming New Year!