Most of us in the finishing industry have been "cautiously optimistic" for so long now, the words have lost much of their meaning. But after white-knuckling it for the past few years, there seems to be reason we can finally ease our grip. Something different is going on this year: People are believing in their optimism and making it work.
While no one is suggesting 2004 will sparkle like a firework, the news is encouraging. End users and suppliers alike predict a slow but steady pickup in business this year. Even board and committee members who in recent years have rightly kept our expectations in check are issuing reports of good news.