It’s this time of year I am pestered by Amy in marketing to write my blog. Some of you might remember I used to write a blog back in lockdown 1. I’m not sure why it started but at its height I think it reached a readership of half a dozen which was enough to keep my creative juices flowing and me to continue until we were allowed outdoors.

It’s a nice time of year to write this. Reflecting is a time to look back at the highs and lows. I’m not one to dwell on a situation if it’s gone belly up but I guess we can all learn a thing or two. I know one thing for sure, and it may be more relating to my age but it’s been a tiring year. I’m knackered! It could be the Covid situation hasn’t allowed us proper time to recharge on a beach somewhere or maybe because of how slow 2020 was it has since been all hands to the pump to make amends. Who knows but the Christmas break is really welcome.

So, what happened in 2021 at Chez Norseal? When I look back at the targets I set for the business, sales, margin etc and then look back on further lockdowns, supply chain problems, material shortages and costs going through the roof it is easy to understand how some people say why bother having targets. But we will set them again next year and the year after. To have something to aspire to, that can gel the team and hold us all accountable to each other provides great focus.

This year we introduced you to the team (Well it was last years advent calendar to be precise). Check out the web site and learn the weird and wonderful facts about our motley crew including our new additions of Reece, Ivan, Bailey & Alison.

We introduced you to new products which included the new Sliding door system from Athmer, Fire Stopping products for cavity & cladded wall systems and a range of exclusive to Norseal Air Transfer Grilles which save time and money on installation.
For services, we have developed and launched our Fire Door Inspection app which allows the full manufacture, installation & inspection/maintenance data to be held digitally by the client. A true Golden Thread of the life cycle of the door and a game changer for logging your fire door inspections regardless of your training and affiliation.

Finally for 2021 we are proud to be launching Norseal Academy. We believe education in our industry will enable the standards of product specification, services and talent to be second to none. If we can provide more specialised training to our own team and the wider associated trades for our small section of this industry, then we will have accomplished a huge goal.

I know all of you have had your own challenges for 2021 and we are all a little bit broken right now. Especially with the latest Covid shenanigans and the preposterous state of raw material prices but all the same here’s to 2022 when we go again!

Lastly not forgetting the party to top all parties, Norseal’s 20th Anniversary. A big thank you to all our customers, suppliers and supporters and not forgetting Team Norseal. You’ve been our hero’s of the last year’s and will be for years to come.

Michael