The past year embodies the old proverb that “necessity is the mother of invention.” From remote schooling and work to virtual meetings and celebrations, COVID-19’s rapid spread and continued threat forced us to create new ways to lead productive lives as safely as possible.

Even before the global pandemic, increasing direct shipment demands were changing the shipping and packaging industry. However, with the heightened growth of e-commerce directly attributed to COVID-19, the shipping industry is processing and delivering an ever-increasing volume of heavier, bulkier, and more valuable packages—including food, beverages, and electronics—directly to the doorsteps of consumers and businesses.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, small business owners have been resilient, pivoting and adapting their business models to navigate continually changing conditions.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the adhesive requirements for labels in the medical and pharmaceutical industry are diverse and demanding. With applications ranging from over-the-counter medications and nutraceuticals to blood bags and syringes, the process of matching adhesive to end use in this highly regulated industry is more involved than in almost any other segment.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has put global healthcare systems under tremendous pressure. While some of the impacts are short term, others are considered transformative.

The cover of a recent issue of Time magazine dubbed 2020 “The Worst Year Ever.” From the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global economic fallout to a tumultuous U.S. presidential election and the loss of icons like Kobe Bryant, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Alex Trebek, 2020 certainly has been a year for the books. Suffice to say, we’re all eager to turn the page to 2021.