I’m going to be a bit discreet with this post, simply because I don’t want to reveal too much too soon--you’ll get the big story in the January 2008 USGlass, so be on the look out or that (plus, rest assured, I’ll remind you again when the time is closer.)

Residential construction is down—that’s no secret. It’s a topic I even wrote about in my last post. But know this: not all aspects of single-family residential construction are feeling the pinch. In fact there’s one branch that can be quite lucrative.

There’s a certain sector of people out there with millions, sometimes billions, of dollars. And when you’ve got that kind of money, you can do pretty much whatever you want … even build a house or two. And when money is no object, it’s a safe assumption that these high-end homes are in a class by themselves … the ultra-high-end, you might say. And this segment has not been hurt at all, when the rest of the market has been.

Often, these folks want something truly unique, truly their own. One way they can get that is by going beyond the traditional approach to housing by adding storefront or curtainwall materials. You tend to see this when there’s something really worth seeing—amazing views, mountaintops, the ocean … anywhere in which the homeowner has a stellar view. What better way to view it than big, big glass?

While due to confidentiality agreements I can’t reveal some of the big-time names that are building some of these houses, but I’m telling you, you’ve heard of them, or at least the companies and organizations they represent. They can put glazing systems in their homes in a way most of us probably can’t. And, yes, it’s a cool concept, but it’s certainly not for everyone. Plus, depending on the neighborhood in which you live, straying from the style and look of the other houses might even cause an uproar within the community. Just something to keep in mind …

On another note, I was catching up on my own industry blog reading yesterday and saw that Max Perilstein was thankful that Michigan lets Ohio State win each year. As a follow up to that, I am thankful that Ohio State let UNC win last Wednesday night—and in Columbus, too! Regardless of where I live, the Tarheels will always be number-one with me.

Let’s talk houses … better yet, let’s just say residences. On almost every street I drive, I see multiple houses for sale, and some have been on the market for more than a year. Watch just about any HGTV series (Sell This House; Buy Me!; Designed to Sell) and they’ll tell you, no house should be for sale for that long.

You also know, I am sure, that things aren’t getting better. According to the most recent (November 19) National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, builders have yet to see any significant change in the housing market.

But on a slightly better note, the NAHB also reported on November 20 that a “bounce-back” in multifamily housing helped bring total housing starts up 3.0 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.229 million units. That sounds like pretty good news for the glass industry, since condos typically have a lot of windows and glass.

Still, housing starts are below what they were a year ago. But what can you do? Some window companies, traditionally supplying the residential market, have begun to take on more work in the commercial realm. The same is true for some glass suppliers that have typically supplied the residential market; now they are selling more to the commercial side. Other businesses, such as shower door businesses, stay busy with remodeling projects. Be creative and you can pretty much always stay busy.

Some companies may even choose to diversify and take on a new business venture during slower periods. For some, diversification may even lead to a new business department, even after your regular market returns. Let’s think outside the box. Tell us about some of your diversification ideas or how you stay busy during slow business periods.

Resolutions

It's hard to believe it, but we are already half way through the month of November, which means 2008 is just around the corner. Another year come and gone, another year older, wiser ... Maybe you're starting to think about resolutions. Maybe you want to lose weight or stop smoking. Maybe you want to spend more time at home or maybe do more for the community. But what about workplace resolutions?

What if a business or organization (including all those glass companies out there) made a company-wide resolution? For example, maybe a company would make a resolution to receive 10 percent fewer complaints or customer problems--broken shipments, late deliveries, poor customer service--than it did in 2007. Sounds nice, right? Happier customers is always a good thing. But, just like with a resolution to lose weight, you can't just say you're going to do it; you have to make a conscious effort to do so--and then stop eating so much and start exercising more.

The same goes for a business wanting to improve customer service, and each and every employee is a part of that. The production team, the shipping department, customer service ... everyone ... it's more than just the sales person (though that group is important, too).

If you're already top-notch in customers satisfaction, maybe think about a resolution to be a greener business. Use less paper, recycle more, turn off lights when you're not using a room, even better, consider replacing bulbs with CFLs (but still turn the lights off when you leave the room). Aside from its color, glass can be such a green product. Why don't we all do our part to make the companies green too?

My week in Phoenix...

I was in Phoenix this week for the NFRC's fall meeting. While the group has hosted some heated debates in years past, this most recent meeting was relatively tame. Where was the hot and heavy controversy? I asked a couple of attendees. They seemed to agree, most folks are just so tired of CMA (component modeling approach) discussions, they just want to get it done. There are still a number of re-ballots on the issue going out again for the spring meeting in March and maybe the group is closer to getting something finalized ... maybe. Be sure and check out http://www.usgnn.com/ for daily updates from the meeting, as well as the December issue of USGlass. which will also provide a meeting re-cap.

Yes, the NFRC meeting was the main reason I headed to Phoenix this past week, but I also took a moment to check out some glazing applications around the area. First off, there was lost of commercial construction on the rise and lots of reflective glazing ... appropriate, I'd say, for Phoenix temperatures (highs were in the 90s this week!).

I also paid a visit to Meltdown Glass (http://www.meltdownglass.com/), a manufacturer of decorative glass. This company makes some amazing works of art from glass for the architectural market. Check out these pictures: the top picture shows a few snazzy samples; the other picture shows dichroic glazing, though it's hard to tell as the project is not yet completed. Look closely, though, and you can see the iridescence. I am awe struck when I see glass like that. What do you think of decorative glass as a trend in architectural design and construction?

As always, we welcome your comments and feedback.

Question: How important (and answer to yourself truthfully) are your employees--all those people who do so much to keep businesses viable? They are all very important, right? Without good employees, many people have told me, their companies would be next to nothing. It's tough, no matter how much you want to do yourself, to do it all alone.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about meeting with Bill Cobb from Coastal Industries. After running Coastal for 35 years, Cobb says without the employees--some who have even been there since the beginning, the company would not be as strong as it is today.

This week I talked with Jack Deyo from Mid-Ohio Tempering (read the interview from Oct. 31 online at www.usgnn.com.) Jack has announced he will be retiring this year and he, too, emphasized how important all of his employees are.

Over my almost eight years working for USGlass I have talked with a lot business owners and managers, and many agree: people are their companies' greatest assets.

So here's what I'd like: I want to hear about some of those great people in your companies. Tell me about some of the employees who take their jobs one step further; who do more than they have to without complaining. Maybe you've got a receptionist who is always pleasant to people calling in, a customer service rep who is helpful and polite to everyone (even the angry customers) or maybe it's someone who puts extra care and attention to detail into every single project. These people are just as important to the whole glass industry as they are to you, because we can all learn something from them in one way or another.