Friday, November 21, 2008

What Doesn't Kill You ...

With all that’s happening right now with the world’s economy, without a doubt, these are tough times for everyone, everywhere. The construction industry has certainly seen its share of better days, but for some businesses out there, the pinch hasn’t been quite as bad as it has been for others. Take the high-end, luxury market; it seems like the rich folks out there are still spending, buying what they want. These are some of the people most likely to add those high-end features and details to their homes … high-end features, such as decorative and art glass products. These typically come at a premium compared to the traditional, mainstream building materials. So, do decorative glass manufacturers feel the economic effects as much as others?

Not quite as much, they say, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t scared.

I talked to Ken Von Roenn, head designer and president of Architectural Glass Art Inc. in Louisville, Ky., earlier today and he shared this quote from Daniel Webster, an American statesman during the nation’s Antebellum period: “There’s always room at the top.” In other words, if the wealthy (those at the top) have money to spend then they certainly will spend it.

“We’ve built our business to focus on the higher-end market and the advantage of that [is the high end] is less susceptible to the downturn. However, that does not mean we’re not immune to the economic effects … it’s just not to the same degree [as traditional building materials]," Von Roenn told me. He said they are still getting calls everyday “but six months from now, who knows what will happen.”

BJ Katz, art designer and principal of Meltdown Glass in Chandler, Ariz., had a similar opinion, agreeing that decorative and art glass product sales will be affected but to a lesser extent than other glass products. She told me that everyone to whom she talks is feeling the pinch.

“There is a psychological component to the current situation and people are uncertain and fearful of the future. Projects are being put on hold or being value engineered and there is a lag time in building. We find our business is brisk but we’re uncertain about how business will be next year,” she told me.

Construction industry or not, it’s a difficult time for all businesses. We each just have to do what we can to get through it. I for, one, will try and focus on the good, on the positive …. I’m looking at the glass (of wine) as half full, not half empty. Go ahead and call me an optimist. I’ll take it as a compliment.

It’s been said that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. I like to think that we will all come out of this much stronger and much wiser.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 7, 2008

The Good Fight?

After nearly five, long years of heated debates and discussions filled with blood, sweat and tears … of tormented arguments and name-calling … when there seemed to be no end in sight … the end is nigh. Yes, my friends, we’re talking NFRC and its CMA. Yesterday in Jacksonville, Fla., the Ratings Committee presented a motion to the board of directors to accept the CMA Product Certification Program; and without debate, the motion carried. How far it has all come …

Over the years a handful of people representing the commercial industry have fought tirelessly to stand up for glaziers, fabricators and suppliers—those groups that will be most affected by implementation of the CMA. One of their biggest concerns throughout this process has been the lack of involvement from those within the commercial glazing sector—and it was not from lack of trying. These groups have held meetings and discussions to try and inform the commercial community about the program, but few have gotten involved.

At the NFRC’s summer meeting in Chicago I talked to one glazing contractor, Don Earnheart, vice president of system design with Trainor Glass Co. He told me he was there to try and familiarize himself and, in turn, his company with CMA so that they could be prepared if and when it is implemented. You can read more about what Earnheart had to say in the story here on USGNN.

Now, in light of the board’s most recent decision, you may be wondering, “What next?” Well, from here it’s probably going to come down to getting CMA into the codes. While the next International Code Council (ICC) cycle is three years off, individual states and jurisdictions can also choose to mandate the CMA into their own local codes. California has been calling for this for some time now, so it’s likely you’ll be seeing it there some time soon. So for now, anyone with concerns will have to defend them at code the level, be it at the local level or the ICC three years later.

Whether or not you’re in favor of CMA, people have to stand behind what they believe in. In a way, you can liken it to this week’s presidential election—any election, really. Here in the United States we as citizens are fortunate enough to be able to select who want to be the leader of our country; but you have to vote. You can’t just say, “Hey, this candidate is great, but I don’t care much for the other.” It comes down to taking the time, going to the polls (or getting that absentee ballot). It's your right. Otherwise, words without action are just words.

The same goes for whatever challenges and concerns this industry or any other industry out there is facing. If you believe in something stand up for it. It’s the best anyone can do.