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!