Off The Press, On My Mind

Color Splash

2009-02-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

If there’s any place in this great, big world that’s fit for glass, that place has got to be Las Vegas. And last week in my Vegas hotel room window at The Palms (I was there for Glass Week) I could see some distinctive displays of glazing--the purple, red and blue Rio, the glittery gold Trump Tower and the Bronze Wynn and Encore. I’m sure many of you are with me when I say, what would Vegas be without glass?

I still get a kick out of walking the strip and looking at all the casinos. The exterior is one thing, but when you step inside some of the casinos, that’s when you can see decorative glass at it’s best.

From walls and floors and stairways, to shimmery mirrors … patterns, colors, textures … it’s all there. With all this glass, I’m sure many members of GANA (especially the decorative group) were feeling right at home last week.

The Palms was no disappointment when it came to decorative glass. From the cracked glass displays in the elevators, the colorful light fixtures, the Rojo lounge located in the nearby Palms Place, even a colorfully lit casino display, there was a lot to take in.

While I could not get pictures of every piece of glass, and some did not turn out as well as I’d hoped (those casinos are so dark, you know), I do have a couple here I’d like to share: the light fixture, the Rojo Lounge and the lit display.

And speaking of sharing, here’s something else I’d like to share—the link to our new website: www.decorativeglassmag.com. Check it out whenever you get a chance. We launched it on Monday this week and it’s gotten a really great response. You’ll want to check back often, as the site will be updated regularly with news, articles, blogs and much more. You can also sign up for an e-newsletter that we will be starting in the next few weeks.

Bundle Up

2009-02-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening there was a knock on the front door. When I opened the door (to a brisk 12 degrees), there stood a fellow, all bundled up in a heavy coat, scarf, hat, the works.

"Hello, I’m the new area rep for Time Warner. I see you use our Internet services. May I ask what you do for phone and TV?”

This fellow, we’ll just call him Frank, stood there in these below freezing temps trying to sell me on bundling phone, Internet and cable. And the funny thing is, we were just looking into doing that a week or so ago, but had yet to make a final decision. For that original package we talked to a rep, probably sitting somewhere in a heated office, who offered us a bundled price of something like $130 a month. Yet standing there in the cold, Frank was prepared to offer us the same deal for $90 a month.

“And if there is something you have with your satellite that you really want to keep let me know what it is and I will see what I can do to include that for you, too,” he told me.

And while I didn’t sign anything yesterday, I must tell you, that yes, it’s something we’re considering. What’s the hang up? I just really like the Sirius radio that comes with the satellite. Aside from that … we’ll see.

So with all this in mind, I ask you: Is this the direction we are headed? Door-to-door sales in below-freezing weather? Are you prepared to bundle up your best offers, slash prices and take your wares door to door? Architect to architect? Builder to builder?

OK, OK, I know bundling is nothing new and many glass industry companies have offered a bundled package for years. But let me ask you this: how are your selling packages changing in light of the economy and slow construction markets? Why not take a minute or two and tell me about some things your business is doing differently now compared to a few years ago.

Game Day

2009-01-30T09:28:00.000-08:00

For many people, Super Bowl Sunday is almost as fun and exciting as Christmas morning. But for me, while I enjoy a good Super Bowl party just as much as the next person, I’ll be truthful: it’s really just a social event for me. I’m more interested in chit-chatting and mingling than I am in whose got the ball at the whatever yard line.

So, I may not have strong feelings over who wins or loses on Sunday, but if I had to pick (and just for Ren Bartoe) I’d say “Go Steelers!”

And then another reason I have to pick the Steelers is because I was lucky enough to meet Rocky Bleier two years ago at a GANA meeting. I even had the opportunity to wear all four of his Super Bowl rings at once. It’s one of those experiences that I always tell people about, because how often do most of us get the chance to wear even one Super Bowl ring?

But back to Sunday's game ... I know for some people out there this year’s Super Bowl will certainly be one to remember. That’s the case, I’m sure, for Tampa-based Rue Decatur Glassworks. This company has the license to produce a commemorative display—and it’s being made from glass.

The company is creating a sandblasted glass display in honor of the game. You can read more about it here.

This is just another example of how decorative glass is popping up everywhere—even at the Super Bowl. I wonder if this means we’ll start seeing these glass displays showing up for all the major sporting events. What a great decorative glass opportunity that could be.

The Big Apple

2009-01-16T10:25:00.000-08:00

It seems like decorative glass projects are just showing up everywhere these days. One of the most interesting ones I’ve read about lately is the new TKTS booth in Times Square. Not only does it have a cool, red glass bleacher-style staircase (check out the aerial shot on the right), it is completely made of glass--glass beams, glass walls, glass stair treads, a cantilevered canopy and glass balustrades. As if I needed a reason to visit New York …

Probably the most significant feature of the TKTS booth is that glass staircase that encases the booth. The amphitheatre-style staircase is 27 steps high and has seating room for more than 500 people. The slip-resistant glass steps were fabricated by Austria’s ECKELT Glass, a subsidiary of Saint Gobain, and they are also lit from below with LED technology.

This is one project that has completely grabbed my attention. Contract glazier David Shuldiner did the installation, but they were not the company originally selected; the Scottish firm Harans Glass was. It was when Harans went out of business that the job went to Shuldiner.

And on another note, Shuldiner is now involved with the glazing that’s being installed within the new Yankees Stadium. Yet another cool New York project. Arch Deco Glass supplied some of the interior glass that’s being used there.

But New York is not the only city where you can find interesting decorative glass projects; they are all over—you just have to look for them. If you’ve got one you’d like to share, I’d love to hear about it so be sure and send pictures my way.

Decorative Diversification?

2008-12-12T12:33:00.000-08:00

With such a huge interest and demand for decorative glass products in the architectural and design communities, it would not be surprising to see more and more players start to emerge within the supplier realm. I can see this being somewhat of a double-edged sword. It’s good because we’re likely to see the demand increase and we’ll need more companies that can meet those needs. But on the other hand, it might not be so good if these start-ups don’t completely plan out their decorative glass strategy.

Like with any new business, there’s got to be a plan in place. How are you going to get your new product into the hands of your target customers? What do you need to know about this business? I asked Scott Surma from DecoTherm what advice he would give a company thinking about venturing into the decorative market. He shared some key points to think about.

For starters, the route you follow to get the product to market. You must understand who the customers/stake holders are and how they can best be reached.

Next, is strategic fit. “Diversifying just for the ‘sake of diversifying’ is dangerous and can quickly make the entire business sick if not properly planned and rolled-out,” Scott told me.

Next up, is it a tactical fit? In other words, do you have the customer service capabilities for the new business? “Decorative glass requires more hand-holding, custom sampling, etc. compared to standard/commodity products,” Scott said.

And don’t forget the importance of the right production environment and mindset. “Decorative glass is more of a ‘job shop’ mindset rather than a high-volume commodity production line operation,” Scott added.

Don’t get me wrong. Decorative glass products are exciting … they are vibrant, colorful and energetic. I can see why companies would want to get involved. But like with anything else, it’s good to make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting into. I’m sure we’ve all found some hobby or two we just knew we’d love—be it rollerblading, snowboarding or tap dancing. We go out and spend tons of money on equipment and supplies and then we end up using the rollerblades, snowboard or tap shoes once or twice. We lose interest, realize maybe it really wasn’t what we wanted to do, or just get too busy with everything else. And then what? The rollerblades, snowboard and tap shoes are all gathering dust in the garage.

OK, maybe that comparison is not to the same extreme as starting up a decorative business, but you get my drift. What do you think of all this? As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the decorative glass business and where you see it going.

And you know, I’m actually starting to feel a bit inspired … and it’s snowing … wonder if that old snowboard is still out in the garage …

What If?

2008-12-05T12:25:00.000-08:00

You don’t have to look too far to see what this miserable economy is doing to the construction market, both residential and commercial. Just this week alone USGNN.com™ ran a story about how Traco is selling off its vinyl window division; how PPG is exiting the IG sealants business; and today Republic Windows & Doors shut its doors costing about 300 employees their jobs. These times are rough, my friends.

As I write this “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from Monty Python’s Life of Brian is ringing in my ears. But that silver lining I’m always trying to find is just looking a little tarnished.
I have talked to a few people of late who say that while yes things are bleak, it can also be a good time to focus on the direction they want the company to go. For some, right now is turning out to be a good time to focus on differentiating. Every company out there these days is fighting for the same little bits of business that are available. And one of the best ways to ensure those buyers are going to pick you and your business over the competition is if you can offer up something nobody else can—and that’s most likely going to be different for every company.

A down market can also be a good time to think about starting a new business. Here’s an interesting story I read online that lists the top 5 businesses to start in a down economy. I think the key is to take what you already know—what you already do well—and apply it to something different.

Some of you may be familiar with Jeff Tobe. He’s been a presenter at a number of industry association meetings and he’s sometimes called the “Coloring Outside the Lines” guy as he wrote a book by that name that shares thoughts on being creative when its comes to certain business tactics.

At any rate, he often talks about the power of two little words: What if? If you get a bunch of people together and start asking, “what if we did this?” or “what if we did that?” You’re eventually going to come up with a lot of really good ideas. And some of those good ideas what be just what you need.

What Doesn't Kill You ...

2008-11-21T10:06:00.000-08:00

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!

The Good Fight?

2008-11-07T11:19:00.000-08:00

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.

My Favorite Things

2008-10-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

As quickly as glasstec 2008 arrived, it’s now over. Last Monday I stood there in Hall 13 at the Messe helping our team prepare for the event and now, a week later, I’ve returned. Where did the week go? Time sure does fly.

If you’ve never been to glasstec it might be difficult to fully grasp all that the event entails. And, if you’ve only been to U.S. trade shows, the comparison is very, very different. Think about this:

At glasstec an exhibitor’s booth is not just a booth; it’s a café, a bar, a lounge … a place to sit, relax and talk to customers, peers and friends from the show.

At glasstec, the show floor is not just a show floor; it’s your exercise program for the week. Attendees often trudge from hall to hall (785, 700 square feet) lugging around bags filled with brochures and company literature. No time to exercise? No problem. Just walk from Hall 9 to Hall 17 a time or two.

At glasstec, you don’t have to ask people where they will be going out that evening because you know most everyone typically ends up in the Altstadt (the Old Town)—an area where, if everyone doesn’t already know your name, they most likely will before the night … err… morning is done.

So those are just a few general points about glasstec. I also thought I’d share with you a few of my very own favorite things about glasstec 2008. So to start (and in no particular order) …

Hall 9. Here is where the beauty of art glass can be found. Craftspeople are creating and sculpting beautifully, delicate creations. There is even an artist’s gallery showcasing sculptures, vases, and many other pieces—even glass shoes and purses!

Glass Technology Live. There really is nothing else like this display as it’s a section where you can see glass in ways you’ve never seen it before. This year the highlight was a glass bridge that people could actually walk across.

Familiar Faces. Don’t get me wrong. I love to meet new people, but there is just something about being thousands of miles away from home and running into someone you have not seen or talked to in months, maybe even years. For those of us in the glass industry, that happens a lot at glasstec. Such a small world …

Coffee. Don’t laugh, but without a good dose of caffeine each morning it’s near impossible to get through the long day to follow. This year I found some really good coffee over in the Vesuvius booth. In fact, it was the second to last day of the show and after two cups, it was like the week was just beginning.

Skechers. If you’re wondering what Skechers are, they are comfortably stylish shoes that have been my saving grace when it comes to walking the show floor. I really do not know how I ever survived before.

OK, so like I said, that was my personal list and I’m sure everyone else who was there has a list of favorite things, too. Let’s hear yours, too and share your favorite glasstec things by posting a comment.

Where Glass is Avant Garde

2008-10-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

I had to laugh earlier this week when I read Megan Headley’s blog in which she referenced that very first glasstec article I wrote. That was such a fun one to write and though it was six years ago I still see people every time I’m at glasstec who remember it and mention it. glasstec, like that article, is a truly unique experience and everyone always leaves looking forward to the next one.

This glasstec will be my fourth one and I know that I’ve learned a lot every time I’ve been there. For starters, while the show is primarily a machinery and equipment event, I know that halls 9, 10 and 11 will have the biggest display of glass itself. Everything from sculptures to artwork to architectural panels and flooring will be there. And yes, I know, there is also a stand or two tucked into the mix with a great display of beautiful glass jewelry and anyone who knows me knows that’s one of my weaknesses. However, I promise to not let it distract me from the real reason I’m at the show.

It’s pretty much a given that architectural trends start in Europe and make their way here. Europe is far ahead of North America when it comes to energy efficiency and solar, for instance (which, by the way, is the theme of this year’s event and I know that Megan will have lot s to report back to you all on that). It's the same with decorative glass, which has European roots and is now making a strong emergence in North America.

Take acid-etched glass. It was first used in Europe and has only in the past few years started to make a strong emergence here. So that’s a product that’s definitely tops on my list of “must sees” while I’m there.

Another product that always amazes me—another we’re starting to see more of here—is bent and curved glass. Some of the stands of bent and curved glass manufacturers are so … avant garde. Companies are doing some really, really exciting stuff and I’m eager to see what’s going to surface this year.

Yes, glasstec is a long, exhausting show. It runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for five days and spans nine halls. But I gotta tell you, it’s totally, completely worth it … but don’t even think about it walking it in uncomfortable shoes.

A City for Decorative Glass

2008-10-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas is a city like no other, and right now, with the City Center project (http://www.citycenter.com/) being constructed and set to open late 2009, there’s a lot of glass going up around the world-famous Strip. But even before City Center, all the glitz and glam of Las Vegas has always made it a great place for glass. And now more and more eye-catching decorative glass products are showing up everywhere.

I, like a lot of other glass-industry people, spent much of this past week in Las Vegas for the recent GlassBuild trade show. If you’ve been reading http://www.usgnn.com/ this week you know the show was a bit smaller than last year’s, however the decorative glass presence was strong.

So what were the biggest trends? Not surprisingly, color is big on the list. Everyone, from designers to homeowners, is looking for ways to make their surroundings one-of-a-kind, and a colorful glass counter top, for example, isn’t something every homeowner in Anytown USA is going to do.

Patterns and textures are also popular. From shower doors to conference room walls, these products allow for the use of glass, but still create obscurity and privacy. Using these glass products in interior applications, such as walls and room dividers, also allows in natural light, which would not be possible with concrete and wood.

Another hot look in glass is digital printing. A number of technologies were on display this past week that showed how companies can print either directly onto the glass or interlayer materials. Digital printing really makes it possible to put ... well ... anything on glass.

Check out some of these pictures from the show that highlight just some of the innovative technologies that are available.

From top left to bottom right,

Dependable GlassWorks laminated marbles into glass to create this counter top. If you look closely at the circles on the side panel, you can see the glass is designed so the circles appear almost 3-D; like they are jumping off the glass.

How would you like to have a cast glass door like this for your shower? This was displayed by Cardinal Shower Enclosures, which does its own glass fabrication.

Interlayer Solutions Inc. offers a technology that allows users to print images onto EVA to be laminated into glass.

The newest launch from Goldray was magnetic marker board. It's just another example of how the possibilities for glass are endless.

Something to Print On

2008-09-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

When it comes to decorative glass, it seems like there’s always something new to amaze me. Take, for example, a glass installation project recently completed at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Wash. You see, there’s more to it than just a great display of glass artwork; it’s actually glass artwork about glass artists.

Moon Shadow Etchers located in Sandy, Ore., produced twenty-one art theme walls for the Hotel Murano and each of the hotel’s floors is dedicated to one internationally recognized glass artist. These glass walls tell the story of each artist, their inspirations and creative processes. Interior design firm Corso Staicoff of Portland, Ore., came up with the concept and Moon Shadow Etchers worked with environmental graphic designers Ditroen Inc., also of Portland, to create the panels. The process they employed? Sandblasting photographs onto glass … check out the project and read more here: http://www.moonshadowetchers.com/murano.htm.

I was talking to Tim Frasier, founder of Moon Shadow Etchers, and he told me that they started work creating the glass panels around this time last year and they worked on it until the end of February this year. It was pretty much Tim and one other person creating the glass, working12-hour days, just about seven days a week, and only taking time off for Christmas.

To me, part of what’s so appealing about this project is that a company that makes artistic glass creations, created artwork that recognized some of the world’s most well-known glass artists, think Dante Marioni (http://www.dantemarioni.com/).

Of course, it also ties into a big trend right now in glass—imagery in glass. You can ink jet right onto glass, silkscreen glass, print on interlayers for laminating glass … all of this really shows it’s a very exciting time to be working with glass.

Mirror Musings

2008-09-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

The Glass Association of North America’s Mirror Division meeting during last week’s Fall Conference got me thinking about the state of the North American mirror industry. It’s no secret that the North American mirror industry has seen better days. After all, so much production of the mass-produced consumer products has moved offshore. Is there any hope that it will ever return to North America? It’s not all that likely. As Lee Harrison, president of Walker Glass told me during an interview, “I wouldn’t hold my breath for it to come back.”

So what happened to the mirror industry here in North America? I went back to an article I wrote nearly eight years ago for USGlass, which talked about the state of the industry then. Let’s take a quick look back …

One struggle that John Matthews, then vice president of industrial products for Carolina Mirror (now part of Gardner Glass Products) in North Wilkesboro, N.C., talked about was the fact that primary glass manufacturers—suppliers for mirror makers—had started making mirror, too, and that lead to over-capacity.

Another deterrent, and probably the most significant, is increased competition from international producers who could turn out product faster and cheaper. As Drew Mayberry, president and CEO of Lenoir Mirror told me:
“Imported mirror and glass from countries such as China are affecting mirror manufacturers [in the United States] in two ways, neither of which is positive. First, mirror and glass parts are being installed in furniture that is being manufactured in [Asia], then packaged and shipped to the United States. Secondly, mirrors produced in China are being shipped to warehouses on the West Coast, then cut and fabricated for those markets. Both activities diminish the market available in the United States."

Producers also told me about the need for development and innovation. And today we’ve seen companies like Walker Glass and Gardner Glass Products do just that—innovate by finding ways to bring new products to the market place to stay competitive.

In last week’s mirror meeting, in fact, Tommy Husky with Gardner said at his company they don’t even consider themselves to be just a mirror company, but rather a specialty glass company. A number of mirror companies have developed new products products and are staying busy serving the architectural and design community’s decorative and specialty glass needs.

Another potential focus area mirror members talked about last week is using mirror for solar applications—another timely and significantly developing market. I know several times a week I read articles online that talk about photovoltaics and solar applications.

Maybe mass-produced consumer mirror production is gone for good. But there are still lots of opportunities for mirror producers; you just have to go out and find them.

Texas-Sized Glass Applications

2008-09-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

Next week the Glass Association of North America’s (GANA) Fall Conference will take place in Dallas. In addition to the technical meetings, the conference will include a number of presentations on timely industry topics (Click Here for the full schedule: http://www.glasswebsite.com/events/fallconference/default.asp). While the meeting days are long, there’s a lot to see and do in Dallas—and a good bit of glass at that.

For one, the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center boasts an impressive display of overhead glazing. Naturalite manufactured and installed the skylight, which was featured on the July 2004 cover of USGlass magazine. Memphis, Tenn.-based Knedak Bobo Group served as the project architect. Gaylord Hotels wanted the resort to feature a signature glass dome, similar to the one found in the Opryland Hotel (also manufactured by Naturalite). For the job the company created a custom BMS 3000 skylight for the atrium that features a large, gold star at the top of the cupola skylight, centered in the main atrium skylight. More than 140,000 square feet of skylights was used for the total project. Typical slope glazing used ½-inch laminated glass, while vertical glazing used 1-inch insulating glass.

And if you’re more of a football fan you might be interested in the construction of the new stadium for the Dallas Cowboys (http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/), which has a projected completion date of June 2009. Dallas-based contract glazier Haley-Greer is doing the glass installation. When I talked to Letitia Barker, the company’s president, earlier this year, she was very excited about the project.

“The stadium will have one of the largest inverted-slope glazed curtainwalls in the world, and the end-zone doors are going to be the largest operable glass doors ever produced.”

Here are some other glazing details from the stadium’s design statement:

“The sweeping canted, 800-foot glass walls span the entire length of the stadium ... In contrast, the concave forms at the end zones, which serve as monumental entry areas, receive fans experiencing the building through 120-foot high and 180-foot wide retractable glass doors …the retractable roof panels travel over 400 feet along the length of the arches to rest in the open position. Simultaneously, the glass end zone walls open on each end of the stadium to transform the experience of the indoor stadium to that of an outdoor venue … Colors for the static elements of the stadium – concrete, glass, and steel – reflect the color of the materials used … clear application glass is used in order to enhance one’s understanding of the structure. The canted glass sideline walls are clear and incorporate a high tech white ceramic frit that allows a luminescent quality during both day and night.”

Whether or not you’re a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, the new stadium is going to offer tremendous glazing displays. You can see more of the stadium in the video below.

Hot Glass, Cold Glas, All Glass

2008-08-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to interview Ken Saunders, a co-owner of the Marx-Saunders Gallery (www.marxsaunders.com) in Chicago—a gallery that is dedicated to glass art and only works with a couple dozen or so artists. While the gallery’s artwork isn’t cheap (sometimes $40,000), Ken told me the great thing about glass is that it really is available at any price point.

“There are wonderful, marvelous pieces available at any price,” he said.

One thing I found particularly interesting was the fact that a number of the gallery’s pieces are on loan to the Glass Experience exhibition at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. I asked Ken about this and he said:

“Because we are an artist’s gallery and because we are very intensely associated with the couple dozen artists we represent, it is a part of our mission to seek out these opportunities for greater exposure. So we are often involved with museums, and museums know we are available to assist them with loans and other support to make exhibitions possible.”

If you get the chance to visit the exhibition (which I wrote about a few weeks ago; scroll down to read if you missed it) you can see works from some of the most renowned artists including Lino Tagliapietra (http://www.linotagliapietra.com/) and Jon Kuhn (www.kuhnstudio.com). Both artisans have worked with Marx-Saunders and both create astonishing works. However, the way by which they each approach glass is different. Tagliapietra is a hot-glass (blown glass) artist while Kuhn works with cold glass. Kuhn says his work involves grinding, polishing and laminating repeatedly.

Back to my interview with Ken Saunders … we also talked about how a number of artists who start out creating works for galleries often make the transition to large-scale and/or architectural work. BJ Katz from Meltdown Glass (www.meltdownglass.com) is an example of such an artist. You can read more about her in the Decorative Glass section of the August 2008 USGlass (http://www.usglass-digital.com/usglass/200808/?u1=texterity).

One of the reasons more artists are going the architectural route, Ken told me, is because they’ve found ways to create larger and larger glass art pieces.

“Once they were able to figure that out and began casting humongous objects then there was the ability for the architects to really draw some inspiration and work with some of these artists,” Ken said.

Considering the fact that architects are challenging the primaries and flat glass fabricators to create larger pieces of glass it’s no surprise, really, that the decorative side of glass is getting larger. Going forward, it will be exciting to see what other trends make the crossover.

But Wait! There's More

2008-08-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

If you’re like me, by Friday you’re really ready for the weekend. After a long workweek it’s so nice to have a couple of days free to relax. Tomorrow I’ll be heading down to Winston-Salem, N.C. to meet my parents for the weekend. For me, Winston-Salem is slightly more than half way to where my parents live and slightly less for them, taking us around 5 hours to drive there and 2+ for my family. While it may seem as though I drew the short straw ending up with the longer drive, I don’t mind, as it will still make a nice weekend getaway.

This will be an exciting visit for many reasons, one reason in particular is that I plan to bring my parents a copy of the August USGlass, which features the premiere of our new Decorative Glass (DG) magazine. Have you seen it yet? You can read it online by clicking here: http://www.usglass-digital.com/usglass/200808/?u1=texterity.

The reactions I’ve heard so far have been tremendous. People are excited about this new venture and the opportunities it holds. And, as great as this launch, there’s still more in the works.

We’re also putting together a special stand-alone edition of our premiere issue of DG! It will include more articles, products and information and will be distributed at the October show in Las Vegas. And I ask you, is that not a great place for decorative glass?

There’s so much developing in the world of decorative glass and I am eager to talk more about it. That’s why I’m excited about the Glass Association of North America’s Fall Conference next month in Dallas. The decorative division will be meeting at that time and I’m sure there will be tons to talk about, write about and, yes, even blog about. Are you in the decorative glass loop? If so, I’m looking forward to talking with you in September. See you there!

Eight is Enough

2008-08-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

Today is Friday, August 8, 2008 –08-08-08. Are you feeling lucky? The Chinese consider the number 8 lucky and I’m sure many athletes are hoping the number will bring them luck, too, as today hosts the opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympic Games.

Being an Olympic athletic is something many people, including yours truly, at some point have dreamed off. As a kid I so wanted to be an Olympic gymnast; but that dream of mine was just that—a dream—and it’s only for a few people that such a dream comes true. Bear with me as I’m about to stray away from glass, but I’ll make my way back in the end …

The other night I was watching Project Runway (if you’re not familiar, think American Idol for fashion designers) and the contestants were given the challenge to design a uniform for women Olympians to be worn during the opening ceremonies (if you’re interested in knowing, this year’s uniforms were actually designed by Ralph Lauren. Just something to think about as you watch the ceremonies tonight).

Getting to the point … one of the designers created this shiny blue cocktail dress with red trim, which the judges criticized for not being very representative of the Olympics; the contestant said everything else he came up with reminded him of Wonder Woman. To which Michael Kors, one of the show’s judges and a famous designer responded (I’m paraphrasing), “The closest thing to a super hero this country has is an Olympic athlete!” And I just could not have agreed more.

Olympians strive to be the best at what they do—running, gymnastics, swimming, diving—and then they are given the honor to represent their countries at these games. This opportunity allows them to truly show their hard work, dedication and determination.

This year the games are in Beijing, a city that has recently seen major construction activity, upgrades and renovations in preparation for the swarms of people there this month. You can read more about some of the construction projects on www.usgnn.com today. Here’s a couple others that also showcase great glass displays.

The Water Cube is the Olympic Aquatics Center. It’s covered with translucent blue panels to provide an under-water feeling.

There’s also the new terminal at the Beijing Capital Airport (http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-02-26-2733226559_x.htm), which features a huge display of glass and steel.

I am excited to see what other new construction works will unfold for future Olympics; I know for a fact there will be some pretty top-notch jobs showing up in Vancouver for 2010.

A Picture Says 1,000 Words

2008-08-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was lucky enough to visit the Glass Experience at Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry. While it was a really great exhibition and very informative, it was still difficult for me to not provide informative lectures about all the glass displays to the other visitors. So instead, I thought I would share some pictures from my visit with you here.

Pilkington Place: Pilkington’s 20 by 16 foot Wall of Glass features many different types of the company’s glass, including these decorative patterns and textures shown in the top picture below. In addition, there’s also a display of its Profilit U-channel glass (second pic), Planar Structural Glazing System (third pic) and specialty low-E glass.

Recycled and Re-Used Glass: Most everyone these days is searching for ways to re-use everything from furniture to, yes, glass. This picture shows different uses of recycled glass content. Rather decorative, don't you think?

Chihuly's Corner: As soon as I win the lottery I am going to buy myself a Dale Chihuly sculpture. Everything he does is simply incredible. I loved that the exhibition showed several concept drawings of some of the display pieces. It was hard to not be simply awe-struck at the beautiful colors of the Macchia forest. I looked at these structures and then watched the short video on how they are made and all I could think was "My goodness--that's glass?!" Oh ... did I mention it's also a great decorative element?

So there you have it -- a look at the Glass Experience on display in Chicago until September 1. It's definitly worth a visit. Did I mention the decorative displays? Especially exciting given the soon-to-debut Decorative Glass magazine will launch as part of the August USGlass --don't miss it!

Hello Chicago!

2008-07-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend I am heading for Chicago as next week I’ll be covering the NFRC’s summer meeting (more about that next week). For now I’m just looking forward to visiting Chicago as it really is one of my favorite cities. To me you can walk through downtown and still feel like you’re in a small town and not a big city. And aside from the fact that the architecture is incredible (with lots of glass, too, I might add), currently there’s another great glass display in the city at the Museum of Science and Industry, and yes, I am going to visit it.

The Glass Experience (http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/the-glass-experience/) as it’s titled, is an exhibition that’s showing until September 1. The website describes the exhibition as exploring “how glass has shattered the paradigms of our world’s civilization.” It includes a look at everything from the works of Chihuly, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Frank Lloyd Wright (as in decorative glass) to safety and security products to future technologies. On a side note can anyone find the oops on this page: http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/the-glass-experience/the-exhibit/industrious-and-inventive/? Looks like whoever wrote the text up here should have done just a bit more research, don’t you think?

I have no doubt that visiting the Glass Experience will be a tremendous … experience. As you know I also love an opportunity to learn more about glass and I love to see how others outside our little industry are embracing this technology. Talking specifically about the growth of the decorative glass market, someone said to me earlier this week, “Wow, people are finally taking serious notice of decorative glass!”

And they really are … even the people who don’t even know what decorative glass is … they see how it can differentiate and bring something special to that application. I am excited about where this is going and I am sure you are, too.

2009 … It’s Already Here

2008-07-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

The year 2009 may still be a few months away, but when it comes to glass 2009 is already at HGTV. Sounds a little vague, right? I’ll explain.

Earlier this week I turned on HGTV to catch the very end of one of those extreme home shows. Being that it was right there at the end, I don’t have the details about the house (I’m working on it though … got a call in to HGTV and everything), but it was pretty amazing. One side of the house was a glass wall—nothing we’ve never seen before, right? But you press a switch and the wall folds down and actually becomes a patio. I have never seen anything like it … can you imagine? It was like a glass drawbridge. Talk about extreme living. I wish I could share more at this moment, but sadly, nothing has yet turned up. I’ll keep digging and hopefully I’ll soon know more.

So then I decided to find out what else glass-related is happening at HGTV, so I visited the website and searched for “glass.” And that brings us to 2,009—2,009 references to glass at www.hgtv.com. OK, yes, some of them are not really architectural-related (anyone out there in need of a glass cupcake ring?). But a good portion of those links certainly were relevant, offering a ton of information, from using glass tiles in kitchen back splashes to snazzy glass shower enclosures, even how-to projects (324 to be exact). There is even a link that will walk you through the process of creating an etched glass illuminated seahorse. Who knew HGTV was such a glass resource?

Glass in the house is definitely in growing demand. Whether it’s for energy efficiency, aesthetics or a combination, we’re seeing glass being used in unique ways. The premier of Decorative Glass magazine is just around the corner and everyone I’ve talked with is excited about this launch. So many people out there –architects, designers, installers—they all want to know more about decorative glass as it’s definitely the it thing. Don’t you agree?

Look Around; It's Everywhere

2008-07-11T05:09:00.000-07:00

Who’s not familiar with the old saying, “When it rains it pours”? For the past few weeks that old saying has been truer than ever for me. Why? You ask. It’s this amazing little product called decorative glass.

Next month you will be able to read more about the subject as USGlass magazine will be launching a brand new publication: Decorative Glass (DG) magazine. So lately I’ve been spending a lot of time doing research into the market, talking to people about their experiences and gathering ideas, artwork, and so forth. The crazy thing, though, is how little effort it required, because as soon as I talked to one person he/she gave me another source for a different focus area; then that source gave me another and so on and so on. I have never found research as easy as this; everyone wants to talk about decorative glass. And why not? It is the next big thing and it is here to stay.

That’s why I am really looking forward to the opportunities this new publication is going to bring. By now many people are well aware of the significant role and position in which decorative glass is finding itself within the architectural market. It’s a product that architects like because it allows them to offer their projects something that’s truly unique.

Walk into a mall, a store, office building, even a church or a synagogue and you’re likely to see it being used. As anyone who’s been reading this blog for awhile knows, I pretty much notice glass everywhere, all the time. This past week, for example, I went to the supermarket. Now, this particular market has a little restaurant inside, which has its own little “storefront” we’ll call it. This week as I walked past it, something was different. There was a huge, sandblasted design on the glass.

“There is no way that that has always been there,” I said to myself as I examined the glass and its details (you knew I had to, right?). It took me a moment to figure it out, but the reason I’d never noticed it before is because it’s usually blocked by a giant display stand or sales table.

But why do that? Why spend extra money to make the glass look extra nice if you’re just going to cover it up? After all, aesthetics is one of the main reasons for using a decorative glass product—any type of decorative glass. And we all know that some of those techniques are much more expensive than sandblasted glass. You spent the money, so don’t hide it!

There is so much to this growing product segment, and that’s why we’re launching the new magazine. And we need your input. What are your thoughts on decorative glass, new products, trends and techniques? Where do you see it going and what would you like to see happen? Right now is such an amazing time for decorative glass. The market is just starting to take off and there is no telling how huge it will be; but huge, it definitely will be.

Decorative Displays

2008-06-13T11:57:00.001-07:00

There’s no doubt that decorative architectural glass is a hot item with architects and designers, especially when it comes to interiors. It seems like when people think about glass the first thing that comes to mind is a window, but in reality, the possibilities are endless.

With that said, a good crowd of folks headed to Chicago earlier this week to search out the latest interior design innovations—including glass—at NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair. More than 1,200 showrooms and exhibitors offered the latest and greatest for all types of interiors: corporate hospitality, health care, retail, government, institutional and residential.

I did just a quick scan of the exhibitor list (available here http://www.neocon.com/exhibitor_listing.asp) and saw that companies like 3Form, Arch Deco Glass, Dorma Glas, Skyline Design, Meltdown Glass and Joel Berman Glass Studios, just to name a few, were there. Brian Pitman from the Glass Association of North America sent me this picture he took at NeoCon in the 3Form booth. The company uses a variety of materials, including glass, to create architectural elements for use in applications such as walls, partitions, back splashes, doors, windows and many others.

Speaking of hot topics, NeoCon had information on a lot more than just glass. I took a peek at the seminar schedule and saw that on the first day alone nearly 30 percent of the presentations were titled to have a direct focus on green, energy, sustainability … if there are people out there who still don’t think green is here to stay, they are wrong. The world is changing and as individuals and as an industry it’s truly something we must embrace.

On a side note, if decorative glass is your game you will be excited to know that we’ll soon have a new publication designed specifically for you. Decorative Glass magazine will premier as part of the August USGlass magazine; the second issue will be published in November. I am really excited that we will be able to bring you this great new publication that will cater to innovations, trends, styles and needs that are unique to the decorative glazing industry. More info will be posted here as it becomes available! In the meantime, if you’ve got pictures, projects or story ideas that relate to decorative glass please send them my way.

Good-Bye Mr. Yenny

2008-06-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

There’s a very small glass shop located not far from my house that I drive past everyday. Yenny’s Glass is anything but bustling; in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone go in or out. I’d gone by there once, but it was closed. In fact, it was closed for business a lot.
Today as I drove past it I saw auction signs all around it, saying the building and all of its contents will be auctioned off.

I got home and started thinking how much I regretted never getting back over to that store. Wanting to try and find out a bit more, I Googled it and found that Heiny Yenny, who had owned the store, died a few months ago. I never knew Mr. Yenny, but I felt sad and remorseful that I never made it back to his store when it was open.

I read his obituary and it said he was born in Biel, Switzerland on March 24, 1926. The glass shop he owned was founded by his father, and according to a company profile I found online Heiny Yenny was currently its only employee. As you might imagine, with such a small business there was not a lot of information available about it online. There was no website, but I did find it in an area business guide that said in addition to glass it sold paint and wallpaper.

I wanted to find out a bit more about Mr. Yenny and his work with glass. I read the guestbook on his obituary page and saw that several people had fond memories of him, thanks to his glass work.

One person wrote, “…We have some lovely glass pieces to remember him by.” Another said, “We have mirrors all over our house to remind us.” Another talked about having shared a hospital room with Mr. Yenny who had tried to show him how easy it was to cut glass.

There are glass shops, small and large, everywhere. Sometimes, though, they go unnoticed--especially the tiny ones. When I told my husband that Mr. Yenny, owner of Yenny’s Glass, had died, he had no idea there was even a glass shop in town. Made me wonder, what if Yenny's Glass had been consolidated as part of one of the big chains? It certainly happens often enough.

Earlier this week on the USGlass message forum (visit http://www.usgnn.com/ and click the Forum link) Paul Bieber wrote the following:
“We all know the independent auto glass shop is in steep decline. The nation-wide chains have been gobbling them up for years, forming national installation chains. Will this happen to flat glass, too? Will there be a consolidation of glaziers and glass shops? Would you join such a consolidation if the payment for your shop was adequate?”

It’s an interesting discussion topic and one on which your opinion is important. Let us know what you think.

So, What do You do?

2008-05-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

Whenever I meet people for the first time and they ask me what I do for a living I usually begin with something like “I’m a writer for a magazine.” Because then their response is something like, “Oh how exciting! Which one? Cosmo? Vogue? Time? Newsweek?”

“Goodness, no,” I say. “Something much more exciting that those pubs (by the way, that’s magazine talk for ‘publication’). I write for USGlass magazine.” Of course I next have to explain USGlass, and they start to think that maybe writing for a magazine isn’t so exciting.

“But you’re wrong,” I say. We have just as much happening in our industry than you could read in Time or Newsweek … lots of good stuff is happening and even the not-so-good … not everyone or every company is perfect, you know.”

“How true,” they agree. “So what have you enjoyed the most?”

Now, you might think this is something I would have to think a lot about, but I don’t. I say that as a writer, I have the opportunity to take a subject about which I know very little, explore it, research it and learn something knew. Then, I like the fact that I can take what I’ve learned and translate it into an article, people will read it and then (hopefully) they, too, will have learned something as well.

Of course the next thing people ask is, “So what have you learned?”

At this point you might think I try and shift the focus away from me and my job with a “Why don’t you tell me about what you do,” bit, but I don’t. Instead I think back to some of the articles I have written ... I’ve learned that architects like glass because it helps distinguish their designs, provides for energy-efficiency, safety and security. This is certainly something we hear a lot about today, but I wrote about it back in 2000 (http://www.usglassmag.com/USGlass/2000/0004/0004goingagainstgrain.html).

When I wrote this article some designers talked about installing plank glass flooring; today we’ve got a glass floor that extends over the Grand Canyon.

What else … how about energy … for years we’ve been talking about how coatings on glass can help save on energy costs. Those started out as passive; now we’ve evolved to glass products you can actually turn and turn off.

Speaking of changes regarding energy, just consider the fact that the Department of Energy (DOE) is working on revising ENERGY STAR criteria. At the last NFRC meeting in Nashville, Richard Karney from the DOE said one reason the criteria is being changed is because in some areas codes have superseded ENERGY STAR, and that ENERGY STAR performance needs to be above that of the codes.

So what does all this mean and what have I learned? I’ve learned that the glass industry is dynamically changing—and for the better. It’s not only trendy with sparkly, pretty products, but it’s trendy in that it’s a green industry, too. And you know how big that is right now.

By this point in the conversation with my new-found friends, they’re usually way into writing about glass. And I say, “Well if you think writing about it is cool, you really should talk to the manufacturers, fabricators and glaziers out there because they are the ones who are really doing all this exciting work.”

Be Prepared

2008-05-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

The 2008 hurricane season starts just a little more than one week from today, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is urging everyone in those hurricane prone areas to be prepared and to have a hurricane plan. Thanks to stringent building codes and an increasing number of jurisdictions that have adopted them, the windows in homes and buildings in those areas are becoming safer, too.

And just what is the NOAA saying we can expect this year? A near normal or above normal hurricane season in the Atlantic basin. Near normal? Above normal? If you’re like me, reading that left you saying, “Huh?” So here’s what it means. The NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center Outlook indicates we can expect a 60 to 70 percent chance of 12 to 16 named storms, including 6 to 9 hurricanes and 2 to 5 major storms. And just in case you need a bit more clarification, a tropical system is named when it reaches tropical storm strength—winds of at least 39 miles per hour. Tropical storms become hurricanes at 74 miles per hour and major hurricanes when the winds hit 111 miles per hour.

With all of this in mind, what do you do to prepare for a storm? There’s a lot at stake and a lot to consider. So getting ready for a storm can be as simple as having cash on hand. For the “Steering Through the Storm” article in the July 2007 USGlass (http://www.usglassmag.com/USGlass/usgtoc/2007/July2007.htm) Norman Foxworth, owner of Dependable GlassWorks Inc. in Covington, La., talked to us about how his company survived Hurricane Katrina and some of the lessons he learned.

“You should start [preparing] at least two weeks before you know a storm is coming. You should check your supplies and check your generators and make sure you have the gasoline on hand to operate them,” Foxworth said. He also said employers should have enough cash on hand to take care of purchasing supplies, paying employees and buying gas, as after major storms, ATM machines are often shut down and a lot of gas stations might not be able to take a credit cards or personal/business checks. “The only thing that talks after a hurricane is cash,” Foxworth said.

By the way, next week is Hurricane Preparedness Week. The National Hurricane Center also offers advice for preparing for hurricanes, which you can read more about by clicking here: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/disaster_prevention.shtml.
Let us know how you’re preparing for the 2008 hurricane season by posting your comments.

Tower Talk

2008-05-16T10:50:00.000-07:00

Ah, the city of Boston … home of the Celtics, the Red Sox, a famous tea party and Paul Revere’s ride. This week it’s home to the AIA Show, where I’m sure many glass folks are right now—and with good reason, too. It’s a great place to launch new products and innovations, and to really get those great ideas in front of architects, specifiers and designers.

Like many of the products on display inside the walls of the Boston Convention Center, the building itself is also a great display of glass and metal (check out the cover of the January 2005 USGlass by clicking here: http://www.usglassmag.com/USGlass/usgtoc/2005/Jan2005.html).
Architect for the job was HNTB/Rafael Viñoly and the contract glazier was the Canadian firm Ferguson-Neudorf Glass Inc. The job features a unitized curtainwall system, dry joint 1/8-inch plate panel system, a structural glass wall, as well as all glass revolving doors and entrance systems.

Boston definitely has a lot to offer when it comes to glass. Take the famous Hancock Tower for instance (thanks to www.freefoto.com for the image shown here). The tower is known for one of the most famous cases of glass breakage. For years it was a mystery … what caused all of those lites to break … windowpanes that plummeted hundreds of feet to the ground below? An article in the February 2001 USGlass written by Thomas A. Schwartz, P.E., principal investigator of the Hancock Tower glass breakage, says, “A gag order imposed on the parties to the resulting legal dispute prevented the release of the facts regarding the cause of the breakage—giving rise to many theories and myths, some of which exist to this day. Initially, many design professionals thought the reason for the breakage lay in the fact that the tower swayed excessively in the wind. Although it was indeed swaying substantially, this was not the reason for the glass breakage. Another hypothesis was that wind forces at hot spots, which resulted from the rhomboid shape of the tower, caused overstressing of the glass. Substantial hot spots did exist, but only a small percentage of the glass was subject to anything near the load for which it had been designed. Still another myth was that the windows broke because of the stress they endured from the settlement of the tower’s foundation.” Click here to read the entire article: http://www.usglassmag.com/USGlass/2001/0102/bad.html.

So what was the cause? It was the IG.
“The insulating glass units that made up the façade were fabricated with a thin lead tape spacer to separate the two [lites] of glass. The tape was soldered to the glass after the edge of the glass was coated with a film of copper to make it more receptive to the solder. This created a tenacious bond between the spacer and the glass, which constituted the product’s greater strength as well as the source of it demise.” The article goes on to explain that by the late 1960s, large-size glass with tints and reflective coatings were architecturally popular. “The large sizes and increased thermal loads associated with the tints and coatings caused substantial differential movement and increased stress along the glass-to-tape bond,” eventually causing the bond to separate. In some areas the bond was so strong that the tape ripped tiny pieces of glass from the surface.

So there you have it--the story of that famous glass breakage. While you’re in Boston, if you have time to take a walk, maybe you can see the Hancock Tower yourself and share this history tid-bit with some of the tourists passing by.

Surprising Surcharge

2008-05-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

It’s pretty pathetic that the other day I got excited over the fact that I found gas for $3.69 (most other places around here are at $3.79). This feeling of jubilance was shattered the next day when I took a look at the receipt for my mom’s Mother’s Day gift (a lovely bouquet of cookies). Right between the subtotal and the shipping charge there it was: FUEL SURCHARGE! Are they kidding me?

Over the years I’ve written a number of news stories talking about how glass companies are handling the fuel surcharges with which they’ve been faced. I’ve talked to many of you in the industry asking for comments as to how you’re coping with the surcharges that are passed on and passed on and passed on. More often than not, you tell me, you either pass it on to your customers or absorb it. Well, I certainly can’t pass the $4.93 surcharge on to my mom (not after everything I put her through growing up), so it looks like I’m just gonna have to absorb it. And while I know that my $4.93 surcharge may seem like peanuts compared to the ones with which you’ve been faced, let me tell you, I’m still feeling your pain.

With all this talk about increasing costs and surcharges, I decided to look back at some of the fuel-related articles from USGNN.com I went back to 2004, the beginning of our online archives, and searched for “surcharge.” Three stories came up—two were announcing suppliers’ surcharges; another talked about how Desert Glass Products in Las Vegas was adjusting its prices as a result of surcharges from float glass companies (http://www.usgnn.com/newsdesertglass051704.htm). Just for the heck of it I next looked up what the average cost of a gallon of gas was in 2004 … $1.85. That’s half of the $3.69 for which I rejoiced just the other day. This has to stop soon … doesn’t it?

But then again, if certain analysts’ predictions are true, maybe current gas prices aren’t so bad. I heard one group forecasting $200 a barrel prices for next year, which would mean $6 or $7 a gallon for us. Yikes! I don’t know about you, but if that’s what we have to look forward to I’m going to be spending a lot more time on my bike!

Stormy Thoughts

2008-05-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

It may seem a bit early to talk about hurricanes, considering the official season doesn’t begin until next month, but it’s already a discussion topic. Last week during Glass Fabrication in Vegas several presentations touched on the subject and just today I was assigned two articles relating to hurricane glazing. Next, a Google search brought me to this link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/09/tech/main4004068.shtml?source=RSSattr=U.S._4004068, which says we can all expect a stormy 2008 season with at least 15 named Atlantic storms projected. Speaking of hurricane names, here’s a look at what the NOAA is calling this year’s batch: Arthur; Bertha; Cristobal; Dolly; Edouard; Fay; Gustav; Hanna; Ike; Josephine; Kyle; Laura; Marco; Nana; Omar; Paloma; Rene; Sally; Teddy; Vicky; and Wilfred.

I know lots of people who’ve lived through major hurricanes. It’s not easy, I know. I was living in Raleigh, N.C. in 1996 when hurricane Fran pounded the coast, even making it’s way north and across the center of the state. The storm was downgraded to a tropical depression by the time it passed over Raleigh, but it still resulted in massive damage and flooding. I was lucky enough to be without power for only three days; there were others without it for nearly two weeks. In the days immediately following the storm, stores were closed, restaurants were closed, there was no ice and no water.

If you’re not familiar with exactly where Raleigh is located, it’s a good two hours drive time inland from the beach. It just goes to show, you don’t have to be in a coastal location to be affected by a hurricane, as the impact can be far-reaching.

We’ve certainly seen the use of impact-resistant windows in use along the coast as code requirements are continuing to evolve. One of my favorite HGTV programs is “My House is Worth What?” If you’ve never seen it, it’s a show where homeowners have a real estate agent come to their house to determine for how much they could list it, should they want to sell. They do a walk through and look at the features, the upgrades, the good and the bad. For example, a house with only one bathroom isn’t going to be big with home buyers, but a giant, luxurious master suite can add serious value. With the homes in South Florida, one thing I hear a lot is that the homeowners upgraded their windows to ones that are hurricane resistant and the real estate expert always, always, always says that doing so is a huge plus.

Everyone always learns from his or her experiences. It would be interesting to hear what you have learned from your own hurricane experiences. Feel free to share your thoughts here.

Lights, Camera, Action!

2008-04-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

Even before I hopped my plan for Vegas this past Monday morning I was thinking about glass. Anyone whose ever walked from the Pittsburgh airport parking lot to the terminal … well … let’s back up and re-phrase that to say any glass person walking from the parking lot to the terminal has certainly noticed the display of roller-wave distortion in the walls of windows along the way. Going back to my original thought, I’m sure even the non-glass folks have seen the ripples and just didn’t know what they were or why they were there.

So certainly roller wave distortion, as well as other tempering topics, were on the agenda this past week as part of GANA’s Glass Fabrication & Glazing Educational Conference, which took place in Vegas. If you’re not familiar, it’s an event that’s ideal for those relatively new to the industry as it serves up a program of essential information that everyone in the glass industry should know, from taking care of those tempering furnace rolls, to cleaning and handling glass, as well as a look at industry-specific codes, standards and market trends.

Those of us attending for USGNN.com and USGlass magazine are used to reporting on industry events and conferences by way of the written word. But this past week we all took it a step forward when we did some on-camera reporting. Now I, personally, have a tendency to get all stressed out before trying anything new, be it eating escargot or doing an on-camera interview. I wasn’t sure of how I would sound, if I would, and um, between every other word … it was just nerve-wracking for me at first! But once I did it, I have to admit, it was a lot of fun. Check out some of the interviews at www.usgnn.com.

Speaking of this past week, you probably know we celebrated Earth Day on Tuesday. Greg Saroka, president of Goldray Industries, talked to USGlass publisher Deb Levy about some of what his company is doing to be a "greener" glass company (you can see that interview from Glass Fab on www.usgnn.com, too). There's lots we all can do--individually and as an industry--to help protect the earth and the environment. Please share your ideas by posting a comment here or sending me an email.

Vegas Bound

2008-04-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

Like lots of people who travel often, I’ve been to Vegas many, many times. The first time I was there I hated it, really, really didn’t like it one bit. Second time, still not crazy about it, third time, OK, it’s growing on me a bit. Today, I’m not sure how many times I’ve been there (I know it’s a double-digit figure), but I’ve grown to find the city somewhat enjoyable. Please note, I said somewhat. I’m not a gambler by any stretch, but I do enjoy the nice restaurants and the fabulous shopping. I’m also rather fond of the architecture specifically, the glass.

Few hotels, casinos or condos along the Las Vegas strip (and even those off the strip) are without an eye-catching glazing display. I mean really … Vegas would just not be Vegas without shiny, shimmering, colorful glass, right? Ya’ll know this; Vegas was made for the glass industry.

So it’s with great excitement that I will be returning to Las Vegas next week to take part in GANA’s Glass Fabrication 2008 conference. While the presentations and speakers are always top-notch, I’m particularly looking forward to the high-rise construction tour on Monday afternoon. This special event will allow those of us on the tour to really take in the current Vegas construction boom. And I am sure that my glass mentor, the great C. Gregory Carney, will be there to guide us along the way, sharing his insight and knowledge. Indeed, the tour will be fun and the conference educational.

In addition to Glass Fabrication, GANA’s Contract Glazing Educational Conference will also be taking part concurrently. A hot presentation topic that will be new this year is a discussion on Google Sketch-Up, imaging modeling software. If you’re not too familiar with this, it’s something you’ll be hearing a lot about in the near future. If you’ve not yet read your April USGlass, check out this article I wrote about BIM: http://www.usglassmag.com/USGlass/2008/April/modelapproach.htm. BIM may take a while to catch on, but the consensus seems to be it’s definitely here to stay.

The Big Oops

2008-04-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

Faced with the reality that the national average cost of gas is about $3.36 cents, it’s tough to not talk about energy costs, gas prices and the like. Earlier this week on April 8, the Alliance to Save Energy issued a statement saying it was urging consumers to help tackle spiraling energy prices by reducing consumption.

That same day Saflex® announced tit would be implementing a price increase of up to 40 percent, effective May 1, on its PVB sheet products to address the rising raw material, energy and transportation costs. You can read the entire release at www.usgnn.com. Of course, Saflex isn’t the only company that’s had to raise prices. Many have and many will be doing so soon, I’m sure.

But enough about increasing costs … they are here to stay and all we can do is try and save energy—individually or on a global basis. There’s a lot of good that can come from trying to live a greener life, and believe it or not, there are still some people not familiar with “living green.” Just a few weeks ago, in fact, I was explaining it to someone … it’s not that difficult to be green and just because you are doesn’t necessarily make you a tree-hugger. And actually, if we all were a little more earth conscious would it really be so bad?

Some of you have probably heard me talk about my sister, my little tree-hugger, who's beenin California teaching outdoor education since 2002. I’ve learned a lot from her and in many ways I am trying to live more like she does – taking my own bags to the grocery door, turning off lights when I leave a room, recycle … I’ve learned that I can’t do everything to fix the problem; I just do what I can and the more little things we can do the better.

And on another note … we all know no one’s perfect, right? Just this week Max wrote in his blog about the CrystalGrey oops in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. I’d also like to share an oops that I saw in a magazine, Country Living, it was (bear in mind, that having been a magazine editor for a good number of years, I pretty much can’t open a magazine [or a book, restaurant menu or newspaper] and not find an oops).

So anyway, I’m reading this great little article about how we can all make our homes more green—50 ways to be exact. And, there it is, right in the middle (or almost), number 22: “Prevent heat loss and gain inside your home by installing double- or triple-glazed windows … you may save more than 30 percent on energy costs by doing so.” Sounds good, right? There’s more. “Look for windows with the EPA’s ENERGY STAR label …” Huh?

The EPA? Last I checked ENERGY STAR was a DOE program. Sounds like the editors at Country Living forgot to do some fact checking. Don’t worry, I’m sending an email to make them aware of their oops.

2008-04-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

About a year ago I visited Martinsburg, W.Va. If you’re not familiar with it, I’m not surprised. It’s a small little town that’s located maybe 2 hours west of Washington, D.C. The town’s not far from Harper’s Ferry if that gives you any remote idea as to the location of which I speak. So, while the town wasn’t much to talk about I did find a great little shop called West Virginia Glass that sold hand-made, decorative glass items. Now this is my kind of place! I remember thinking, praying, as I walked through the door, I could maintain some spending control.

Sure, it was hard to not buy every beautiful vase, display bowl, even sculptures and art. There was a lot I would like to have bought. I finally narrowed my selection to two Blenko Glass pieces (www.blenkoglass.com): a yellow sunflower bowl or limited edition amethyst bowl. Decisions, decisions … while sunflowers are my favorite flower, I’m also a stickler for anything “limited edition.” So, in the end, the purple bowl won out. I took a picture … but it’s hard to see all of the color and details … sorry, it’s a pretty dismal day.

Since I got started in this business and learning about glass--mostly architectural—I am still so fascinated by how absolutely beautiful glass is. What you and I know, that many others do not know, is how simple a material glass really is. It’s the skill and craftsmanship that truly create such works of art.

I started thinking about decorative and art glass for a couple of reasons. The simplest of which was the fact that earlier this week while shopping for a wedding shower gift I found myself in a store that sold Blenko Glass. The bowl was green and when you looked straight down on it, it resembled a starfish. I resisted the urge to buy it.

More specific to the flat glass industry, I’ve been talking to a lot of companies that make decorative door panels and sidelites. Looking at their catalogs and websites, it’s clear that incorporating these products into a home can, in some cases, really be like adding a work of art to the architecture.

Glass really can be pretty amazing and never fails to impress me.

Tight Times?

2008-03-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

Thinking about the current economy and the slow residential market reminds me of a book I read as a kid. It was called Tight Times and, if I remember correctly, it was about a little boy whose father lost his job. The parents explain to their son that he can’t have a dog, extra toys, etc. because currently they are living through “tight times.” Now, I don’t remember any other details, but I’m sure it had some kind of a happy ending (after all, it is a book for children). I can’t help but think though, that there’s got to be a lot of people out there having similar conversations with their own kids.

We all know it, the housing market isn’t so hot these days. When will it pick back up? Sooner rather than later we all hope. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, privately owned housing starts in February were 28.4 percent (+/-8.3 percent) below the rate of February 2007. In addition to that the National Association of Home Builders says the sale of single family homes in February was nearly 30 percent below last year and down 58 percent from the peak in July 2005 (and don’t we all remember what THAT was like!).

But I am not here to be the bearer of bad news. I’m here to say it is absolutely possible to make a profit in a down market. You just have to look for the opportunities. Maybe it means going after a new market or focusing your efforts into another business segment. Either way it is possible. In fact, I talked to several people this week who all told me that while yes, they have been affected by the slow market, they have been able to find alternatives … think value-added opportunities.

Consider the remodeling industry. It may still not be a market bursting with business, but it has seen a much smaller decline than new construction. And, there are lots of opportunities for glass—energy-efficient windows, a new shower enclosure, maybe even a new bathroom mirror or two. I’m sure there are also lots of unconventional ways of using glass; it just takes a little creativity. What do you think? You can share your ideas for keeping busy in a down market by posting a comment or sending me an email.

Etch-A-Sketchup

2008-03-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

If you attended the AIA show last year in San Antonio, you probably remember a couple of things:
1) the wonky layout of the show floor and all of the small ballrooms that housed the exhibitors that didn’t make the main show floor; and
2) the heavy promotion of Google Sketchup (www.sketchup.com).

I for one remember all of the buzz and excitment over Sketchup ... there were swarms of people surrounding the display, you could barely squeeze by it and people couldn't stop talking about how it was going to change the construction industry.

In case you missed it or you’ve never heard of it, Sketchup, as described by Google, is 3D for everyone. It’s software that allows users to create 3D models, and two versions are available. A free version can be used by anyone and then there’s the Pro version for, you know, the pros.

Now, I’m not doing an ad for Google or its products, but I can say this: I really see more and more of the construction industry, even all you glass folks, making that shift toward 3D modeling. Sure, the transition will be a gradual one, but it probably won’t hurt to get in the know on this.

In fact, there’s going to be a presentation on the subject during the upcoming Glass Association of North America Glass Fabrication Conference (www.glasswebsite.com). Denise Beneke from Marmon Mok Architecture will be talking about using image-modeling software. Plus, I happen to know Denise and I am sure she will be able to relate using these programs directly the needs of the glass industry. Plus the whole conference is in Las Vegas, in case you needed another reason.

OK, with that said and done, now that we all know there’s a free version of Sketchup, who’s going to be playing around with it this weekend? I know I will be!

What's all the Buzz?

2008-03-07T10:55:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that in most big cities there’s a Starbucks on just about every corner? They are everywhere … until you need one. By "need one" I mean you’re in some small, nowhere town and you need a place that has wireless Internet. Of course as soon as you find that one Starbucks, all of the others you drove around looking for just start popping up all over the place. I had a similar experience over the past week and a half with BIM … you’ve heard of BIM, right?

As you probably know, BIM stands for building information modeling. Until a couple of weeks ago it was pretty new to me. It sounded familiar, I knew I had heard of it, but it wasn’t something I knew too much about. Then, my co-worker Tara Taffera, editor/publisher of DWM magazine, told me about a presentation on BIM that was at a WDMA meeting. I started looking into and then, just like those Starbucks, it started showing up everywhere … articles, presentations, even this past week at the NFRC meeting.

BIM has been described as the next generation of CAD; BIM tools can help with space calculations, material selection, even energy performance. Now I, like many of you, am still just learning about BIM, but from what I’m gathering it’s one of those things that, sooner of later, everyone’s going to be doing.

It makes sense to me to use a BIM tool to create a building. After all, with a drawing you’re limited; you've got lines and arcs depicting a 3-D object. BIM allows you to see a representation of the building as an object. You can demonstrate the entire life cycle of the building!

Still, BIM is in its infancy. And, as with anything else, it will require a learning curve. There will be start-up challenges. Some will be hesitant change--you know, there are still companies and businesses out there with no website and no email; there are probably others not just ready to part with blueprints, too.

I’d like to get a feel for what you in the glass industry think about this BIM buzz. Let’s get some discussion going on this. Feel free to post a comment, or send me an email and tell me what you think.

Next Week in Nashville

2008-02-29T07:34:00.000-08:00

The first-of-the-year surge of trade shows and conferences is winding down. I know many of you have spent a good part of January and February flying from city to city, conference room to conference room, even code hearing to code hearing. Yes, these past two weeks have hosted the International Code Council (ICC) hearings. I, along with the other members of our editorial team, was able to listen in to the daily hearings via web cast. While there was a good bit of discussion over codes relating to the glass industry (which you can read about at www.usgnn.com), I think the best part happened before the beginning of each and every code hearing when the moderator reminded everyone to turn off their cell phones. For those failing to do so there was an automatic $10 charge if the phone rang. I expect to hear that one popping up at many, many future industry meetings.

Speaking of future industry meetings, next week the NFRC’s spring meeting will take place in Nashville. I’m heading to that one myself to cover it for USGlass and USGNN.com. Be sure and check in to USGNN for daily updates, as the group is continuing to move forward on CMA certification language.

Nashville is a great city for anyone who’s into glass and one of the best displays can be found at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. There, you can stand beneath and absolute massive overhead glazing display that features 5,000 panels from Naturalite; glass was provided by Viracon. Check out this link for more details: http://www.viracon.com/gallerydetail.php?field=product_cat&data=laminated&project=7

I visited the Opryland Hotel nearly ten years ago, before I knew anything about glass. Come to think of it, I don’t even remember the overhead glazing. Rest assured, I do plan to visit it again this trip and will definitely take pictures. Be sure and check back next week for more details.

Anyone for Some Code Hearings?

2008-02-22T08:02:00.000-08:00

Since I know you have all been reading your USGNN everyday this week, I’m sure you’re well aware that the International Code Council (ICC) code change hearings are happening right now in Palm Springs. The code change world is one I’m pretty glad to have only limited involvement, though this code change cycle is a big one for the glass and fenestration industries (read some of the updates here: www.usgnn.com).

As I’m sure many of you are well aware, it’s not the most exciting of venues. I’ll give you an idea of what it’s like. Yesterday evening, a little before 5 p.m. EST I was tuned in to the code hearings webcast. Hearings were about to begin on a new code and the moderator made an announcement … a schedule change if you will. He said, “The schedule says we will be going until 6 p.m.; that’s wrong. We will be going till at least 7 p.m. and if we’re still not done, we’re going to keep going until we are.” Remember, that’s an at least 7 p.m. Pacific time … Considering those hearings start each day at 8 a.m., that’s a long, long day.

Sitting through hours and hours (hours and hours) of rebuttals and re-rebuttals may not be on the top of your must-do list, but it’s a good thing that it is for some people. Well, let’s say it’s good that they do it. After all, as someone told me a few years ago when I asked him why it was so important to be involved in code development: “Codes drive the marketplace and if you don’t lead you’re going to follow in the dust and you’re going to have other people dictating how best to use your products. So it’s really to make sure that your products are best represented in the marketplace and they’re used for the smartest and most functional reasons.” (Want to know who said this? Click here to find out: http://www.usglassmag.com/USGlass/2003/0304/Science.html).

If you want to really grasp the good that’s come from code changes and hearings, just look at all the hurricane-prone states and jurisdictions now requiring impact-resistant glazing. Years ago, laminated glass suppliers, manufacturers, window manufacturers and others went to the code bodies and said, “Hey, we’ve got products here that can help mitigate hurricane-caused damage; products that can improve safety and pass required testing.” Maybe those weren’t their exact words, but you know what I mean. The bottom line is that the codes changed because the industry spoke up and got involved.

Whether or not you’re involved in the code change process, good things do come out of it, and we’ve got safer homes and buildings to show for it.

Airplane Reading

2008-02-15T11:50:00.000-08:00

Air travel provides a really great opportunity for me to do something I don’t get to do enough: read. One of my favorite airplane reads is Real Simple magazine. I only buy it when I’m traveling, but I really enjoy it. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a magazine that provides articles on making life a bit easier … you know … organizing tips, easy recipes, green living, that sort of thing.

So yesterday I flew from Atlanta to Las Vegas and, yes, I picked up a Real Simple to read on my 4+ hour flight. I was enjoying the articles and one in particular grabbed my attention. “Going Green,” the magazine spread read. It was about how a couple in California transformed their home to be eco-friendly. I was intrigued; I mean glass is certainly green, so surely they upgraded their windows.

Here’s some of what the article talked about: They made their house more energy efficient with GreenFiber Cocoon insulation, which is made from recycled newspapers treated with borate. They use fireplace logs made from recycled coffee grounds. They used paint with no VOCs. Efficient appliances, composting, water aerators and more.

This is all fabulous, but what about the windows? All that the article mentioned was that they used “inexpensive cotton thermal drapes” that “leverage solar heat by blocking it in the summer and catching it in the winter.” Really? Doesn’t glass do the same thing? And if you’ve got to keep these thermal drapes over the windows, don’t you then have to turn lights on, which means you’re using up more electricity. Just a thought.

On another note, I also read a “Green Scene” article in the Delta Sky magazine. This one did talk about the benefits of windows. The article references the book You Can Prevent Global Warming (and save money!): 51 Easy Ways, written by Jeffrey Langholz and Kelly Turner. It talks about how insulated curtains and shades work, but the best option is an EnergyStar window which can “save 50 percent more energy than 10-year old windows and insulate five times better than single-pane windows.”

Maybe someone should pass that info on to that green California couple.

All in th Family

2008-02-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

If I had followed either of my parents’ career paths I would today be in the auto parts business (Dad) or working as a nurse (Mom). Instead, I decided to follow my own path and I became a writer. And of that I am glad because I have little interest in knowing anything about cars and I can’t stand needles. That tells me I would not have been much too successful in either of their chosen fields.

But following the career of a parent is not unusual in the glass industry. Actually, it’s quite common. Many glass shops and businesses are family owned and operated, passed down from father to son, father to son, father to … daughter? Yes daughter. A lot more businesses are now being passed on to daughters and these women are managing glass shops and contract-glazing firms.

I was lucky enough to spend time this past week talking to a few of these women who serve as president/CEO of contract glazing companies started by their fathers – Letitia Haley Barker from Haley-Greer in Dallas and Robyn McGinnis from Sierra Glass & Mirror in Las Vegas. I am not going to say anything else about them now, because you will be able to read more about them in an upcoming issue of USG. Patience, patience, patience, please.

Let’s talk more about the family business instead. There are so many out there and I’ve had the opportunity to visit and learn about a lot of them over the years. I think there’s something you find in a family business that you don’t necessarily find in a big corporation. Is it that people care more about the business? Do all the employees become part of the family, making them want to be a part of the business? For all you family businesses out there, what is it for you? What do you think are the distinguishing qualities of a family-owned glass business? Post your replies or send me an email.
Have a great weekend!

A Glassy Distraction

2008-02-01T10:28:00.000-08:00

This past Wednesday night the Republican presidential debate was held in the Air Force One Pavilion of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley, Calif. Like all good Americans, I’m sure many of you watched it, and like all good glass people I’m sure the first thing you noticed was the structural glass wall system, right?

Being that you read this blog every week oh so religiously, I know that you know how nutty I am about glass—especially structural glass. I find it intriguing so much that a few years ago I wrote an in-depth article for USGlass about the popularity and growth of point-supported and other types of structural glazing. If you missed the article you can read it by clicking here: http://www.usglassmag.com/USGlass/2003/0309/psg.html.

So considering the fact that the most exciting part about the debate was the location, I’m sure it will come as no surprise that I simply had to find out more about that wall.

I found an article in the December 2004 issue California Construction that talked about the expansion of the Reagan Library with the Air Force One Pavilion, which today houses Air Force One No. 27000. The entire construction project was completed in 2005. You can read more about it here: http://www.707sim.com/.

Here’s what the article, written by Greg Aragon, had to say about the glass wall:
“The pavilion’s grandest feature may be a giant 200-feet wide by 80-feet tall glass curtainwall through which the nose of the jet peers … the $2 million wall will give guests a memorable view of Simi Valley and the illusion of flight if they are looking out from the plane.” The article went on to say that the curtainwall is a 11,280-square foot expanse of glass made up of 15 12.5-feet long by 5-feet tall, 625 pound panes.*

(*the writer’s word, not mine. We all know it should have been "lites.")

In addition, “60-feet tall vertical-bow trusses with spider hardware and structural silicone at each intersection connect the [lites] to each other.” Glass for the project was provided by Viracon.

Walters & Wolf was the contract glazier on the project, working closely with Mero Structures Inc., the company that did the design, engineering and installation of the wall. Norm Shane, vice president of Walters & Wolf, said the massive size of the wall made it an extremely challenging job, combined with the fact that it was such a historical structure.

“The fact that it was a presidential museum made it a significant job,” said Shane. “It’s a monument to one of our presidents and it’s striking to view.”

Striking indeed. Check out these pictures that Norm from Walters & Wolf sent me:

If you want, take a minute and tell us about a significant project for your company, and why it was so meaningful.

Top of the Game

2008-01-25T12:06:00.000-08:00

It’s no secret, females in the glass and glazing industry are clearly a minority. Personally, I’ve been to many, many conferences, seminars and meetings where I was one of maybe a handful of women in the room. However, over the past few years it does seem like the number of us attending these meetings is increasing.

In the glass industry and many others, women are leading the way for some of the country’s biggest names in business. With that in mind, let’s talk about powerful women for a moment. eBay, Yahoo and Google have more in common than an online domain. High-ranking executives from all three were listed in Fortune magazine’s 2007 list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business:

Rank Name Company Title
3. Meg Whitman eBay President/CEO
20. Sue Decker Yahoo President
29. Sheryl Sandberg Google VP Global Online Sales & Operations

Also making the list (and close to my heart) was Cathleen Black, president of Hearst Magazines. I just love a magazine … and when they’re about my own personal indulgences (shoes and clothes, as found in Harper's Bazaar), well that’s just fine by me.

But what about the glass industry women leaders? There’s more out there than you may realize. Women serve as presidents and/or CEO of more than half a dozen contract glazing companies in the United States. You’ll be able to read about some of them in the March issue of USGlass, which will feature our annual Big Book of Lists.

And if you know a woman who’s running a glass business, it’s still not to late for you to tell us about her. Just click this link http://usglassmag.com/bigbook/ to download the form. Send it in and help us recognize these great leaders.

The Skinny on Lean

2008-01-18T07:53:00.000-08:00

One of the things I like most about my work is how I'm constantly learning. I still have those "Ah! I never knew that!" moments. And I think that's true of everyone out there; you have to keep learning. I mean, it's impossible to know EVERYTHING, right?

For me, my latest "aha!" learning experience was finding out how common it is to customize fenestration and even glass processing equipment. I never knew. Until recently I guess I figured that when Company ABC goes to buy a line from Machinery Company XYZ, they would buy exactly what they see before them. Instead, more often than not, individual companies are changing those lines up to meet their specific production needs. And one of the big reasons for customization is lean manufacturing.

Even in the simplest of ways, I try and apply some kind of "lean thinking" to my own everyday routine. For example, I keep my sneakers with my gym bag in the closet where my coat is. That way when I'm heading out to the gym I don't have to go to three different closets. Instead, everything is in the closet by the door, so I can grab it and be on my way.

In my office, I keep paper right beside my printer so that when I run out it's all right there. Pencils and pens are beside a notepad that's right beside the phone. I'm not saying everything is perfectly neat and organized; I've certainly got my share of clutter. But the more you can do to eliminate waste--anything that keeps you from working efficiently--the better off you'll be.

Over the years I've visited a lot of different glass plants and so many of them do really have a flow to them. Glass comes off one line and it's easily moved on to the next. Whatever form of lean manufacturing they are following, I've yet to speak to anyone who said it hadn't improved their production process.

Tell us about some of your lean tips and ways they've helped make your company more efficient and more productive.

Rhyme Time

2008-01-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

When I was in high school I took two years of creative writing. And yes, it was the class that truly helped me know what I wanted to do with my life. I’d always loved to write, but the course, along with a really great teacher (Mrs. B., as we called her) helped cement my goals.

One assignment we had was to go through the newspaper find an interesting little news clipping and then write a poem based on the story. For the life of me I can’t remember what I wrote or my news clipping, but I can remember one of my classmate’s (the first couple of lines anyway). She’d clipped a story about some guy stealing a few cases of beer from a local store and her poem started like this:
“Could it be possible? Could it be true? Someone has stolen two cases of brew.” That’s all I remember; it was so catchy it just stayed with me all these years.

Anyway, I started thinking about some of our news items this past week on USGNN, and while there was no mention of stolen beer, there was a story titled “Security Glass Foils Attempted Robbery.” (Here's the link: http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=7595789&nav=menu86_2) That got me thinking and so I put together this little ditty about security glass. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Security Glass Wins Again

The day would soon be ending.
The teller watched the clock tick, ticking.
Counting down the minutes, the time it was descending.

But then something did happen.
A man walked in the bank.
Moving closer to the counter, beside the large fish tank.

The teller smiled politely.
And the man did do the same.
But the reason for his visit, cannot be taken lightly.

A glass wall was between them.
He thought so little of it.
When he reached into his pocket and slipped across the note.

The teller took the paper.
She chuckled at this caper.
Her back she turned to him and then she walked away.

The man he stood there puzzled.
Not sure what had just happened.
And when his hand, it hit the glass, his fist was left a’hurtin.

The glass it was so heavy, nothing light and flimsy.
“I can’t break this! I’m sure to miss. There’s nothing left to do.”

So he turned and left the bank.
For glass had foiled his plan
“I never knew,” the thief did think, “ that glass could be so tough to break.”

Hello 2008!

2008-01-04T10:03:00.000-08:00

If you’re like me, the first week of January is always a tough one. Not only do you still have leftover Halloween candy in the pantry, but plenty of other sweet treats leftover from the past two months worth of holiday celebrations are still calling your name. So we resolve to eat less and exercise more … at least until mid-February when Valentine’s Day and chocolate covered everything comes around. So forget the resolutions of eating less and exercising more (that should be an everyday, all-year, way of life anyway).

The other thing about early January, at least for me, is finding inspiration. It’s cold outside and snow is all over the ground. I’m sitting here wanting to write about something new and exciting and all I see is snow!

But then today my husband sent me this link: http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/19869/page1/
It’s interesting to me because just a few weeks ago I wrote about how the glass box architecture of years past is becoming rare in terms of what we’re seeing today. I liked reading this article and seeing the images of so many worldwide buildings.

I look at these images and the glass the buildings display and I can’t help but be impressed. Not only was someone creative and genius enough to design such structures, but glass has a part—in many of them a major part—in defining what type of structure each building is.

The nearly all-glass Gherkin (see the image at left, © from www.freefoto.com), for example, has “an aerodynamic profile that reduces wind load and creates a difference in air pressure between the inside and outside that draws cooler outdoor air in through the panels in the façade.” The article explains that this unique feature, along with “abundant” natural light (made possible by glass) means the building consumes as little as half as much energy as other office buildings its size.
Images like these bring a certain level of inspiration to what I do. When I see what’s possible to create with glass it’s exciting to think about what we’ll see in the ten years … perhaps even sooner.

Seeing Clear

2007-12-28T10:08:00.000-08:00

Anyone who’s been reading this blog for a while now knows I’m a big fan of architectural glass—especially when it’s used in innovative, exciting applications. I’ve written about examining the glass in storefronts and hotel rooms, sometimes even crouching in the streets to see what type of glass is being used. I’ve even been in restaurant bathrooms where glass was used extensively, from the stall doors to the counter tops.

The most exciting, glass-clad bathroom I’ve yet to view was at Chicago’s Sushi Samba restaurant; I took the picture you see here of the entrance. It was dark in restaurant and a camera phone doesn’t take the best quality pictures, so it’s hard to see all of the glass and to truly get the full effect, but hopefully it will give you some idea of what it was like—I’d never seen anything like it. In addition to the floating glass mirrors, there were also frosted glass stall doors and even a glass shelf (you know, for a lady’s purse).

But there was more glass than just the restroom—railings, banisters, the bar top, walls. It was a lot of fun to see. You can go to the website, www.sushisamba.com and see a photo gallery of the Chicago restaurant, but it’s just not the same as seeing it for yourself.

Aside from the fact that Chicago is just a great city, it’s also a great place for glass and architecture--stroll down Michigan Avenue and you’ll see that. Lots of big cities are moving toward increasingly transparent architecture. You may have seen this story on USGNN.com yesterday

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2007/12/26/ST2007122601985.html that talked about how Washington, D.C. architects are taking their designs away from the boxy, brick and limestone buildings and using more glass.

Transparency is certainly an architectural trend these days and one that looks to have staying power for some time to come. Do you agree? Is transparency here to stay? Let us know what you think.

Safe & Sound

2007-12-21T04:51:00.000-08:00

I’m going to share a story with you that, while may seem humorous at first, is actually, pretty scary. A while back I locked myself out of the house. I was in a hurry, my arms were full, and as I stepped into the garage, closing the door behind me I realized that I’d left the keys inside. Smart. Luckily, I had my purse and in it were my cell phone and my wallet. Good thing about that. It was a little after 5 p.m., I had to be somewhere at 5:30, and the drive to get there would take about 15 minutes.

So what did I do? I called my husband. Of course, I had no idea how he could help me, if at all, being that he was a good 45 miles away at work.

He asked me, “Do you have your purse?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a credit card or something like that?”
“Yes.”And on that note, over the telephone and in fewer than five minutes, he told me exactly how to jimmy that door open with a credit card. I grabbed my keys and was off (after relocking the door, of course.)

As I drove, all I could think was, it can be just that easy to break into someone’s home. Now, this particular door, which goes from the kitchen to the garage, has a simple lock; if there had been a deadbolt I would have been out of luck. I know this is nothing you don’t already know—locks can be easy to break.

We are living in a world where the need for security is increasing. I know when I’m at home every door and window is locked. Look at big offices and buildings with their sleek all-glass entrance systems. Building owners and managers want to know exactly who is coming and going inside their offices.

Not only are we seeing more electrified access control systems, but more biometrics, too. With biometrics, entrance is granted based on individual biological characteristics, such as a fingerprint. Fingerprints and retina scans are a lot tougher to steal or copy than a PIN number or a swipe card.

I’d like to know, what’s the glass industry think of biometrics? Have you been exposed to this type of product? If not, how much more are you doing with electrified systems these days? And what do you foresee for the future when it comes to keeping buildings—especially those with glass entrance systems—more secure? Let us know what you think.

My Specific Top 5 Industry Events and Why

2007-12-14T07:18:00.000-08:00

Over the past almost eight years I've done my fair share of travel, from the exciting to the not-so exciting; big cities to small cities. And as we come to the end of 2007 and prepare for all the travel that awaits us in 2008, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite events.

#5: GANA’s Building Envelope Contractors (BEC) Educational Seminar for Project Managers, June 1-3, 2000 in Dallas (today called the Contract Glazier’s Educational Conference). This was my very first industry educational conference. I went not knowing much of anything about glass (I’d only been in the industry four months). There was talk of contracts and bid documents, high performance coatings, testing, installations and I was taking notes as fast as I could write. The meeting also gave me the chance to do my first industry plant tour – Vistawall. When I left Dallas I still didn’t know as much as I do today, but I knew more than I when I started. And while it still took a while to really understand some things, like anything else, it’s a learning process, and that’s how I try and look at everything I do.

#4: Vitrum 2003 in Milan took place June 25-28, not it’s usual October showing. Many of you who attended will remember, Milan saw record high temps during the show week. While the days were long and the weather scorching, I walked the halls of that show excited and optimistic of what I would see and learn. The show may not be as large as glasstec, but it’s still larger than our shows here and I covered it for the magazine alone. While that may not sound like a great achievement to those of you outside the editorial world, to me it was an accomplishment that I found helped me not only further what I knew about the North American industry, but the international industry, too.

#3: Building Envelope Contractors Conference, Las Vegas, February 20-25 2005. This meeting has become the place to be for the commercial glass and glazing industry. From the biggest to the smallest, contract glaziers flock to Vegas for this annual event. My trip there in 2005 was not my first time there, but it was the first time I presented before such a large group—300+. I was both excited and nervous when I stood before the attendees to share with them the results of the USGlass contract glazing survey. But in the end, it went really, really well. I provided attendees with some information that some later told me was both valuable and helpful. So I know now, that if given the opportunity, I could, without a doubt, do it again.

#2: Glass Processing Days, June 17-20 2005. Flying to Finland is no short trip. But if you want to know what all the world’s greatest glass minds are thinking and doing, you got to go. Sure, some of the sessions are so technical you leave cross-eyed, but the knowledge and experience and the contacts you gain from that meeting are hard to beat. Plus, I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you, the networking and social activities are pretty top-notch, too. After all, it is the land of the midnight sun.

#1: Who knows? That next best thing is still waiting to be discovered. You see, every time I go somewhere or attend a meeting, it’s my number-one favorite. That’s how I try to take everything that comes my way. I like to learn new things and stay open-minded to the developments and changes that are taking place constantly.

Why all this list talk? You ask. Because USGlass is preparing for its Annual Big Book of Lists, which will be in the March 2008 issue. Be on the lookout for more information as to how your company can be considered for one of the many categories.

Outside the Glass Box

2007-12-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

I saw this link (http://www.thestar.com/living/article/280592) on USGNN this week and I was intrigued. The article talks about how construction of condos in Toronto is moving away from window wall and toward curtainwall … “a new industrial style.” Reading that curtainwall was “a new industrial style” made me pause. I know the word “curtainwall” is not usually part of the typical family’s dinnertime conversation … “Honey, did you see that new curtainwall going up downtown?” … but the technology has been around a long, long time.

Before I continue, let me say that I know the article is geared toward a Canadian audience, but still, curtainwall is not a new technology—not even in Canada, and specifically, the Toronto area. Alumicor has been in business there since 1959 and Fulton Windows in Mississauga, now part of Oldcastle Glass, has been in operations since 1977. And sure, I understand that maybe curtainwall is new for the condo market there, but not for high-rise commercial. In fact, the article goes on to talk about how these new condos are being constructed in a way that will resemble other towers in their given areas.

I did a bit of research on the history of curtainwall. I found that the first curtainwall in New York City was the Lever House, constructed in 1951-1952, and designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill. Here’s a Wikipedia link if you’re interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lever_House.

While the “glass box” style may not be as popular today as it was 25 years ago, glass is still a hot design product for architects. Transparency is a buzzword of late, and thanks to so many structural glazing systems and technologies it’s easy for architects to achieve that look.

I know that a lot of what we see here architecturally in the United States originated in Europe. Technologies that may seem old hat there are new and exciting here. If you’ve learned a trend or found inspiration and ideas from something you saw somewhere else, be it Europe, Asia or anywhere else, tell us about it

2007-11-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-11-26T11:20:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-16T09:20:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-11-08T16:12:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-11-02T04:33:00.000-07:00

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.

Creative Building

2007-10-26T04:29:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I visited a nearby health and fitness center. It was the sleekest, most modern gym I’d ever seen. It had three levels and each level featured snazzy glass and metal railings and balustrades (if only I had my camera! I had thought to myself). But there was more to it than just the railings … there were glass stairs! If you’ve yet to walk on glass stairs or flooring, it may seem somewhat intimidating … after all it is glass … but they are manufactured in such a way that it’s completely safe.

Seeing all of this got me thinking about decorative glass—a hot, hot item right now. GANA’s youngest division, the decorative division, now just more than 1 year old, is off to a strong start and growing rapidly. While not the largest division, the decorative group is actually growing faster than of the others. And that’s no big surprise considering how much architects are craving anything and everything that’s new, different, colorful, textured and the list goes on.

But I really wanted to get the inside scoop from some companies that offer decorative products. With that said, I went straight to the source and here’s what a few folks shared as to why they think decorative glass is becoming more and more popular.

“I think decorative glass is gaining because designers love the ability to use different things. It has so many varieties it really lets the architects put into play what they truly visualize in their spaces. Plus its more mainstream now, years ago it was strictly export, but now you find it all throughout North America,” said fellow blogger and USGlass columnist Max Perilstein from Arch Aluminum & Glass.

“So much in our built environments use manufactured materials and the same materials appear everywhere. Decorative glass sparks the imagination and can give a handmade feel to a built environment. People value a unique, creative environment, and decorative glass offers a vast array of ways to achieve a wow factor,” said BJ Katz, founder and art director of Meltdown Glass & Art Design.

To me it’s so interesting. Think about it, some of those amazing designs and sculptures of glass, it all started out as sand. I don’t know of too many other building products that can do the same.

What do you think about decorative glass? We’d love to hear what you think, so send me an email and let me know.

2007-10-19T10:19:00.001-07:00

Anyone who's spent more than an hour in North Carolina (my home state) knows one sure thing: ACC basketball is big. There are people there who devote their lives to following and supporting their favorite ACC team--face and body painting, dying their hair the team's school colors, planning/scheduling events around their team's playing schedule; I have seen friends become foes because one guy's team beat the other's ... it's never ending.

So yes, I'm a big fan of ACC basketball (Go Tarheels!) and I enjoy talking to others who share a similar passion for the sport, like Bill Cobb, president of Coastal Industries in Jacksonville, S.C. While he's not a Tarheel fan, he is a die-hard fan of the Clemson Tigers. So much, in fact, that Mr. Cobb and his wife travel around in their RV tailgating at Clemson games. But not just any RV--it's an orange, black and white Clemson RV! He's been profiled in several RV and tailgating publications and even featured on ESPN's Ultimate Tailgating.

It was such an interesting experience getting to know Mr. Cobb, it got me thinking about how I'm sure there are many, many others in this industry who are also intriguing. We get to know people from a business perspective, but how well do we know them? What do they like to do that is truly unique? I'd like to learn more about the people in the glass industry and what makes them unique. Tell me about someone you know or about yourself. Post a comment here or send me an email.

Being Aware ...

2007-10-12T05:55:00.001-07:00

I was watching the news this morning and heard that Al Gore had won the Nobel Peace Prize--a timely recognition as October is Energy Awareness Month. Gore has been speaking out for years against global warming and whether you like him or not, it doesn't hurt anyone to be a little more environmentally conscious and aware.

As part of Energy Awareness Month, the Federal Energy Management Program is providing materials to federal employees that can help remind them of making smart choices for saving energy, money and resources (items such as room temperature cards).

Glass products have been proven to be a great way to reduce energy costs. But still, it takes a lot of energy to produce some of those products. What if every company in the glass industry found just one or two ways to reduce energy usage? According to the EPA, recycling paper (and we all use paper), for example, can reduce water usage by 60 percent, energy by 70 percent and cut pollution in half. Do you have ideas that glass companies could employ to help save energy? Email me and let me know what you think.

On my mind ...

2007-10-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

I called this blog "Off the Press, On my Mind" for a couple of reasons. First, it fit really well with what we at USGlass and all of our publications do--the magazines come off the press, you read the issue, and think about the news, features and other articles each month.

Here, I wanted to tell you about some of the things that go through my mind, the things I learn about, experiences from traveling to different events ... the things on my mind as they pertain to the glass industry.

One thing I can tell you, is that after having worked for USGlass for almost eight years I can't walk into a store, airport, house, place of business without noticing the glass. Not only that, I can't watch a movie or TV show without noticing the glass. Just last night we watched Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic, "The Birds." Aside from noticing that Tippi Hedren's character Melanie wore the same outfit all week long, I also noticed how the glass broke when the birds attacked...long shards of glass. Is it odd that I think that way?

But I like glass and I like the industry. I enjoy learning about it. People often ask me about my job, where I work and what we do. They usually end up saying something like "Glass? You write about glass? Is there really that much to have a whole magazine?" I just tell them, "You have no idea."

Hot Topics

2007-09-29T05:08:00.000-07:00

If you ever need a conversation starter, especially with someone who does not live in the same region as you, the weather is often a safe bet. Extreme periods of snow, rain, drought, unusually high and/or low temperatures can also help the conversation going.

Lately, though, instead of the weather I've found myself starting conversations with another hot topic--gas prices. "So, what's the price of gas around where you are?" I'll say. Right now I'm excited over our area's $2.65 a gallon price. $2.65! It wasn't that long ago the prices were $1.50!

High gas prices have affected everyone, everywhere, and have lead some to try and find ways to be a little more energy-efficient, whether through carpooling, walking/biking or trying hybrid vehicles

Glass shops are affected, too. They have deliveries/installations to me and are often driving for long periods of time. I've heard from several that one way they are trying offset these high costs is by having one installer/truck handle jobs in the same area rather than driving all over town for different jobs. They say global positioning systems (GPS) has really helped them with consolidating work--and also helps avoid going the wrong way (which can also be costly in terms of gas and time).

I have not talked to any shops that have taken to hybrid vehicles as of yet, but I suspect as they become more and more mainstream that will change.

I know that I, personally, have taken steps to become more energy efficient--when I can walk somewhere instead of drive, I do for example. I'm curious of some things other glass companies/shops have done to save on gas, too, send me an email or post a comment and let me know.

Knock on Glass

2007-09-21T12:37:00.001-07:00

Last week I wrote about the new digital USGlass and the tremendous response it's received since it's launch. If you'd like to see for yourself what it's all about you can click here to see it: http://www.usglass-digital.com/usglass/200709/

And in other news this week ... laminated glass. We all now it's a hot product these days, and with the codes demanding in more and more areas, I'm sure we can expect to see more in the future.

I spoke with a few window manufacturers recently who talked about how not too long ago they chose to start making their own laminated glass. It's nothing out of the ordinary for a window manufacturer to make it's own IG; that's been happening for good, long while. But laminated glass? Could it be a new trend for the fenestration industry? We'll have to wait and see.

Whether it comes from a glass company or a window company, laminated glass is an interesting product, I think. We always think about being mainly for hurricanes ... and sure, we in the industry know that it has been other benefits, but hurricane-resistance often comes to mind first.

I told someone once that laminated glass could even be used in sound control applications. Astonished, he didn't quite get what I was saying. So I used the airport example ... jet engines ... loud noise ... lots of glass in the terminal. Yet you don't ever really hear the sounds of the planes ... amazed, he was.

Greg Carney with GANA once told me you could knock on the glass and tell whether it was laminated. That was almost 4 years ago and I'm still knocking on glass whenever I can.

2007-09-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

Last week, as you probably know, was a big week week for the glass industry. It began with the big trade show in Atlanta and wrapped with GANA's Fall Conference. Thousands of people from across North America and even a good number from other countries around the world traveled there to see what was new in the industry.

Key Communications, publisher of USGlass magazine, launched a digital version of the magazine, as well as Door & Window Manufacturer magazine. This means subscribers won't have to wait for the issues to arrive in the mail as they will arrive right in their email in-box when the issue goes to press. It's a great way for the international glass market to keep up with the industry, too, since there's no country-to-country shipping involved. The industry, as we all know, is becoming an increasingly global place to do business.

The GANA Fall Conference saw a good bit of work and progress, too. The group's newest division, the decorative, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary, is quickly growing in terms of membership and participation. During last Friday's meeting participants were literally jumping out of their seats to get involved. Headed by Kris Vockler with ICD and another USGNN blogger, the group is off to a great start and making lots of progress. Be sure and check out the November issue of USGlass, which will include a full recap of the Fall Conference.

Limo Tint?

2007-09-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

All of us in the glass industry know how energy-efficient our products can be, right? There's tons of glazing options, from the reflective coatings to warm-edge technology. So how come there are still places--high-temperature locations--that have not grasped this concept?

A few years ago I was in San Francisco for an industry conference. It was during one of those rolling black-out summers, and everyone everywhere was concerned about the energy crisis. So while there for the conference I was in my hotel room and I did the one thing we all do in hotel rooms--I checked the glass in the window. And lo and behold! What did I see? A single-glazed window. I could not believe it.

I had a similar experience while vacationing a couple of weeks ago. I was in Hawaii and while having dinner one night, I saw all the windows there were also single-glazed. We asked the manager about it, and he responded that the windows had a tint on them that "reflected more heat and light than limo tint." Hmmm ... Of course, this guy was the restaurant manager, not a glass shop or film shop owner, so of course he's not likely to be as aware of all the many advances in energy-efficient technologies that are available for windows.

And I guess I'm still a bit confused as to how "limo tint" is really the best fit for restaurant windows. Seems to me there may be some better options here. I'd be curious as to what you think about the matter. Send me an email with your thoughts.

2007-08-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I wrote an article for USGlass in which I told about my parents' house. Years ago when they bought it I never really thought about glass--all its windows and doors. There are tall casement and fixed windows all around the house, and a glass back door that opens from the kitchen to the porch. When I was a kid I convinced myself it was "bullet-proof glass." After all, I told myself, we'd need it in case anyone ever tried to break in or rob us at gun point. (I guess you could say I had an over-active imagination.)

Of course, the glass is not "bullet-proof" nor is it "bullet-resistant." It's IG.

My folks also have two tables with glass tops and every time I see them I think about two things:

1) There's no standard out there for such glass; and
2) Whether or not the glass came from China.

I've examined the glass and have seen no markings to tell me anything about from where it came. So who knows. For me it's interesting how all the things that have always just been there--like those tables--now make me think about my work.

As far as the windows, they make me think about work, too. A few years ago the IG in a few of the windows fell victim to edge-seal failure (and I do know the manufacturer of that glass but won't say who). Some have been re-glazed, but there's still a few yet to be done.

If you're like me you just can't go anywhere without thinking about the glass. We know what the others don't--there's just so much more to it than just glass.

Right Before Your Eyes

2007-08-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened this week in the glass industry, and, as always, USGNN.com brought you a lot of that news. All you have to do is turn on your computer, a couple of clicks and presto! You're there. The industry is at your fingertips.

There's no doubt that the world as we know it is moving closer and closer to a paperless way of life. Does that mean magazines, newspapers and books will one day become obsolete? I doubt it. I find a certain comfort in picking up the book or magazine I want to read, holding it and reading it, page by page (not click by click).

There's a certain intimacy I think you can find in reading a book that you're just not going to get from reading a computer screen. It's hard to imagine curling up in front of a fire on dreary, rainy day, glass of wine and a laptop. Swap out the laptop for your favorite reading material (USGlass, perhaps) and it's a different picture.

The glass industry has been slower than some other industries to embrace online technology, but we're moving in that direction. More companies are offering online catalogs, shopping and purchasing; more are launching websites where they can also offer online customer service. Some might not like it, but we're changing--we can't afford not to.

As you move more and more into the online, computer-powered world, take a moment to think about how easy so many things are nowadays--it's all right at your fingertips--even USGlass www.usglassmag.com).

The Joys of Travel

2007-07-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

Last week I traveled to Denver to attend and cover the NFRC's summer meeting. While the event resulted in many lively discussions, I'm not going to write about them here, you'll have to visit the www.usgnn.com or the USGlassmag.com "Only Here" page to read the scoop.

Instead I'd like to briefly stray from life in the glass industry, though still about something many of us deal with more often than not. I'm talking about the joys of traveling. I know plenty of you out there probably feel as though you spend more time than you'd like going from airplane to airplane, city to city.

I had a bit of airline drama myself last week traveling home from Denver. My flight departing was right on schedule an even landed in Atlanta early. So I headed from terminal A to terminal C where my flight was scheduled to take me home, departing at 9:55 p.m. I walked to the gate, only to learn there hadbeen a gate change. No worries, that happens all the time. I grabbed a quick bite, made a couple of phone calls and then headed to the new gate only to see, that once again there had been a gate change. Nice. So, once again I headed over to a new gate, only to see we were to be delayed by about 20 minutes, now departing at 10:15. p.m. OK, I said to myself, I can handle 20 minutes.

So I sat down to read a book. As the time approached 10:15 no announcements had been made about the flight ... 10:15 came and went and we finally got an announcement that we had a plane, which was undergoing some maintenance and, by the way, there's been a gate change. This is just getting crazy. So I grabbed my stuff, headed down to the new gate and by now it's pushing 11 p.m. At the new gate we learn we should depart by 12:05 a.m., as we're awaiting an in-bound aircraft ... you can imagine how I'm feeling by now. So I sit, I wait, I read, I make a phone call. Finally the plane arrives, people deplane, the crew prepares for the next flight and finally by midnight or so, we're in the air.

We landed a little before 1:30 a.m., all you need to know now is that I had an hour and 20 minute drive home, which put me getting to bed at around 4 a.m. Got to love travel.

I know this was a departure from what I usually write, but I knew so many of you could relate. I'd love to hear some of your travel stories, so shoot me an email or post a reply here.

Outdoor Living

2007-07-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

Everyone envisions something when thinking of their dream home, right? For me it's an outdoor kitchen, which I got hooked on from watching HGTV. It doesn't have to be one of those top-dollar, high-end, everything's-at-your-fingertips outdoor kitchen, just something simple ... a fun place for entertaining.

Indoor-outdoor living is just one trend in home designs and homebuiling. Homeowners and builders are finding ways to maximize on outdoor space to make it part of the entire living area. What better product to help do that than glass?

One product that is fast-growing in popularity is the opening wall. When closed it seems just like a fixed wall system, but when it's open the entire room becomes part of the outside. And for those with bug or insect concerns, screen systems are also available that work with the walls.

I wouldn't mind building one of these walls into my dream home either ... it could open to my outside kitchen ...but because the walls tend to fall into a higher price category than a traditional French door, for example, you've got to really want it. The best locations are those where there's a killer view--the ocean or snow-capped mountains. That's the other thing--most people tend to think of these products as being only suitable for warm-weather environments. Thanks to efficient glazing and framing technologies they can also be used in cold climates.

The building of my dream house is a ways off. In the meantime I can dream. I will make a list of all the things I would like for it to have, and while there will be some features I will sacrifice, I am sure I will find a few interesting ways to use glass.

Before You Buy ...

2007-07-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

In the August issue of USGlass we will be featuring our annual Guide to Equipment & Machinery. It's a special feature that's designed to give companies planning or considering a major equipment purchase information about the types of equipment on the market.

While I myself have never purchased a tempering oven or an IG line, I have made major purchases. And I know that you don't just walk into your realtor's office or onto a car lot and buy the first thing you see. Careful consideration goes into such a purchase, and the same holds true when purchasing glass fabricating or processing machinery.

I asked a friend of mine in the tempering business what he would say are some of the biggest considerations a company should to take before making any major machinery purchase and he told he it all comes down to getting the right machine for the right markets. "Just as you wouldn't buy a Cadillac to haul hay on the farm, you wouldn't buy a 3-ton truck to take the family on vacation," he said.

I'd be interested in hearing some of the lessons you've learned in buying equipment, what advice you'd offer to others and what you think are the number one considerations. Send me an email or post your comments here.

2007-06-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

I walked the CSI Show yesterday in Baltimore. It was much smaller than last month's AIA Convention, but exhibitors said they found the attendees in Baltimore much more focused--there for the information.

I was surprised there wasn't a greater glass presence. Only three companies, J.E. Berkowitz, McGrory Glass and PPG exhibited from the glass side. Several others were also there from the curtainwall side, as well.

There was, not surprisingly, a strong green focus. One person said it seemed that green has gotten bigger than security glazing. So plenty of attendees were on hand with products to help achieve LEED points. PPG's employees were even wearing green shirts to further emphasize the trend.

The other big announcement was that next year CSI will become Construct 2008. It will be organized by Hanley Wood and CSI will be the main sponsor. While we know it will be in Las Vegas, dates have not been announced. It will be interesting to see what happens with this new event. It will at least give everyone another reason to visit Las Vegas.

2007-06-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

I don't think there's a business out there right now that has not been affected by the skyrocketing costs of health care. Companies everywhere in every industry have made all kinds of plan changes and cutbacks to try and offset the increases.

A major reason that health care costs are going up is because, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), more than 65 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight (a body mass index of 25-29.9) or obese (body mass index more than 30). The CDC attributes billions and billions of dollars spent every year to both overweight and obesity medical expenses.

Aside from the work I do on a full-time basis for USGlass, I have also spent the past 13 years working in the fitness industry. That's why I was so impressed with a story we ran on USGNN earlier this week about the efforts of Coastal Glass Distributors in Charleston, S.C. http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/jun/11/longtime_fitness_expert_keeps_wellness_on_worker/

The company recently began a wellness program that, as company president Jack Hoey says, was not to save on health care spending, but to help people feel better. Employees now have an on-site wellness center and a wellness coordinator on staff available to talk about the importance of proper nutrition and regular exercise.

I know that Coastal Glass Distributors is not the only industry company with an on-site wellness program; I know many others out there have similar programs, just as there are those without. I would love to hear what some other glass companies are doing to promote wellness, so please email me and let me know.

As you think about the weekend, and what you will be doing, think about this: The CDC has set a national objective to reduce the prevalence of obesity by 15 percent by 2010; the country's not there yet and 2010 is not that far off. Now, think about this--only 24 percent of U.S. adults engage in vigorous leisure time physical activity more than three times a week. Doing so can add not only years to your life, but it can also help prevent diabetes, some cancers and heart disease.

There are 1,440 minutes in every day. Is devoting 30 of those minutes to exercise really all that much?

Lean Thinking

2007-06-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year when many of us all start thinking about one thing: getting fit for summer. With vacations to the beach and days by the pool, lots of people are working hard to prepare for bathing suit season. Lean thinking, if you will. They are cleaning all of the junk from their diets, and they are hitting the gym trying to become a leaner, more efficient person. You know where I'm going with this, don't you?

As you probably know by now, lean thinking applies to more than just a healthy lifestyle. It applies to our work and business live styles, too. Just take a look at your desk or work area. How much of what you see before you is really necessary? How much do you use every day? Every week? Month? I admit it, as I was sitting here writing this I looked at everything on my desk. Last week when I wasn't thinking about lean, my desk seemed perfectly straight. Today I feel like it's a cluttered mess!

But making just the smallest of changes can help. I am pledging right now to work on re-organizing my office. If I can make finding a certain file or back issue of USGlass a little simpler it will help me be more efficient. Little by little. Are you with me on this? Tell me about some of your lean strategies and I'll keep you posted on how my re-organization is going.

Above Average ...

2007-06-01T04:17:00.000-07:00

Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dean, Erin, Felix, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Noel, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van and Wendy. This is not a list of my best friends (I've yet to meet a Humberto), but rather a list of the 2007 named storms. Fitting, being that today is the first day of the official 2007 hurricane season.

After an extremely mild 2006 season, experts with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration are calling for "an above normal" season for 2007. And what does "above normal" mean? According to those experts: 13-17 named storms with 7-10 becoming hurricanes, of which 3-5 will become major storms--category 3 or higher. An average season, on the other hand, brings 11 named storms, with 6 becoming hurricanes, including 2 that become major storms.

Last year, though, was pretty good--great, actually a relief--after 2005 destroyed so much of the Gulf Coast I think we were all glad to see no major storms come through in 2006. I heard on the news this morning that the Outer Banks of North Carolina may be the first area hit this year. As a Carolina girl, born and raised in North Carolina, I take this to heart.

I asked someone a few years ago about hurricane windows and why, at the time, more Carolina Coastal residents (and there are some top-dollar homes along the Outer Banks) weren't investing in hurricane glazing products. After all, it seemed, so many Florida homes certainly had. He told me then that the Carolinas were where Florida was pre-Andrew. Interesting. I've heard more and more about homes being built there now with laminated windows and others that are retrofitting. For the safety this will bring to those behind that glass, I am glad. Hurricane glazing products are no joke--they do what they are made to do--they help ensure safety and security. And there is testing to prove it.

So with that said about our expected "above average" hurricane season, I wonder: What have been the biggest lessons you've learned from your own hurricane experiences? Please email me and let me know.

Picture Time

2007-05-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

Today is Friday--but not just any Friday. It's the Friday before Memorial Day, which means summer is just around the corner. After a long, cold winter, I think we're all happy about that.

As promised, I've posted a few pictures from my Chicago trip a couple of weeks ago. The big, shiny, silver ball picture is the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park. It's been nicknamed "the Bean," but from what I hear some Chicago residents really don't like this very much. As you may know, Chicago-based MTH Industries did the metal installation.

The image next to the Bean, I mean Cloud Gate, is a shot of a downtown high-rise condo project going up. This was fun for me to see considering an article I wrote for USGlass a couple of months ago about some of the common condo concerns for contract glaziers.

And below that is another project going up in downtown Chicago featuring unitized curtainwall. I actually heard a presentation last week about unitized systems given by Henry Taylor with Kawneer. It was during GANA's Contract Glazing Educational Conference in Atlanta. In the July USGlass you'll be able to read more about the conference, as well.

I have to admit, I do like to take pictures of interesting glass projects that catch my eye--and I know I'm not the only one out there who does this. If you've got some glass shots you've taken during your travels email them to me. I would love to see them.

Enjoy your weekend and the holiday!

2007-05-11T04:37:00.000-07:00

You know you're REALLY in the glass industry when ...

It's inevitable. After a certain number of years in this industry there's a lot of little things we all end up doing: you look to see whose glass is in your hotel windows, check out the new storefront/entrance installation at the new mall, point out the IG failure of a restaurant window to a friend who has no idea of which you speak. Everywhere you go roll wave distortion just jumps right out you. One thing in particular I like to point out is the acoustical qualities of laminated glass. When people say "Oh, there's no way glass can block sound," I respond, "Really? When you're in the airport, how often can you hear the jets starting up outside?" After that they usually give in.

Now that summer is almost upon us, many are starting to think of vacations. Where will you go and what will you do? Whenever I go someplace I am always looking at the glass & metal architecture and structures, ans when I have my camera you can bet I'm snapping some pictures. This weekend, in fact, I'm heading to Chicago for the weekend, and I've got some time scheduled in to head over to Millennium Park to check out the Cloud Gate sculpture (featured in the most recent Architects' Guide to Glass. It's a cool structure; I will take pictures and post the here next week.

Speaking of pictures, I've posted here one of my favorites. It's from the Butterfly Exhibit at the Bellagio in Las Vegas a couple years ago.

Enjoy the weekend and some great weather.

Green ... It's Everywhere

2007-04-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

By now if you have not read about, heard about or talked about how the glass industry is getting green, then you've just been under a rock or something. I don't know of a glass or glazing company that's not doing something in this realm, be it creating new energy-efficient products, installing them or getting involved in one of the industry's groups or organizations that have a green focus.

But that's our industry and it's something we're constantly exposed to. Sometimes I get so caught up in my job and all that's happening in that world, that it's funny when those in my life outside of the industry start sounding like us. Because, you see, more and more consumers are trying to be more environmentally aware.

I was visiting my friend Doug this week and his new kick is how we as Americans are spoiled to pieces with our big gas-guzzling SUVs and our big houses with wasted space that just sucks up heat or cold air.

"You should get yourself some Energy Star products in your home," I told him. "That will help save energy." He quickly responded that they had an Energy Star refrigerator. "You could upgrade your windows, too," I reminded him.

But what really got me, was the next day we were talking to another friend, Peggy, at the gym, and he again goes on about wasteful we all are.

"You're going green!" Peggy said to him. "Green," she again said. "Haven't you head about the 'greening' of the country?"

It was the first time anyone in my everyday life had talked about green, and it was surreal. I think that's when it really hit me how big green is; it's not just us glass folks anymore--it's everyone (or it will be before you know it).

Have you had a green encounter outside the glass industry? Post a comment here or send me an email and tell me about it.

2007-04-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

Whenever I travel to big cities on of my favorite sites is the individual skyline of each. To me, whenever I look at a skyline I never really see one building or skyscraper. Instead I see it and think of it as one structure that defines a given city. Chicago's skyline is probably my favorite, San Diego's is great, too, as is Dallas'. These cities have great architecture, which also have great glass.

Speaking of cities, glass and skylines, earlier this week I traveled to Pittsburgh for GANA's Glass Fabrication conference (read more about it at www.usgnn.com, as well as in future issues of USGlass). While the event is designed to cater to the educational and informational needs of those new to industry (fewer than five years), it also includes a special evening activity. This year that event was a dinner cruise and while it was very cold most people opted to spend the evening inside the boat rather than on the top deck. I was one of those people who spent most of the night inside, though I did go on the top deck for just a couple of minutes so I could get a good look at the many buildings.

Standing outside, though just for a few minutes, it was pretty cool to see some of the buildings I've read about. Of course, there's PPG's Crystal Palace, which you can't help but notice. If you're one whose never seen even a picture of it here's a Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PPG_Place.

The other thing I noticed about the city is that the architecture is a great mix of very old buildings right beside very new buildings--some still under construction. I like how it was a combination of both.

What do you see first when visiting new sittings and taking in the architecture? Send me an email or post a comment telling me about your favorite skylines and buildings.

2007-04-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

Talk to just about anyone in the industry and they'll tell you same thing about business: right now the commercial market is strong. And a booming market is good for everyone. You're staying busy, you're filling orders, making some money. What more could you ask?

Read the pages of USGlass and you can learn about what lots of companies are doing during these peak times ... how they are thriving and surviving; what they see as good and what they see as not so good. These big companies are great. They do the big stuff, the tough stuff, monumental jobs even. But think about this: what would your local grocery store, Target or Wal-Mart be without their storefronts and entrances? Those places need glass, too, right? And someone's got to install it, yes? And just who does those jobs? A lot of times it's smaller, locally owned glass shops and businesses that take on this work.

It's easy to get caught up in the fast-paced, excitement of top-of-line glazing installations, but local, small shops are important, too. And I'm not saying we all don't already know this, I just wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation and gratitude. For you see, I love to go shopping (as most women do) and I LOVE to go to Target. Honestly, I can't leave the store without spending $50 ... I don't know what it is (the catchy TV ads, I guess). Anyway, if my local Target didn't have a storefront, well then I would practically be shopping in an open-air market (not that I still couldn't do some serious monetary damage).

Our small glass shops do a great job taking care of local businesses. And while they may not be ones that go down in the glazing hall of fame, they are still important. After all, it is glass we're talking about here and it does break. And broken glass has to be replaced.

2007-04-02T07:17:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and much of the country has been enjoying all that the season offers. I, for one, am loving this weather and hope it's here to stay.

Just a few weeks ago I wrote here about how the first-of-the-year travels for many of us were winding down. Just as quickly as that ended, we're now preparing for spring and summer events. The next big excursion for many of us will be the AIA Show next month in San Antonio. This is a great show for the glass industry because it's a prime opportunity to reach architects firsthand.

It's also a great way to see all the innovative products that glass manufacturers and fabricators will be launching. We all know that architects love glass, and I have no doubt that exhibitors this year will not disappoint. I also expect that two of the big themes at this year's show will be green trends and decorative glass. These are focus areas that are here to stay. So be on the lookout to see what companies will unveil.

The AIA show is only the beginning of the industry's spring and summer educational and informative events--more will follow. I truly believe the more you know about the industry, the better you can do your job. If you've not been one to visit trade shows or conferences in years past, maybe now is the time to attend one. You never know what you'll get out of it.

A Grand Adventure

2007-03-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Four years ago my sister, Rebekah, and I drive from Los Angeles to Fredericksburg, Va. We mapped out the journey so we could be sure and take in a few key sightseeing spots, namely the Grand Canyon. Neither of us had been there before and I have to say, the experience was beyond words. While there, we decided to hike down one of the paths to a first rest point; it was just over one mile in (the Grand Canyon offers several hiking trails; before you take on the trails, though, you can review maps that show you certain rest points. It also explains how much water, food, etc. you should have when hiking to certain points). The trek down was fairly simple; hiking back up was more challenging. Nonetheless, we prevailed and returned safely to the top (despite having to share the already-narrow trails with those doing the mule rides in and out of the Canyon).

Since that journey in 2003, the Grand Canyon itself hasn’t changed all that much, but the options visitors have to experience it certainly have. On March 28 the Grand Canyon Skywalk will officially open to the public (check out the image above provided by contract glazier Giroux Glass). This cantilevered, shaped-glass walkway extends 70 feet from the canyon’s rim and is suspended more than 4,000 feet above its floor. Thanks to glass flooring, you can look straight down to see the Colorado River running right below your feet. Amazing, is it not?

To think, glass made something like this possible. The flooring was made with DuPont’s SentryGlas® Plus structural interlayers and glass from Saint-Gobain. According to DuPont, analysis of the flooring showed that the floor can hold the weight of 120 people and still maintain safety ratings during 100 mile-per-hour winds. It’s hard to believe that glass, which in its truest form breaks so easily, can be so strong.

I think it’s exciting, all that glass can do. I look forward to the day my sister and I hit the road again, stopping to visit the Grand Canyon, so we can walk out on the Skywalk (Though I’m sure we’ll do another hike, too).

2007-03-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

It has been a long, busy week. We got a little taste of spring earlier this week with sunny, 70-degree days, but that's faded away and now things are once again "normal." Thinking about the weather and returning to "normal" conditions got me thinking about the condo market (stay with me here, I have a point).

Like many in the industry, I've done my fair share of traveling over the past couple of years, hitting most every major city a time or two, from Chicago to Vegas to L.A. and San Diego. Asides from the fabulous shopping these cities each offer, they also have something else in common--they've all been experiencing a great deal of construction growth, including condo projects. Good news for the glass industry, right? Condos certainly need windows so occupants of those high-rise, high-end homes can see the cities' incredible views.

Mid last year, though, the condo market began to taper. Whether it was a case of supply and demand or increasingly expensive construction costs some of those anticipated condos were stalled; others became offices instead. Either way, residential housing across the board slowed. But glass companies with which I've spoken say they really have not seen or felt the effects of this slowdown.

I asked an economist about this and he said it's not that the condo market is dead ... there's still a need and a demand, it's just that things are returning to more "normal" conditions (kind of like the weather this week.)

OK, so maybe me weather-condo comparison was a stretch; I really just wanted some way to bring the warm, sunny days back, if only in my mind.

What has your company seen within the condo market? Send me an email and let me know.

2007-03-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week I attended GANA's 10th Annual Building Envelope Contractors Conference, which took place in Las Vegas. Considering the amount of construction going on there, Vegas was certainly an appropriate venue to host educational programming for contract glaziers and others involved in the commercial glass and glazing business. More than 500 attended; everyone with whom I spoke praised the event for its many offerings, ranging from top-notch speakers and sessions to it's strong networking opportunities.

If there was a key word to describe this year's conference it would have to be green. As I wrote a few weeks ago, green building design seems to be here to stay. Speakers at the conference talked a lot about the different aspects of green, namely LEED certification and the ways that glass can play a role. The thing is, energy costs are continually increasing and they are not going back down. We have to fine ways to help offset those increasing costs, and glass and glass products are just one way that our industry can do its part. We'll be covering this topic more in future issues of USGlass magazine, so be sure and keep an eye out for those articles.

Also at the conference was keynote speaker Rocky Bleier, who played pro football for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bleier was a part of four Super Bowl wins, but had also been injured in combat in Vietnam. After surgery after surgery and being told he would never play pro football again, he beat the odds and today travels the country sharing his motivational story and encouraging everyone to be the best that they can.

On an exciting, personal note, I had the opportunity to meet Bleier afterwards--he even let me wear his four Super Bowl rings (check out the above image)! I'm not that much of a football fan, but I can say this, wearing those rings (though only for a moment) was quite exciting.

March Madness

2007-03-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

I openly admit it, I'm stealing from Max Perilstein's blog (fromthefabricator@blogspot.com) ... that is, his blog is the inspiration for mine this week.

First, he mentioned basketball ... NBA basketball, but still basketball. With that in mind and the ACC tournament next week, followed by the NCAA tournament, I just had throw in my Go Tarheels! cheer, just this once. The Heels might not be #1, but they are still in the top 10 and Duke is not (and that's really all that matters).

Enough about that.

While March may be the month for basketball, for those of us in the industry who have spent the first couple of months bouncing from one conference or meeting to another, it's also the month when your travel schedule likely slows down a bit. Sure, there's something here or there, but you may find that you get a few more consecutive days at your desk. You've learned a lot over the past couple of months. You've heard interesting speakers and presenters ... maybe you've even picked up a few tips of the trade and best practices suggestions. Now, how will you be using all of your new-found wisdom?

There's a new show on Fox called "Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" And while your first thought may be of course I am, think about it--how often do you use the information you learned in elementary school? The show asks contestants questions like what's the largest species of bear? How many teaspoons are in 5 tablespoons? In the word "unfortunately" what is the suffix? While you may know the answers, you might also have to think a bit to recall them.

Attending an educational conference (like next week's BEC conference in Vegas) can be a similar matter--if you don't use what you learn, that is. These events are a great way to learn not only about the industry, but also about worldwide matters and issues that do affect you and your business. The next time you attend a conference, maybe take just one thing you've learned and find ways to apply it to your daily work practices or those of your entire company. If this is something you've done or do already send me an email and tell me about it.

Go Green

2007-02-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

How green is your company? It's an issue it seems as though everyone, everywhere is talking about--the green scene, green buildings, green design--how green are you?
For the glass industry especially we here talk about it almost daily. Just scroll through the stories and articles on www.usgnn.com and you're likely to see at least a couple of related stories each week. Attend an industry conference and you'll hear a presentation that talks about green buildings and design. Walk the aisles of a trade show, such as the AIA show that will be happening this May in San Antonio, and you will find hundreds of products for reducing heating and cooling costs.
Not too long ago "green building" was classified as an industry trend. As the victim of some seriously bad hair and fashion crimes of the 1980s, I can say this--I know what a trend is. It's something that's really hot and exciting and within a year or so it fades away. Green building, however, seems to have some staying power (at least that's what I hear).
And for the glass industry, their are so many opportunities. The question, though, is how do we get more glass products in buildings? I've heard companies say before that they are not competing so much with others in this industry, but with other building products--other building products that may be classified as more energy efficient, perhaps? Maybe even better for the environment? I would be interested in hearing what you do to keep your company and your products ahead in the architectural market--ahead of wood, concrete, etc. What can the industry do to keep glass on the cutting edge? Post your comments or email me at egiard@glass.com.

2007-02-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday on www.usgnn.com we ran a news link about how a 10-foot lite of glass plummeted from the 24th floor of a Miami building. Luckily, no one was injured. While no one yet knows what caused the glass to fall, similar situations are not uncommon. Every few months, it seems, we hear stories of glass falling from windows, and, sadly, often there are injuries or even death.
While in yesterday's case there was no one was actively involved in the accident, sometimes these situations do happen as a result of human contact. This made me think about how important it is that safety be everyone's top priority when it comes to working with glass, whether inside the plant or on a job site.
The thing is, even though glass is a product that offers many, many benefits to end users, it's still glass--it breaks, it has sharp edges and it can hurt. Who hasn't, at some point, been cut by glass? Maybe you stepped on a broken piece of glass with your barefoot or broke a glass in the kitchen then sliced your hand while picking up the pieces. It happens. But regardless of the situation, we can all be more careful when working with glass.
With that said, I would like to share a story with you about my younger brother. A few years ago, while he was till in his early 20s, like many young men in their early 20s, he was more concerned about going out and having a good time than he was with his school work. Typical, right? Anyway, he was out with his friends one night and they had been having a really good time, if you know what I mean. My brother find that he has locked himself out his house. So what does he do? He wraps his hand in a towel and well, need I say it? You know what he did--he slammed his hand through the glass so he can reach through to unlock the door. Clearly, he had been watching way to many action movies, because while he did unlock the door, he also wound up with a good number of stitches. Luckily, my baby brother has grown up and matured--but we still like to laugh about the crazy things he used to do.

What If ...

2007-02-09T04:46:00.000-08:00

A little more than one year ago I attended the Annual Meeting of the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance, which took place in Palm Springs. Jeff Tobe, the Coloring Outside the Lines Guy, was the keynote speaker. In his presentation Tobe challenges his audience to find ways to be more creative at work and to also look for ways to do things differently than they've done in the past ... to be able to give customers something they cannot find anywhere else.
Well, I was so impressed with Tobe's presentation I bought his book, "Coloring Outside the Lines," and also an audio presentation, as well.
This past week at work I started thinking about what drives me to be creative at my job ... what keeps me motivated. So while driving home I decided to listen to that audio presentation (it just happened to be in my car, you know). And while it was not exactly the same presentation from that meeting a year ago, much of it was. I listened again as Tobe posed the challenges to everyone listening to color outside the lines ... to push the limits a bit, if you will, but always with the caution: Color outside the lines, but don't fall of the page. In other words, know what your limits are as well as those of your customers.
The glass industry is constantly evolving. Thanks to technology, products have been created that not only look nice, but also "do" things: they can mitigate against impact, keep rooms cool or warm, change from clear to opaque, even clean itself. With all of these innovations, I started to think about about how creative companies in the glass industry can be. Think about it--at one time glass was just glass, and now look at what we have. According to Tobe, many great ideas come from two little words: what if? When I look at some of these glazing products, I like to think that, perhaps, many came to be while a group of people working together looked at glass and asked the question: What if? What if glass could clean itself? What if glass could go from clear to opaque? What if ... the list goes on.
At first glance, and to those who do not work in it, the glass industry may seem (dare I say it) boring. I disagree. I think it's exciting. I am constantly amazed at the developments that unfold, and these creations help me, too, to stay creative at what I do. I look at these products and at our industry and say "What if ..."

Global Awareness

2007-01-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

Over the past few years we've all become aware of the growth of China as a major manufacturing force in most all industries--including the glass industry. An increasing amount of glass and glazing products are being imported into the United States from China, despite the fact that lead times can be longer than those of domestic producers.

What's driving this growth? Some say, without a doubt, cost is their number-one reason for buying Chinese-produced glass and glazing products. With the commercial construction market so busy right now, others say it's been the need to find alternative sources that can meet project owners' schedule demands when domestic producers have been unable to do so due to their own busy schedules.

Whatever a company's reason to buy or not buy imported products, the industry is changing. What do you think of the matter? Has your business been affected? Are you operating differently as a result of these changes? I always like to hear your thoughts an opinions and welcome your comments and emails.

Glass All Around

2007-01-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

If you are like me, it's difficult to go anywhere and not notice the glass. Every building I see, every window I pass, I have to check out the glass. You know you do it, every time you're in a hotel room don't you check out the windows to see who did the glass?

While examining the glass in storefronts and hotel room windows is something I find myself doing quite often, lately I've been finding more and more unconventional uses of glass that have made me stop and look closer.

For example ...

In airports I'm finding myself examining the handrail systems on the elevators, as well as the decorative uses of glass in some of the bars and restaurants there.

I went on a cruise recently and was amazed at all the ways glass was used: floors, walls, doors ...in one of the bars on the cruise ship I noticed condensation in one of the IG units. Glass was literally all around.

I can't remember the last time I just walked pass a window or a storefront ... any use of glass for that matter ... and did not take notice of something about it. I wonder, what do you see first when you notice a glazing system? Post your comments here and let me know.

Get Smart(er) in 2007

2007-01-05T07:48:00.000-08:00

The start of a New Year brings a lot of opportunities. That is, a lot of people look at a New Year as an opportunity to make changes. But these resolutions and changes don't always have to be about changing ourselves personally; we can also resolve to improve our work and professional selves as well.

One great way to do this is to take advantage of available educational and learning opportunities. Lucky for us in the glass industry, there are many programs of which you can take advantage--and a good chunk of them fall within the first three months of each year. What great timing!

By taking part in industry conferences, seminars, trade shows, etc. you have the opportunity to learn valuable information, improve your work self and performance and, perhaps prove yourself a stronger employee and asset to your company.

So, what can you do at these industry events? You can participate in technical working sessions, which allow you to help in creating many of the standards, guidelines and procedures followed in the industry. You can hear presentations and take part in discussions that are focused on current issues that are impacting the industry, such as energy codes and the environment as well as the growth of China's glass manufacturing and production industry.

If you think getting involved and taking part in some of these events is right for you, take a look at the industry event calendar at www.usglassmag.com.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

2006-12-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that in just over a week we will be saying good-bye to 2006 and hello to 2007. It seems like the older I get the quicker each year goes by. I've been thinking a lot about all that's happened over the past year in our industry, and the changes many of us have probably made in response--whether individually or for our businesses.
Think about this: A major trend right now in the architectural glass industry is the use of decorative glass. Colors, curves, swirls, patterns ... the list goes on. Architects are wanting to do more and more with such products, but despite its popularity, it's still a relatively new market for North America. Responding to this growth and demand the Glass Association of North America created a decorative division, which is off to a strong start. ICD's Kris Vockler, the division's interim chair, is also one of our weekly bloggers, bringing a lot of insight and ideas to the forefront to help increase the industry's knowledge and awareness of decorative glass.
Speaking of our blogs, Max Perilstein with his From the Fabricator page, has continued to speak out for the commercial glazing industry when it comes to many industry topics and issues. Likewise, our blog from Paul Bieber is there, offering real-life experiences that really make you think. After reading his page you may find yourself thinking "What would I do about that?" or "How would this affect me?" The more we think about our actions--not just personally but also professionally--and the consequences thereof can really help set us/our businesses apart both for the better or worse.
As you think and plan for the next year you can be certain that change will happen--people will come and go, products will be developed, codes will change, companies will grow, stay the same or fade away. Change is good. If nothing changed it would always be the same and your business would stay in the same place, not going forward, not going backwards. Embrace the changes that will happen next year and find ways from which your business can benefit.

Glass in the Kitchen

2006-12-15T05:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! Another week has come and gone bringing us one day closer to the weekend and one day closer to the end of 2006 (can you believe it?)

This week I'm still on my residential glass kick, but I've been thinking a lot more about the kitchen and all the places where glass could be used. I was reading on the website of the the National Home Builders Association a story that talked about kitchen trends and one that was mentioned was more natural light--daylighting. Kitchens are getting bigger and bigger and finding ways to bring more light in is a major trend right now. Think about this: what if there were a skylight in the kitchen, large windows and clear glass cabinets? That could make for a lot of light coming in to a room that in the past may have been somewhat dark--Like the chocolate brown refrigerator my parents had in the 1970s and the dark wood paneling. That kitchen had but one small window and not a lot of natural light. In the house in which my parents live now, though, there is practically a wall of glass that overlooks the back yard so lots more light comes into that room. And you know, I think my parents are happier, too. Of course, that could be due more to the fact that they no longer have three kids to keep up with. Whether it's the extra light or the lack of kids, studies have proven the benefits of having more natural light in our surroundings.

The thing is, if you really stop and think about it, glass can offer so much and bring so much to any environment. It can open up a room, making a small space seem larger.

I want to hear about some of the interesting ways you've seen glass used ... anything unique, creative or innovative? Post your thoughts and let me know.

A House Made of Glass

2006-12-08T07:18:00.000-08:00

Today is Friday--my favorite day. This past week has been a long, busy work week and I am looking forward to the weekend (aren't we all). One of the projects I've been working on this week is an article that focuses on glazing in residential construction.--I know many will agree it's a hot topic as architects, builders and owners keep finding ways to bring more glass into the home.
We all know the bathroom is the most popular room for glass. Shower enclosures keep getting bigger and bigger with more glass and hardly any metal. Then there are mirror options, sinks and even glass towel warmers. And, as the bathroom gets bigger I am sure more possibilities will unfold to bring glass into this room.
The kitchen is probably a close second for glass options. Colorful backsplashes are hugely popular these days. There are also products to create glass countertops, cabinet doors, sinks and appliances. And let's not forget the kitchen table--lots of homeowners are opting for a glass-topped table these days, too.
Depending on the homeowner's budget there are endless possibilities for creating a house made almost entirely of glass.
I was reading one of the stories on www.usgnn.com yesterday that talked about five unexpected home trends--luxuray garages, rejuvination rooms, snoring rooms (really--the room where a spouse goes who snores too loudly. Who knew?), heated patios and caving (rooms where each spouse, for example, has his/her own personal space). Wow!
While these items may be the must-haves for those monster homes, the story also gave a few no-no's:
-Spiral staircases;
-Bamboo floors; and
-Hardwood laminate flooring.
So then I got to thinking: you know, these "don'ts" could become "dos" if they were modified to include glass. Replace the spiral staircase with a straight staircase, but one with glass treads and handrails. For the bamboo flooring--replace it with glass flooring that has a bamboo texture; same goes with the hardwood laminate--repalce it with a glass floor option, too. This really puts us on the way to creating a true glass house!

Blog Week One: Technically Speaking ...

2006-12-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog--Here, I will share insights with you on a weekly basis of some of what I see, think about and experience as the editor of USGlass magazine (www.usglassmag.com). So here goes ... week one, post one.

The first week back at work after a long holiday weekend is always the toughest. One of the events to kick my week into full swing was a conference call last Monday morning that ended up lasting an hour and a half. I was driving back to work that morning from my travels of the past weekend, so I had to do the call in the car on my cell phone. I had timed my drive perfectly to make sure that at 11 a.m. I would be in area where I new the cell service would be strong. And rather than drive, talk, listen and take notes from the call all at the same time, I decided it best to find a spot where I could stop and give my full attention to the call. It all worked out so well, that when I made it to the office an hour and a half later everyone was quite surprised to hear that I had been on the cell phone during the conference call as the service and reception were so crisp and clear. That's technology, I thought.

Later in the week (yesterday, to be exact) it was time to create this blog page. It seemed easy enough at first, but then I ended up with numerous problems with setting up the login and password, then the whole page went missing. After an hour or of trying to recover my long-lost, never-been-viewed-by-anyone-but-me-site, we finally recovered it. And that, too, is technology, I thought.

Which brings me to this: Technology (for better or worse) has changed and will continue to change how we work, where we work and the projects on which we work. Your job, my job and most any other job can be done pretty much anywhere thanks to cell phones, wireless computers, the Internet, etc. I'm curious about some of the ways technological innovations have changed the way you do your job in the glass industry. You can email me at egiard@glass.com to let me know.