Seeing Clear

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Resolutions

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

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

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

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

My week in Phoenix...

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

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

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

As always, we welcome your comments and feedback.

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

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

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

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

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

Creative Building

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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

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 ...

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.

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.

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

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 ...

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

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.

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

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

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.

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 ...

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

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

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

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.