Are we there yet? If you have kids and ever did a road trip with them, those are 4 words you surely heard… a lot. Now I hear them from customers and suppliers in various regions and segments of our industry as it pertains to the economy and our industry. Some locales and specialties are doing better than others but the folks that are suffering are constantly asking if we hit bottom yet. Are we there yet? No, in my opinion not yet. But I believe we are close. The residential industry is starting to see positive signs (and don’t tell me it’s because of 30/30 either… it may be from the stimulus, but that inane plan actually did a ton more damage than help) and with some new energy related technology gaining traction, we may be “there” hopefully sooner than later…
Elsewhere…
-- The latest Greg Carney update is very promising. Greg is actually up and around and has even talked with some of the folks at GANA. Pretty dang awesome if I do say so myself… We’ll know for sure when he is recovered when he starts reading blogs again… in any case the news has been good and that means the good, solid positive thoughts and prayers that went to Greg were answered!
-- Saw that the GICC announced some new folks into their version of a “Hall of Fame”- a major congrats to those guys… but it makes even more excited for when USGlass brings back the “Hall of Fame” for our industry. We have so many great candidates and really people that deserve the honor, recognition and credit due them for their efforts and impact on the industry.
-- USGNN ran a story last week on a survey done by PPG of architects and their desires. One of the fascinating areas was that the need for ENERGY STAR compliance was high on the list. Which leads to the following questions: Were these folks residential architects? Were they confusing the question when it comes to ENERGY STAR? (maybe thinking of washers and dryers?) Could they really not know that there’s no commercial ENERGY STAR? See that last one is the rub… if an architect thinks that there’s a commercial window version of ENERGY STAR, well that’s pretty scary… It’s coming, you can be assured of that… because someone at DOE will be awake long enough to try and get that program going. But as of now it does not exist- so the fact that an architect may consider a program that does not exist yet an “important attribute” is downright frightening. Oh and the self serving part of the survey… it was funny when they noted that PPG was recognized as the green leader by 33% over its nearest competitor. Of course they would since they have the name recognition (especially since most architects still spec things like Polar Pane and Spectrum etc..) but I’d have to wonder if Viracon and Kawneer were listed as options, no way would that total bear out. Hell I think some architects spec those guys to put in toilets they love them so much.
-- Man summer is weak for TV…. I wish they’d save Survivor or Amazing Race for summer…
-- Stanley Cup is coming around the corner and hopefully my beloved Penguins will be there again… and if it’s a rematch with the Red Wings, I will once again be an enemy in my neighborhood and my house will be subject to all of the great abuse from the Detroit fans… hopefully though this year the Pens will pull it off… Still as I write this both Pittsburgh and Detroit need to clinch and hopefully I have not jinxed them.
-- Hope everyone had a good Memorial Day and hopefully everyone took a little time to pay a thought to the incredible men and women who have protected us from evil. Every current member of the forces and every veteran deserve your respect and good thoughts. Without them, we would never have the freedom to do all we do…
Off to the LINKS…
-- Living in Michigan is good for a few things… the weather for 3 months out of the year is awesome… and the bizarre Detroit City Council is always good for laughs… this week.. a City Council member only paying $68 in taxes on her house… and saying she did it because why would she question a bill like that? Story is here and it’s pretty comical…
-- Beware the evils of texting… the New York Times takes a look…
-- The “Link Chick” checks in with an awesome and cool one… check out these pictures that look seriously photoshopped… but they are not… wow.
Book of the WEEK…
“Bust” by Adam Resnick… the story of a very sick compulsive gambler and one that ended up losing millions and going to jail because of his addiction. Pretty riveting read and while some of the story you would say “no way” the author sells it well. It is a true story by the way. Thanks to my brother for lending the book.
Video of the WEEK…
A very huge hockey hit that blows up the glass… always fun to see when you are in the business… but oddly did you know that at the United Center (home of the Blackhawks) that they use PLASTIC for their “Glass” along the boards? What’s going on there? Are there no tempered suppliers there? I mean that’s sacrilegious!
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