Happy 2013! Hope
everyone out there had a wonderful holiday season. I have to ask… Did January 2nd
seem busier and more intense than the normal return from holiday? It sure felt that way to me! I think because
of the way Christmas fell, that so many people were off after Friday the 21st,
that folks returned en mass on the 2nd and man what a crazy day it
was. In any case, I am looking forward
to 2013, as there’s a lot to watch for.
Will the ABI be right? Will the
economy grow, stagger, or stay the same?
Will there be more consolidation in our industry? Will there be product
breakthroughs? Will new stars in our
world be made? These and other questions
will be answered below and in future weeks on the blog. I for one can’t wait to get to it!
Elsewhere
-- Before I go forward, just a note to go back to. For readers of my blog via “e glass weekly” I
did have a post before the holidays and it can be found HERE. I gave out some kudos on the marketing side
to the fine folks at TGP, YKK, Guardian, Kawneer, Cardinal, and PPG. Plus I hit some NFL talk, and another green smack
down, so feel free to check it out.
-- OK on to 2013… I think the ABI is going to be wrong. I will still follow it, report on it and hope
that when its good it’s right, but I have a feeling they are just going to be
off. I think the economy stays somewhat
the same as 2012 but starts to improve later in the year. That said I have no clue what is really
happening in DC as I chose to ignore the stories the last few weeks of the
year. I finally got sick enough of it,
to just avoid it. Absolutely there’s more consolidation coming. Trulite made the first move in 2013 (an
excellent one by the way), and I think several others are coming from them and
others. If the rumor mill is any
indication, I think this has potential to be a very active year.
Product breakthroughs will continue- I am constantly amazed
at what people have in development. I am
pumped for GlassBuild America as I know a few of these technologies will be on
display at their Innovative Product Pavilion.
And yes I believe new stars are being made in our world- I have plans to
interview a few of these folks who are really making inroads in our world- I am
excited for the rest of the industry to get to know them to. End of the day, I am excited for this year,
despite those economic unknowns I still feel like its going to be a positive
year and if we keep creating great new technology, and introducing smart and
capable people, our industry will be heading in the right direction for
sure.
-- No my new years resolution was NOT to be sappy, but that
paragraph above sure was. Ha ha. Actually this year is no Ice Cream. I’ll skip it.
2012 I skipped Pizza and am proud to say I made it. Never thought I could. Somehow I gained a ton of weight becoming the
only human to swear off pizza and gain like I ate it every day!
-- Big news… right before the break, Guardian Industries
announced a new leader and the completion of their deal with Koch Industries.
This is a great deal for Guardian and more importantly our industry. Guardian is a massive player and a supporter
of so much of what we do whether its trade media, shows, sponsorships,
education etc. They are an excellent
corporate citizen and now even better with the addition of a strong company
like Koch in their world. To me as an
industry observer, if a company that didn’t “make things” like Koch does was
the investor, I would be worried, but this fit is really good and smart. Congrats to all involved.
-- Last, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the change at the
top of Trulite. The old me would go off
for about 700 words. The new me is more
measured, soft, and sappy. (And fatter
too, dang it) I will only say that I was
actually surprised by the ousting of Jeff Leone because I thought after all
this time in charge he had ridden the storm out. I now look forward to seeing how the new
regime does and wish them the best of luck, as there’s still a bunch of
excellent people in that organization.
LINKS of the WEEK
-- For my fellow readers who fly a ton… a story you have heard
but doubtful you have ever seen a picture like this.
-- I am one of those people who don’t like to fly Southwest (I
am in the minority there I believe) but after this news, I may have company.
-- Interesting list on “banned words” – good read.
-- Wow there’s also a tariff on wire hangers…. crazy eh?
VIDEO of the WEEK
My good friend Pat Pickrell sent me this incredible video on
the VW plant in Germany that is something to behold. Thank you Pat!
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