And the winner is....

Last week I noted the handful of people who were considered for the 2014 Industry MVP award, but did not eventually get it.  The time has now come to recognize the winner and like some other mainstream publications have done in the past, I went a little non-traditional with the choice this year.  Instead of picking a person, I actually am picking a company.  I looked at everything this company did this past year, its continued support of the industry and its growth, and to me it was a slam-dunk.  And because it’s a company known for a team effort, I couldn’t just pick one person out.  So I decided to recognize the whole lot (though I will mention one individual below.)  The winner this year of the “From the Fabricator Industry MVP” is... CR Laurence.  From an industry standpoint CRL is always there- at every show and event, always supporting, even though in many cases they probably don’t have to.  But I believe and have been told, they do it because it’s the right thing to do industry-wise.  I sincerely hope it continues.   From a product standpoint, more excellent innovations this year including a unitized curtain wall and window system unveiled at AIA that has game changing potential.  Plus their software releases are huge as well.  And yes when it comes to people, CRL delivers there too- so many make a difference- case in point a guy like Brad Thurman is as impressive as they come.   I've seen Brad in action and he represents his company and this industry with absolute class.  And he’s just one of many there that do a great job, led by excellent ownership and management.  So there you have it, a little different than the typical, but in my opinion a company that deserves the props. 

Elsewhere…

--  The new Glass Magazine is fantastic and one column is a must read.  Please check out Katy Devlin’s piece on the transportation issues facing our industry.  It is worth your time. 

--  I know I am harping on the transportation issue and on the glass capacity issue-and I am told other writers are taking the opposite of my insight on a few of these items, but I continue to talk with people every day, those that are in the trenches, and these issues ARE real.  I guess you can choose which magazine or writer to believe, but when it comes to the best interests of this industry, I feel like I have your backs.  And again what’s the worst thing that can happen, you get ultra organized? 

--  Well just one more blog scheduled for 2014… will the big deal I have been talking about for the last few weeks happen?  It did get very quiet last week on it.  Maybe it’s the calm before the storm or maybe we have a “runaway bride” and the deal was iced.  We shall see.  If/when the deal does happen, I’ll blog about it regardless.

--  Last week I attended a semi-interesting webinar on green building.  For the most part the confidence of continued green building growth is still very strong.  A few tidbits I found interesting… China’s 3 Star energy program passed LEED to become the 2^nd most popular energy related standard in the world.  (Energy Star in the US is #1)… Plus did you know that Singapore offers a rebate for retrofitting buildings to become energy efficient?  I did not… an incentive here surely would be nice.  This last item was big given that the analysts on the webinar felt that the move to green growth was now more about financial advantages than environmental.

--  Last this week… for the first time in my life I hurt my back.  And I can tell you I have no idea how those of you with chronic back problems do it.  You all are my heroes.  My goodness this is brutal and I hope temporary, as I have little to no pain tolerance…

LINKS of the WEEK

I love stories like this… classy and considerate!

Comical link- what if guys acted like girls on Instagram?

This was one of the first apps I ever added… and now the fade of Angry Birds

VIDEO of the WEEK

Well I have seen some crazy things on a golf course but never a baboon.