When it comes to automation, one area of our industry that has taken advantage of it are the fabricators. Years ago those companies who put in an automated IG line had some sort
of halo effect- they were above and beyond.
Now it’s commonplace. And the
next steps of automation continue with advanced robotics. Especially with many of the exhibits I saw
at glasstec and figure to see at GlassBuild America- more and more fabrication
plants are becoming more reliant on the robotic/automated side of things. But what about the glazier? Is installing framing and glass
robot-proof? I have to think it is. Obviously I am talking about field fab and
install and not unitized. So does that
mean that unitizing is going to keep along the growth path and become a
majority of the style of material installed?
I am curious on what the glazing community thinks on that and will be
one of the questions I’ll be asking when I see everyone in a few weeks in Las
Vegas. If you want to chime in ahead of
time on automation, unitized, and the glazier- please drop me a line.
Elsewhere…
-- My friend Gary Tongco of FreMarq Innovations sent me this excellent article on the continued growth of green and sustainable
projects. Many companies like Gary’s
truly get it with the focus on advanced performance and I think the days of
just having only “everyday” sorts of products are waning.
-- The Vitro acquisition of PPG went official last week. I’m interested to monitor the next steps for
the new Vitro Architectural Glass. Obviously Vitro announcing a jumbo coater is
surely a signal of some serious desire to grow the space.
-- I did have to laugh when I saw the Pittsburgh Penguins arena
is changing its name from Consol Energy Center to PPG Paints Arena. PPG PAINTS.
I guess they had to make sure the word PAINTS got in there in case one
of us lowly glass people got confused eh?
Funny thing is reading many of the message boards; many in the real
world have no idea PPG is not in the glass space anymore. So they were commenting like crazy on why the
word “paints” was so dominant. Example comment:
“What about the glass… doesn’t PPG stand for “Pittsburgh
Plate Glass?” I guess the commenters are not reading my blog eh?
-- Glass Magazine is the official media partner of this week’s
Façade Tectonics Institute World Congress.
The agenda looks outstanding and the show is promoting itself as one
that goes deep into the info and not just a place for the “starchitect.” Unfortunately I won’t be there in person but
knowing between Glass Magazine’s awesome twitter feed and that of John Wheaton
(who I saw on twitter is attending) I am positive I will at least get as much flavor
as possible. Events like this one can
serve a great purpose in our industry for providing significant high level
insight that is needed for us to keep pushing the envelope further.
-- Last this week… a Happy Thanksgiving to my friends in the awesome country of Canada. Hope everyone enjoys with their family and friends and can give thanks to all we are so fortunate to have!
LINKS of the WEEK
Tremendous article on the real cost of EpiPens and ideas
that could reduce it (but the owner never will.) It’s insane how the drug
companies have such a free pass in our world.
(And on a side note, I am nervously waiting to see if my insurance is
renewed for next year and at what increase… another depressing part of life)
So this High School team should really play up a division or
two. The fact that hasn’t been done is
all on the area admin’s sound asleep at the wheel.
A link to some seriously unhealthy foods… like a sandwich
with 100 strips of bacon on it… and more…
VIDEO of the WEEK
When Shep Smith decides to go waaaay overboard with his
advice… I think just advising to get
evacuate would do…
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