Roundtable and Great Glazing

Tons of educational and technical topics lead off the blog this week.   First off if you missed the webinar from the National Glass Association and Architectural Record Magazine you missed an incredible event.  The “Professional Roundtable: Perspectives on Glass and Glazing in Design” featured five brilliant minds all bringing up great point after great point with regards to energy codes, standards, performances and the glass and glazing products that can be utilized to satisfy all and advance our world.  It truly was something to take in and I especially enjoyed seeing the pictures of the projects that the panelists pointed to showing great glass and glazing in action.  The biggest takeaway for me was that we as an industry could do amazing things and reach incredible performances- all we have to do is actually do it.  Welcome the change, welcome the new and push forward. There are many people and companies who take this tact but there are still many that don’t and that includes architects unwilling to try the “new” as well.  In any case I think panels like this are only scratching the surface… which brings me to….

The final schedule for Express Learning at GlassBuild is now published and there’s a ton of incredible content but one of the big keys is the “live podcast” that the guys from Edify Studios will be doing which will be focused on disruptive change in the glass industry.  Basically what is going to be our “Uber” or other breakthrough? It’s a huge and important subject and one that will be “must attend” at the show.  The rest of the schedule is fantastic too- lots of very interesting subjects and engaging speakers. 

Elsewhere

--  On GlassBuild, seriously- if you haven’t registered yet- please make a note and do it soon.  And even bigger- get your hotel room taken care of… just go to www.glassbuild.com and it’ll take you 5 minutes.  Thank you.

--  The latest NGA Tech and Advocacy bulletin was released this week and its astonishing how much work is being done by Urmilla Sowell and the folks at NGA.  Here’s a quick smattering of what was covered and you’ll see there is a TON going on…

Laminated Glazing Reference Manual   

Products for Energy Applications 

Coastal Glazing and the Turtle Codes

Assessing the Durability of Decorative Glass

Glass Properties Pertaining to Photovoltaic Applications 

Glossary of Terms for Color and Appearance 

Proper Procedures for Cleaning Flat Glass Mirrors

Proper Procedures for Receiving, Storage and Transportation of Flat Glass Mirrors 

70 Glass Information Bulletins (GIBs) available

AIA-Approved Presentations

Glass Floors and Stairs Task Group

Measuring Color of Decorative Material in the Field

Point-Supported Glazing

Design Considerations for Use of Sealants/Adhesives with Coated Glass and Adhesives Compatibility

Understanding Reflected Solar Energy of Glazing Systems in Buildings

Updated Coated Glass AIA presentation

Engineering Standards Manual, 2019 edition

This work matters as it advances our industry… if you are interested join NGA and GET INVOLVED in the process!

--  Last this week a fun one… so I was way behind the times TV wise- just recently finished “Breaking Bad” (AWESOME TV) and now I’m catching up on “Better Call Saul” which is also fabulous.  This week as I watched an episode in season three I was excited to see a familiar glass industry product… I am pretty sure that Wood’s Powr-Grip vacuum cups were utilized… it wasn’t for glazing unfortunately but still to see a product that we in our industry use quite a bit I still enjoyed it.  You know me I watch everything for a connection back to the industry.  Not sure anyone from Wood’s still reads this blog (I miss Joe Landsverk of Wood’s- he used to read, but he passed on a few years ago, but I’m guessing he would’ve loved this story) but if you do, let me know if that was yours…

LINKS of the WEEK

Creative way that Japan is creating the medals for the next Olympics…

Comical story involving dating, sisters, and a stolen car

This is a great son doing super for his mom.  I could absolutely see my brother doing the same for our Mom when she was with us…

VIDEO of the WEEK

Couldn't get this to post... so skipping the video for the this week... sorry!

A Great Deal

There was a pretty significant deal in our world this week from the machinery side of things.  Salem Distributing acquiring HHH Tempering marries up two well-run companies with very respected leaders and strong products.  Both companies also are huge industry supporters- something I always rail about and appreciate when people step up.  I am happy for Mike Synon, Mike Willard, and everyone at these organizations.  This will be a great combo for many years.  We’ve had a ton of moves on the fabrication side in the past few years so it only makes sense that some deals on the machinery side would start growing and now we’ve had two big ones with this and the previous Glaston/Bystronic one.  

Elsewhere…

--  While I am handing out congrats on good news… how about a happy anniversary to Paul Conners of Conners Sales Group- he is celebrating his 25^th year in business!  That is awesome.  I have always been a big fan of Paul and the team he built- especially the great Lauren Anderson.  The work they do is top notch and they are always stepping up to support the industry.  Happy Anniversary Paul!

--  The Glass Magazine review is easy this month because it’s the annual Source Book.  Everything you need is in there- so don’t leave this one too far from your fingertips.  Ad of the month goes to Pulp Studios.  Love the elephant, the cute slogo that went with it and especially the Gorilla caught in a jar.  Perfect ad.  Kudos to Bernard and Lynda Lax, my buddy Kirk Johnson and everyone there involved for that one. 

Big 3 Interview- Josh Wignall, Director of Marketing, EFCO Corporation

I have a soft spot in my heart for Marketing professionals and Josh is one of the best around.  Josh has been a guy that I followed for a long time before ever meeting in person and I always came away impressed at his approach and his support of industry people and tactics.  He gets it.  Then I met him in person and he was extremely cool, so that made it better and made me want to learn more about him and what he thinks… so here goes.

 What do you see as the hottest trend in Architectural Aluminum these days?

In Architectural Aluminum, we have been seeing a lot of trends over the past few years that continue to push our industry to improve.  There has been a greater demand for sustainability in all facets of our industry.  With programs like Environmental Product Declarations (EPD’s), Health Product Declarations (HPD’s), LEED and countless other sustainability measures being pushed, we will continue to strive for ways to be transparent in our sustainability goals and ensure we aren’t having a negative impact on our environment in the process.   We have also seen accessibility requirements stay at the forefront of architect’s minds.  That all being said, with codes getting stricter, thermal efficiency will continue to dominate the spotlight for aluminum manufacturers.  Some might argue that a trend must be new to be “hot” but I’ll argue that thermal performance in our products still takes the cake.  While the U.S. has been slower to adopt as stringent of codes as Europe, we continue to see a steady push towards a net-zero energy consumption.  For this to be achievable, architectural aluminum technology must adapt.  We have seen a push to escalate efficiency plans in cities like New York recently and I’m guessing it won’t go away any time soon. 

I know when you are in Marketing you are always on the lookout for that great story or message in a project your company has done.  What’s the best story or message that you’ve worked on in your career?

I do love a great story and we are in story-rich industry with all of the amazing projects we get to be part of!  While there have been some incredible projects throughout the years, I think the best story I have been directly involved in is one about our local school district here in Monett, Missouri.  At EFCO, we do a lot of education buildings all across the nation and, as a parent, nothing makes me prouder than seeing how our products can impact the learning environment for the better!  Over the past 10 years, EFCO has worked with our local school system on replacing and adding daylighting to every building in our school district.  We worked with the superintendent to tell the story about why our local schools decided to update all of their facilities with new fenestration products.  The video segment was so much fun because we got to see firsthand how our products have helped the school meet their efficiency and student comfort goals. (Check it out: http://www.efcocorp.com/education)

  Being able to see that in my hometown where my kids are going to school really warmed my heart!  It’s easy in this industry to forget that we aren’t just building windows and doors, we are building communities.  Places for our families to learn, to grow, to eat, to work and to heal.  This story really brought all of that home for me and made me proud to work in an industry that shapes our nation for the better! 

What’s the job you had that was the most fun in your life and why (aside from your current one which I know is a blast.)

I have to admit, I’ve been pretty fortunate throughout my life to have some really fun jobs!  I worked at an old Tastee Freez (I’m not sure these are around anymore??) in high school where I served ice cream and pizza burgers.  I landscaped, worked in fast food (okay, so this one wasn’t as much fun), gave campus tours in college and even worked at a local vineyard in Iowa where I labeled, sealed and served wine!  That all being said, I would have to say the job I had the most fun in my life at was when I was a bartender in a Cuban dance club in Bristol England.  I’ll let that one sink in a bit… J When I was in college, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Wales for a semester and just absolutely loved the culture!  I loved it so much that I decided to go back the next summer and get a work visa.  One of my best friends talked me in to coming and working in his home town for the summer which just happened to be Bristol.  When I first moved over there, I didn’t know what I was going to do or where I was going to live!  I went door to door to every restaurant, office and bar that was hiring.  After many interviews and rejections, I ended up getting a job at this Cuban dance club called Fiesta Havana.  I had never bartended before, so the learning curve was large (not to mention, I never thought about how difficult it would be to understand drunk English people with loud Salsa music in the background).  I was able to find a bed available at the youth hostel down the road from the club, so I rented a bed to share a room with 10 strangers for the next 3 months.  We shared a room (bunk beds and all), bathrooms, living room and kitchen.  While my job and living arrangements were a bit stressful, there were things about this experience that I have tried to bring with me in whatever I do.  Here are the three things I loved most about this job: 1. The job was high energy.  I found that I loved being surrounded by chaos and that I loved being able to bring organization to that chaos.  As a bartender, I quickly found that I needed to prioritize and efficiently use my time because there were always 3-4 other people waiting.  I also found that staying calm with a smile on your faces goes a long way when things get tough!  These skills have helped me grow throughout my career and keep me composed when things get crazy.  2. Helping people have fun.  This job was so much fun because it was my job to make sure others were having fun.  I loved going to work each day and I found that a smile goes a long way.  To this day, making work fun is a huge priority to me!  What’s the point in working if I can’t have fun in the process? J 3. I loved the challenge!  The final thing I loved most about this job was that it provided me a daily challenge.  Not only the job of pouring drinks, taking orders and understanding drunken English accents, but the challenge of taking on a new adventure without knowing the results.  This job allowed me to test my abilities, stretch my comfort levels and grow as a result.  I may not be able to make a killer mojito anymore, but the lessons I learned about hard work and fun still carry on with me today!

LINKS of the WEEK

Breaking Bad is one of my favorite shows of all time… but even this story about the newest alternative to Meth wouldn’t make that show

WILD story about a woman tracking down her own stolen car.  Good stuff

Great 5K time here.. by a 96 year old!

VIDEO of the WEEK

This reporter absolutely RULES!

This is why we love Darla Miles 😆 #smooth pic.twitter.com/cXdNTNE4HM

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) July 4, 2019

Podcast Plus

I enjoy whole range of podcasts and our industry has a brand new one from the guys from Edify Studios.  Brad Walker and Brad Glauser of Edify do a great job with it and to date have had some very interesting guests and topics.  This week’s edition is close to my heart as it’s a special edition about Mercedes Benz Stadium and features Tom O’Malley of Clover Architectural, Court Reece of Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope.  They give a great inside story to the glass and glazing products on this amazing structure.  Well worth the watch/listen.  You can download in podcast form via Apple or Android or for an easy watch and listen- here it is on YouTube.

Elsewhere…

--  Remember only a few more days to go to get entered in the VIP Tour of Mercedes Benz Stadium.  So if you have not registered for GlassBuild yet, do it now to be eligible.  Aside from the awesome glass and glazing you’ll also see all the great pieces of the stadium including locker rooms and field!  This is a tremendous opportunity and experience!

--  The Dodge Momentum Index was up nicely for June and that surely calmed some nerves with the way things had been trending both with this index and the ABI.  We are still slower pace and performance wise than last year and there are still signs of soft times coming in the 2^nd half of the year but we’ll take a positive report like this any time.

--  Loving a new list... top15 vacation spots in US and there’s some stunners on here… here’s top 10 though

10- Honolulu- Higher on list if you see my main man Lyle Shimazu or the great Earnest Thompson

9- Austin, TX- For the weird in you

8- Asheville, NC- I have never been.  Guess I need to!

7- Nashville, TN- Incredibly hot now- BEC there in 2020 proves it right?

6- Chicago, IL- To me this is overrated- Sorry my pals from the Windy City….

5- New York City- I can see it, so much to do etc.  So much energy.

4- Savannah, GA- I like it but is it really 4^th best??

3- New Orleans, LA- Nope.  Not for me.

2- Santa Fe, NM- Wow- help me out anyone who’s gone- is this really that good?

1-Charleston, SC- Love it, great place… Is it #1 though???

But for me… how is San Diego not in top 10??  I’d make it #1 probably. 

Big 3 Interview

Eric Fortin, General Manager, Northwestern Glass Fab

I only recently got to meet Eric Fortin and immediately I said to myself “this would be a great interview” and sure enough it was.  As you can see below Eric has got it together!  I love that this is someone that was from outside the industry and has now come in and made a serious difference.  Talent like what Eric possesses is crucial for our well-being and growth as an industry and I look forward to getting to know him better and also seeing him at the various industry events!

I have to start with your time in the United States Army.  You were a Troop Commander with some serious responsibilities.  What was that time like for you and how often do you use the lessons and experiences gained there in your daily work at Northwestern Glass Fab?

I have to first give kudos to mentors. I met a very influential gentlemen during college who helped me understand what leadership is all about. He was the first real leader I had ever met. This gentlemen’s name is Mr. Wilbur Wolf III. Mr. Wolf helped me to determine that joining the Army as an active duty officer was the right thing for me to learn about myself, leadership and how to lead people. Once I was in the Army it was a dream of mine to one day lead a cavalry troop. Over the years I worked my tail off and positioned myself to make that dream come true. I was fortunate to be a troop commander for a unit that was resetting from a previous deployment to again deploy. I say fortunate because the timing was such that I took command of the unit in Colorado and immediately prepared to deploy. As the commander the other leaders and I trained, deployed and then returned the unit to Colorado. In my opinion, if you are going to lead soldiers, this is the perfect scenario and challenge. The responsibilities as a commander are significant. As a commander of a deployed unit, you are truly responsible for people’s lives.

My apologies, but before I respond to your question I have to again be appreciative to mentors who helped me take what I learned from the Army as a leader and to apply it to the business and manufacturing environment. I was extremely fortunate to be invited to be a part of an absolute world class company in the glass business. This company has a history of taking ex-military leaders and helping them make the transition to manufacturing. The experiences they provided helped me to establish a foundation of what “right looks like” in successful business organizations. Without two mentors who offered me this opportunity, I more than likely would not be in the glass industry. That company is Cardinal Glass and those two gentlemen are Dave Pinder and Mike Arntson. Like the military, I tap into my experiences with Dave and Mike at Cardinal every single day.

The largest lesson that I learned from my time in the military and that I apply daily is perspective. As stressful as some days can be, a tough day at work today isn’t really that bad. It could be always be worse. In general, everyone will go home to their friends and families at the end of each day. I also apply the lessons of patience, but decisiveness, to maintain flexibility because most things change and do not go the way you want or planned. Also, to let leaders lead. As often as I can I try to give my leaders my intent and then let them lead their teams. This allows them to be creative in accomplishing the goal.  Everyone learns a ton when leaders are given the freedom to own and accomplish an objective with their teams. Lastly, I learned about taking care of people. We are all in the people business. If you take care of people, they will take care of you.

Your company (Northwestern Glass Fab) could be considered a “start up” still with only being 3 years old.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of being so “new” to the marketplace?  I also ask this, as I know you have “start up” experience in your past, so this was not your first adventure.

            I want to start with how lucky I am to be a part of the Brin Glass companies. This is such a fantastic bunch of people. I truly have the very best boss in Bill Sullivan. Anyone who knows Bill understands what I mean when I say this. Northwestern Glass Fab as a part of Brin Glass has been around since 1912. Three years ago NWGF separated from the Brin Glass Company to once again be known simply as Northwestern Glass Fab, instead of Brin Northwestern. This meant moving to a new standalone location and to establish itself as a standalone profit and loss division. A lot of the changes made since I’ve joined the company were very much in order to start over. What used to work very well no longer works. We hit reset and I believe we are now postured for growth and another 100 years of success. I’m so very proud of my team during the past 16 months. Change and culture change is not easy. Our success is truly due to the team for having an open mind, patience and the will to fight through adversity.

Fun one… what is your all time favorite movie… or movies if you can’t just choose one and why? 

            I was a business and history major in college and I am kind of a space geek. With that, my favorite movies are Apollo 13 and the recent Apollo 11. I am always impressed with what it took to put humans in space and on the moon. It took fantastic teamwork, dedication and a constant fight against adversity. The people who accomplished these wonderful feats were so smart and committed. It always impresses me when I watch those movies. Before I die I hope to one day truly understand what a black hole truly is.

LINKS of the WEEK

This is great to see... Renewables where it can really be used!

It is amazing that she thought that this was a good idea.

Surviving Niagara Falls!

VIDEO of the WEEK

Has to be the video of the Edify Podcast mentioned above!  Check it out!

Free Agency

So the NBA is in the middle of free agency where player’s contracts expire and they can move to a new team.  It also seems to be the same way in our industry with a ton of folks moving from one company to another in the last several weeks.  Change can be good and refreshing but I have to say this is the most movement I have seen in a short time in my years in this industry.  It will be interesting to see if our movement continues or if this was just a blip on the radar.  And meanwhile yes I am thrilled that Kawhi Leonard went to the Clippers vs. the Lakers. 

Elsewhere…

--  The Architectural Billings Index barely stayed in positive zone last month, but it did.  The Northeast is the drag right now, which will be something to watch next year to see if they get softer in those areas.  The big news?  Firms that specialize in commercial and architectural were up nicely- so that bodes well for the majority of our industry.

--  If you are coming to GlassBuild (and you better be) time is PERFECT to register NOW because the contest that is running currently is an awesome one.  Register before July 18^th and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a custom VIP Tour of the fascinating Mercedes Benz Stadium right next to where GlassBuild is held.  This stadium is incredible and well worth seeing.  Major props to the great folks from Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope and Clover Architectural Products.  The supplied their products on and inside the building and they are sponsoring this contest and helping with the tours.  This is a great way to round out your Atlanta trip- so register and get in the contest!! 

--  Also on GlassBuild… initial schedule for EXPRESS LEARNING is out and guess what… I am not on it!  So the education won’t be sullied by my presence this year.  There’s a ton there but the one right now that I think will draw a massive crowd is Chris Phillips laying out “Best and Most Interesting Shower Enclosures” of 2019. I have been seeing some of the candidates he may show and if you’re in the shower game, its worth seeing what made the lists- plus Chris is all over the trends too- don’t miss it.

Big 3 Interview

Wardi Bisharat, Architectural Glass Sales at PRL Glass Systems and Aluminum.

I was really lucky to get to work with Wardi when I was at Vitro America years ago.  Wardi is not only one of the most talented people in our business but she’s also a really cool person too.  To me she was always upbeat and positive and she has an energy about her that just exudes greatness.  When I asked her to do this interview she noted she’s different in person than on paper- but I disagree- she’s right on track with the insights. (The rise of laminated- so on target)  And she’s solves the debate that some people may have on who’s got the best French Fries out there…

Possibly an easy one to start… What are some of the biggest differences in architectural glass space now vs. when you started? 

·      The quantity of furnaces and glass fabricators.

·      The vast variety of low-e coatings and the availability of coating on various substrates; exotics (I love that word)

·      The rise in demand for laminated options.

·      I have had the privilege of exceptional training over the years to keep up with the changing products.

You’ve been at PRL for almost 2 years now after several years at companies owned by large ownership groups.  What’s it like to be back in family business style of ownership?  Was there any adjusting needed to settle in at PRL?

We have 4 owners and over 500 employees at one location. It is a very impressive operation with an amazing amount of talent. The owners are hands on and work as hard if not harder than the rest of us here.

I did not bring a backlog with me and started from zero, as you know in our commercial world it can take 2 + years from time of bid to start of a project, that was really hard for me.

Fun one to end… top 3 “must have” food choices and why… mine would depend if I am dieting or not…LOL

#1 Salads and they are not always healthy or low calorie.

#2 Avocados – love them on everything

#3 McDonald’s French Fries – what can I say, I have a weakness for them.

Thank you Wardi- you continue to be one of the best around!

LINKS of the WEEK

Tremendous way to get attention to get something fixed!

Best penalty ever for a crime? 

This is a very cool way to help the schools

VIDEO of the WEEK

THIS is the way to do yard work!  (Click link- couldn't Embed)

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/BraveImperturbableAntlion-mobile.mp4