Hanging Tough

Resilience.  If there is a word that accurately describes the glass and glazing industry right now it’s that one.  Over the past week plus I have been on the phone with many different players in our world talking about GlassBuild Connect (which I am thrilled to report that the positive reaction and enthusiasm has been amazing) and when I ask them how they are holding up the answers are all in the same vein. “We’re hanging in there and fighting through it all.” Or “Staying busy and doing all we can to stay that way.” Resilience.  While I hear about other industries having companies fall by the wayside or have several actively looking to sell, for the most part our world has followed a dogged determination path to not let all they have worked for falter.  And I love it.  I love that people continue to pivot and innovate to meet the times and I just love the overall attitude that so many are putting out there right now. Obviously we are still in the heart of the adventure- and with what looks to a renewal of the virus in some areas we may even see stringent lockdowns again, but so far none of that is stopping the core of our world from getting it done.  And that is simply awesome.  

Elsewhere…

--  I was also thrilled this week to get the news that Virginia Glass Products hired James Wright as their Corporate Sales Manager.  James is one of my all time favorites, great guy and a super sharp talent.  He’s going to do great there as it’s a perfect match of skill set and culture.  

--  I was on the Top Glass Conference online this past week and the talent on display there was incredible. The highlight of that conference for me was the “Young Professionals” panel that featured a strong group led by former Glass Industry MVP Nathalie Thibault.  That panel provided some excellent insights into our industry from voices that may not be heard as constantly as others.  Glass Canada and Patrick Flannery did a tremendous job on this event- and I hope that next year when it goes back to being in person I’ll be there for it!

--  Cool Webinar Alert- The folks at Wakefield Equipment have one this Thursday that is worth checking out- How to Quickly & Simply Automate Your Fenestration Business.  I love seeing things like this because automation is so crucial going forward and if you are not thinking about it you are missing out.  Here’s the LINK to join the session.

--  Those who know me know I love lists… so when I saw a list of the 10 best American cities for architecture, I was all in.  The rundown had some obvious ones and some surprises- foremost among them my “home” city of Detroit made the cut.  Did not see that coming.  I was also happy to see Philadelphia on the list because somehow I think that city is underrated architecture wise.  On the flip side I will never understand the love for San Francisco’s architecture- just doesn’t cut it for me.  Awful.  And I may be biased but Pittsburgh deserved a spot.  The whole list and background can be found HERE.

--  Last this week… the show “Hamilton”  I finally got to see it now that it is streaming and it did not disappoint. Tremendous experience there and for me I was blown away by the layers of the choreography.  Not the dancing style of it, but the way the show moved and flowed, it was awesome to watch.  I still want to see it in person in its traditional form some day but I am thrilled to get this view of it.  If you have not seen it yet, it does live up to the hype in my opinion. 

LINKS of the WEEK

This is amazing.  What did you do while locked down?  I bet you didn’t build a boat in your living room like this guy!

A tease does this no justice- just click it.

I love this part of South Carolina and want to move there but man if the Gators are this close; no way my better half goes for that.

PROJECT of the WEEK

Found this on LinkedIn feed of the great Josh Wignall of EFCO.   This is an in process beauty by the folks at Sunrise Erectors for the new Somerville High School in Massachusetts.  Curtain Wall and Storefront by EFCO with glass fabricated by Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope.  Love the design and look- and yes I would prefer more glass- but I still think it’s the glazing that makes the project standout.  Congrats to all involved here!