Positive Report

I am known for my very bad sports predictions (the fact I got the Super Bowl teams right this year notwithstanding) but I am usually pretty confident with my industry and forecast prognostications.  So last week here I predicted an uptick on the Architectural Billings Index (ABI). Everything I was seeing was pointing that way and I went cautious predicting a slight jump to 46/47.  Welp… I was wrong.  But not like you would think- the ABI came in at a stunning 53.3! The score of 50 is the break even and so this score not only shot past that but did so for the first time since this pandemic began.  New project inquiries also went through the roof posting a 61.2 and new contracts posted a nice 51.6.  All in all, a super report.  Now the key is making this the trend and not an outlier.  There’s been a ton of pent-up demand and starts have been off etc.- so this was due and now we have to see if it can be sustained.  But in a world that seemingly is constantly giving us bad news- this is a good turn, and I am pleased I was somewhat “wrong” here!  Keep plugging along everyone- we have a long road ahead of us still but this sure was nice to see.

 

Elsewhere…

 

--  Huge retirement in our industry with Rick Butcher hanging them up after more than 40 years at Binswanger Glass.  Rick is a Texas legend- a tremendous man and one of the most talented and classy leaders I have ever worked for and with.  Rick- have a great retirement my friend- you deserved it and the industry and the Texas markets you served will surely miss you!

 

--  Time for the latest Glass Magazine review.  This was the Top Fabricator issue and I have been blown away on how many people checked out the Dan Pompeo inspired feature on Randy Steinberg of Glasswerks.  That is very cool.  The rest of the issue is a monster with a ton of great content on the Top Glass Fabricators and the markets they serve.  Plus, Katy Devlin’s Top 5 Decorative Trends were absolutely on point. Great issue once again!

 

--  The Ad of the Month again was hotly contested with Vitro coming out on top.  Rob Struble nails it again with a sleek ad that honestly is like nothing I have seen before in our industry.  The color, font, and messaging just delivered.  Tremendous work by Rob and the team there to create a stunner.  See the ad on the back cover and the entire awesome edition online HERE

 

--  Good news for a company I see big things coming from… Ubiquitous Energy has a very impressive product approach and they recently picked up some very healthy funding to keep their processes rolling.  As you may know I LOVE innovation and glass and this is a company that has something is very special.  Happy to see them get some good news!

 

--  Friendly reminder… you have until April 9^thto check out the episodes in BEC PRESENTS for free HERE.  The content is unreal.  The detail from the code experts (Episode name “Decoded”) given in such a short period of time is insanely valuable.  Also, if you don’t believe me, then read what marketing savant Rich Porayko thought HERE.

 

--  Last this week… documentary recommendation.  Check out “Operation Varsity Blues” on Netflix.  It is about the big college admissions scandal from a couple of years ago.  Very well-done doc and the whole process of the way colleges work will really get you fired up.  This doc has plenty of bad actors in it from the scammers, to the parents, to the schools and so on.  Absolutely unreal what “status” means and what people will do to attain it.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

 

LINKS of the WEEK

 

--  This story is worth clicking for the headline alone…

 

--  I saw this one and aside from being petty, I also thought about the coin shortage we have in the US right now- this surely didn’t help.

 

--  GREAT story about a dog and finding a new home and pal!

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

I had mentioned this company a few weeks ago on another story but they had another project that popped up in my timeline and was extremely impressive.  This is a fabulous one from Ipswich Bay Glass and honestly their LinkedIn writeup is probably better than anything I can say- so here it is below but kudos to the team there and hey whomever manufactured and fabricated this glass- step up you deserve props too!

From Ipswich Bay Glass LinkedIn

Sure the silhouettes at Assembly Row 5B are really cool, but you know what’s also cool? IBG’s channel glazing that’s right next to them! The cast glass channel provides structural rigidity and an unobstructed, obscure source of light while retaining privacy without the need for vertical mullions.
IBG Solutions: Unitized curtainwall, pre-glazed two-story punched curtainwalls, rainscreen terracotta tiles, composite aluminum panels, corrugated panels, aluminum entrances, custom aluminum rooftop trellis

Architect: Jacobs
GC: Cranshaw Construction

 

 

The Tightening of Supply

It has been on the radar for a while, and now it’s time to say it again.  Everything is getting tighter.  What I mean by that is there’s not many areas in the supply chain that are chock full of inventory.  On my recent podcast (CLICK HERE to view or HERE to listen only) I lead off by talking about this issue specifically on the glass side and the various issues that are causing some pain.  Check that out and then keep in mind what I constantly preach here- communication is so crucial.  Make sure you are working closely with your supply chain and communicating downstream too. It will make a difference in the long run.  In the meantime I still think we are better off than the folks in other building product trades, so at least that is a small positive. 

 

Elsewhere…

 

--  On March 22^nd and lasting only until April 9^th, the new BEC PRESENTS series is being released.  5 episodes that are perfectly timed to either be binged all at once or done over the few weeks  they’ll be available.  For me I am excited to see the State of the Industry one- three unbelievable industry titans on there with Oliver Stepe of YKK, Tim Kelley of Tristar and Troy Johnson of Harmon.  That will be awesome.  The other episodes are no slouches either.  I worked on the legal one with Brian Carroll and his advice and insight into our world post COVID is strong.  The Real Estate piece will be fascinating because that is an area that all of us need to learn more on.  The “Code Breaker” episode where the best consultants in the land crack a tough code case?  Yeah, sign me up there.  And last but not least the special feature recapping the Tech Tables is a must-see resource.  So check them all out from March 22^nd to April 9^th!  And kudos to the team at NGA who worked crazy hard to pull off something new and different for this and especially to video editing wizard Melissa Fischer for making it look incredible, including me being the fastest I have ever been!  (When you watch the legal one, you’ll see what I mean!)

 

--  Sat in on a great presentation this past week from the folks at Goldray.  It was for the Mosiac Wall System and while I had gotten a good low down on it from Cathie Saroka on my 2^nd podcast, this was a much deeper dive.  Really interesting innovation that makes our industry look great.  Fantastic job by Laura Little on the presentation- she has an energy that just bursts through the screen, and big-time props to Lisa Maragh, Goldray’s Engagement Specialist who set up the most inviting session- from the initial reach out, through all the communication, it was really different and well done.  

 

--  Loved seeing this news about Don Friese.  Mr. Friese, who has done so much for our industry (and continues to do so with his support of things like MyGlassClass) along with his wife Andrea Friese, donated a $50 million gift to Providence Tarzana Foundation, a transformational donation that will support the expansion and renovation of Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.  Absolutely awesome move from a class person and family.

 

--  The next Architectural Billings Index is released this week and I am going to go out on a limb and predict it will be up- but still not over the break-even point of 50.  I’m thinking in the 46/47 range.  Basically, at this point an upward trend with the number is all I want, and I think the metrics are there to support but we will see…. 

 

--  Last this week… This is the sort of hopeful news I think we all like to see right now.  University of Michigan back at it with a massive hospital build.  Love to see it.  Given both my kids were born at U of M and just this week my nephew was accepted into a medical residency there- I’d say I’m loving everything about that school.  GO BLUE!

 

LINKS of the WEEK

An undefeated team that doesn’t make the basketball big dance?  Brutal beat on the rules…

 

Whoa!  While I am an Ohio Bobcat (grad) I surely wouldn’t want to see an ACTUAL bobcat this close to my home! (and note- I am still on Cloud 9 with Ohio winning over Virginia- wow!)

 

As if we don’t have enough to worry about with our electronics- but can your texts be stolen this easily?

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

So my man Tim Finely of T.Fin Architectural has been red hot as of late.  He was on the always awesome John Wheaton “Creating Structure” podcast (listen here) and he also gets my coveted “Project of the Week” space for a project that he posted out there and was heavily involved in.  This is Sammons Financial, and the interior is outstanding thanks to Livers Bronze and a custom railing system.  The exterior is strong & stunning too with SAGE Glass’ Harmony product. The look of that Harmony is very neat)  Just an awesome project- great design by SVPA and installation from the fine folks at Forman Ford.  Congrats to all and Tim, just remember us little folks as you keep rolling along!

 

 

 

Impressive Industry Minds on Display

The March edition of the From the Fabricator podcast is now LIVE.  This release is a bit earlier than normal because I didn’t want to conflict with the episode drops from BEC Presents coming next week, so I hope you’ll still make room in your listening/viewing schedule for all!  This month I start out with a commentary on a very big issue facing our industry and then go into three very cool interviews.  Kendal Rowe of Rowe Fenestration leads off and she is an absolute star- a relatively new addition to our industry but with family roots long in it.  Then I connect with Josh Burg of Glass Enterprises.  This guy is so incredibly sharp and he really “gets it” at every level.  Impressive man.  Last, I catch up with Brian Thomas of Super Sky.  Brian is a fantastic talent and leader and the work that he and the team do at Super Sky is jaw dropping.  Plus some fun stuff at the end.  To watch it via YouTube and to see some impressive glass and glazing projects CLICK HERE.  To find it as an audio file that you can listen to on your walks or commutes you can either search your favorite podcast app or go to this page.  Thank you for the support!

 

Elsewhere….

 

--  I had a post on LinkedIn last week that did very well, and it was all because Jodi Martinez of All Star Glass shared a post promoting the fact that we all really need to be pushing and promoting trade schools with as much passion as we push traditional college.  I was excited that the post accumulated a lot of action because it was nice to see I (and obviously Jodi) are not alone in our thinking that this is something that culturally we have to address.  For some there is a stigma that trade or technical schools are not as good and that is so wrong and needs to be changed.  I think we should all keep in our mind as we talk to youngsters that are in high school and we ask what their plans are for the future, make them aware of the trade route and how good it truly can be.

 

--  Good news from the last Dodge Momentum Index with its best score in a long time.  Some pent-up demand broke loose and that was nice to see.  We still have some slower pockets to deal with out there and I know some on the commercial side are now getting frustrated/worried that we are slower than we are used to- but signs like these are ones for us to point to.  In the meantime, we keep hustling….

 

--  Congrats to the fine folks at Q-Railing on the addition of another location in the US- this time in Orlando, FL.  Jan Hulin and his team there are really rolling, and I love the growth and the excitement around that product segment.  Orlando joins Tustin, CA and Brooklyn, NY as the US locations for Q.

 

--  As mentioned above and also last week BEC Presents has episodes dropping on March 22.  Fun way to inform and educate and plus you may get some shots of me taking on a monster task…. So get ready to check it out.

 

--  Also coming up is the next Thirsty Thursday and that is this Thursday the 18th and the title is: Understanding the Tech Tables: NGA's Engineering Standards Manual and Heavy Glass Door Design Guide.  If you have either of these guides than you absolutely want to be on this session.  (If you don’t have either guide- you should buy them) Melissa Szotkowski of Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope will walk you through it all in this FREE session.  Click HERE to learn more and register.

 

--  Last this week it is March Madness.  Obviously last year it was cancelled and that was the start of the very dark and tough year for all.  I am excited to see this tournament because for the first time in years my alma mater (and also that of Wolverine Glass’ Rodger Ruff) Ohio University will be in the big dance!  Can’t wait to see them play and who knows maybe they’ll pull an upset along the way…. In any case bring on the madness and good luck to all of you and your favorites in the tournament.

 

LINKS of the WEEK

 

The friend that sent this one to me said it best “will this hold up in court?” Read about the Cheeto Dust evidence!

 

A story not getting enough coverage is we are running out of a ton of items in our world- even cheese… (I am serious about the shortages though)

 

This happened near me- and it is wild.  And I will say it happens a lot. Crazy and scary!

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

 

Historical AND Hurricane Resistant?  Yes is the answer on this sharp project of the week from Winco.  This is the IYRS School of Technology & Trades (fits perfectly with my theme above- support these places!!) and a super job done by Winco and its partners on it.  

A CONGRATS to all on a super project for a very important building! 

Winco had more on this project HERE.

The Man The Myth The Legend

In the next issue of Glass Magazine there is a story I am very proud to be associated with.  It is a “Take 5 with Randy Steinberg” of Glasswerks and it really was a fun one to dig into.  First and foremost though for this story all of the heavy lifting from start to finish was done by Dan Pompeo of Architectural Glazing Solutions.  Dan created the outline, delivered the questions and then did all the leg work on timelines and picture needs.  Not only is Dan one of the best manufacturers reps ever created but he’s an amazing advocate for this industry and a loyal to the core guy when it comes to his long relationship with Randy.  This article doesn’t even leave the launch pad without Dan. 

Randy, for those who know him, is not the sort that likes to talk about himself or sit in one place long enough to get any sort of insight about him.  So getting this chance, and digging in to what makes Randy tick really was special.  One of the best takeaways is something I have now adopted too and that is Randy’s “never look back” approach to things.  Check out the article online HERE ahead of the printed version coming out soon. Thank you, Randy, for taking the time and Dan for making this happen!

 

Elsewhere…

 

--  Great news for the folks at Guardian Glass with their DeWitt, IA plant earning a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies that the i plant performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.  We always take heat in our industry for various reasons and usually we get picked on because of energy in one form or fashion- nice to see some good news on that front!  Congrats!

 

--  Speaking of good news, congrats to my old friend Erik Stumpf of deGorter who is handling the sales now of the very well regarded Sedimentor from Bohle.  Erik Is a battler that is for sure and I think he’ll do well pushing this very important product for our industry and environment.

 

--  I always talk on here that I love our technology and it often is under-rated.  This past week I was able to see a demo of the FeneTech FeneVision Shower Door program and it was quite impressive.  This software really covers the bases when it comes to the shower door trade.  Nice work by the team there and tremendous presentation by Dave Miller.

 

--  Last week I linked to some incredible jobs via an article in Architects Daily.  One of them in particular I said I liked the most and lo and behold the industry folks behind it did drop me a note.  So props to Kelley Lasek and his team at Linel.  Kelly noted that the Boston project featured Linel and that Ipswich Bay Glass was the Installer.  Tremendous work everyone!

 

--  There was an update on 2022 being “The Year of Glass” this week with things continuing to progress in this process.  The team behind it is doing a super job keeping glass in the forefront and filling the holes with regards to areas of support.  The one thing I don’t know is who are we competing against?  What other products or industries are going for this esteemed honor? I just don’t know- but I do know the efforts that Alicia Duran and her team are putting forth have been incredible. So staying positive that 2022 is not only going to be a great year but also “The Year of Glass!”

 

--  Last this week… the episodes are coming together for the upcoming series BEC Presents.  This setup for information and education delivery is going to be different than you’ve seen in the past but the detail and knowledge you are going to gain will be just as good as ever.  I’m excited for it as all episodes drop on March 22^nd. 

 

LINKS of the WEEK

--  Even the best hack for being able to use the carpool lane gets exposed. 

 

--  This is a great story on Charles Barkley and prepping for the “hora” at his daughters wedding.  

 

--  Excellent article on a mystery solved- old pictures and crowd sourcing seemingly work every time!

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

Those who know me know I love a good Sunshade project and this week in the spotlight is Fabricated Products Group for this job in Missouri.  These are rectangular tube Sunshades with integrated lighting at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Congrats to Daniel Shields and his team on a tremendous project here!