The "Vax"

Since the pandemic started I have pretty much made it a mission NOT to talk specifically about anything directly connected to it.  This post however I am going to break that approach.  Reason being is I am curious on what companies are doing with regards to the vaccination process.  Are you telling your folks to get vaccinated?  Are you demanding it?  Are you incentivizing it? Or are you just leaving it completely alone?  I am just curious because I’m hearing all different approaches and really all I care about is getting back to some form of normalcy.  How we get there- I pretty much don’t care, I just want to get there.  By the way the most common approach I am hearing is the incentive approach- with companies offering gift cards or paid time off in exchange for folks getting the jab.  I have heard of companies “demanding” the vax in terms that seem a bit wonky/illegal (like “get it or else”) but I would hope that is the minority and surely doesn’t seem kosher overall.  In any case, feel free to drop me a line or note in the comments what you are doing/hearing and I’ll share some insights on a later post…

 

Elsewhere…

 

--  We did get more positive news from the latest Architectural Billings Index.  Huge winning score of 55.6.  That was better than I thought and has kept the positive trend going.  All the metrics were up and that is surely something to be excited about.  Obviously, the challenge is getting to this work as an industry since this index doesn’t touch us for a year, and we knew that we’d have some holes this year but seeing some light at the end of the tunnel is not a bad thing.

 

--  Speaking of the future, one of my guests on my most recent podcast talked specifically on his worries about 2022.  And despite what I see being different, his warnings have me on my toes- as it should be for all of you. Want to hear or see more?  Click HERE for the video version and HERE for the audio.  It’s podcast #4 and it was a great hour of insight from some incredible industry leaders.  Thanks again for the support!

 

--  Tremendous industry pub here- especially reaching the youth thanks to Bill Daubmann of D3 Glass and MY Shower Door.  Bill is going to be a “Wolf” in a “Wolf Den” program (meant to be like the TV Show “Shark Tank” but for High School students pitching their business startup ideas.)  The local FOX TV affiliate picked it up and explained more HERE and the story for me is that whenever we as an industry can get our leaders into these big community programs, it builds our image.  Bill and his family are absolute pros at this no doubt, and I am thrilled for the pub he’s getting and what it will translate into and hopefully we can get more opportunities like this in the future.  Hopefully one of these students will have a great way to help our industry- who knows!!

 

--  I do like our industry keeps innovating for the times.  Props to the team at Trulite on their latest product line addition.  I have said it a ton and will do so again now- glass is the best product going for the future of our inside professional world.

 

--  Big congratulations to my friend Devorah Serkin of General Glass (GGI).  Devorah just completed the Harvard Business Analytics Program! That is awesome!  She knocked that 18-month course out while still doing her day job at GGI.  Devorah has always been one of the most impressive people I have encountered in this industry and this just continues to prove that.  Congrats!!

 

--  The AIA announced their 2021 COTE Awards and some beautiful projects were on there- some that I believe I have had on here in other mentions before.  Take a look and as always if you had a hand in it and want me to give you proper recognition let me know!

 

--  Last this week… I made my plans to go to TEXPO in a few weeks.  Can’t wait to be back on a show floor and especially to be in Texas with the awesome folks from the Texas Glass Association, that makes it even more meaningful.  It will be interesting on how everything comes together, and I look forward to sharing here.  Then get ready… GlassBuild America will be here before ya know it!!

 

LINKS of the WEEK

 

Great idea but no way this can work in reality

 

This is scary and a big issue with things like this and “Alexa” style instruments.

 

I’ve been in a similar situation to this and the whole “it’s on your property” line that absolves major mistakes is crazy.

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

 

Before we get to an awesome Project of the Week just a note on last week’s winner from Glass + Metal Craft.  There was a snafu on the credit side of things, and I wanted to get it straight here. The Hyatt Place Grand Rapids was installed by Glass Design from Rockford, MI and Andy Russo of G+MC wanted me to note that they did a stellar job and kudos to Jeff Nelson, Chad Rehkopf, Dale Oberlin, Patty Karr and the entire Glass Design team!  Congrats all! 

 

Now on to this week and this project shows again why glass is so awesome.

 

Easily one of the best follows/connections on LinkedIn is Adrian Lowenstein of Skyline Windows.  His feed is always loaded with interesting and thought-provoking projects, products, and technical info.  Add into it that Skyline Windows has an amazing portfolio and the timing was perfect for them to end up here.  So again as I did last week and instead of me spinning it, I’ll just post what Adrian had on this truly special “Project of the Week” 

Congrats to Skyline Windows on this effort and for making our industry stand out!

 

“In this brutalist #adaptivereuse conversion, CetraRuddy Architecture transformed the Ralph Walker Art Deco telecommunications tower into a high-end residential showpiece 🏆

JDS Development Group wanted perfection – a restoration of the existing structure with a fresh twist on modern design.

Tilt & turn operable Skyline Windows, nearly 10’ in height, were introduced with gridlines & muntins, custom panning, and a heavy laminated glass package. The three dimensional spandrel panels were shaped from bronze colored steel and formed aluminum plates.

A challenging yet timely piece for all involved.

 

A warm thank you to Vidaris, Inc., a SOCOTEC Company for the collaboration.”

Forecasts, Podcasts, and More

It is that time again, another new episode of the “From the Fabricator” podcast is out!  The 4^th edition has a really interesting range of guests and insights.  Mary Avery of Tubelite is this awesome talent and it was very interesting finding out about her path to our world and she also shared two incredible projects.  Then Jim Stathopoulos of Ajay Glass joined me and his forecasting may scare some of you but it is certainly something to take into the planning stage.  That among many other items, including a great tribute to his legendary father were very cool to experience.  Then two younger guys in our world, James Wright and Jeremy Hoy of Virginia Glass Products and Virginia Mirror Company joined me to talk about their youth, their hair, their laminated, mirror and more.  Fun stuff!  That plus commentary off the top on the latest acquisitions and must-see documentaries mentioned at the end.  Thank you again for checking it out!  To watch this episode on YouTube, all you have to do is CLICK HERE and to listen only, go to Spotify, Apple, Google or wherever you listen to your podcasts and download from there.  

 

Elsewhere…

 

--  Last week’s lead story hit home for many of you as the labor need is really in a crisis mode.  And again, it’s not just in our segment or construction.  It is all over and it’s hitting the service industry hard.  This story from a town not too far from me really spells it out. Scary stuff.

 

--  Top Glass in Canada happens this week on Wednesday and has a strong and interesting lineup of speakers and subjects.  I always enjoy Mark Jacobson’s insights and he’s speaking so that makes it even more worthy.  Pat Flannery and team do such a nice job here- so check it out and register HERE.   I look forward to attending this one in person next year!  

 

--  The next release of the Architectural Billings Index also comes out Wednesday.  There is a ton of anticipation for this one given how great the last report was.  I’m going in with the attitude of hope for the best but expect the worst.  I don’t think there’s any way the March results will beat February, but once again I’ll be thrilled to be wrong.  No matter what I’ll have it here next week to comment on….

 

--  I have never heard the term the “Goldilocks” economy but evidently we may be in one?  Builder Magazine had a good rundown of what that is and why we possibly are in that mode.

 

--  A couple of congratulations to go out… first to Kevin Carter who just landed at AIG as a Regional Sales Lead.  Kevin is an old friend who got caught up in some of the CGH adventures.  Thrilled that he has landed with a good group and he’ll do nice work there.  In addition CONGRATS go out to my friend Lindsey Rowe Parker of Rowe Fenestration as her first book was published and released to the masses.  Lindsey wrote a very cool children’s book that will be a must have in the special education community called “Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes- Calm my Jitters Down” and it truly is awesome.  The help that this book will provide parents, teachers, and therapists will be off the charts.  Great work Lindsey- super proud of you!  Learn more and if you want to order this- here’s the site.  

 

--  This is a fascinating story of a historic home in Florida that was basically gutted by the owners without the proper permits, permissions etc.  I found the whole read and process to be very interesting along with the odd sense of deniability shown by the owners.  

 

--  Last this week… ICYMI the very talented Norah Dick of Glass Magazine had a great piece on Architecture after COVID.  This gave some good insight from some previous presentations and also via some strong industry experts.  Plus a good mention on Vacuum Insulating Glass that probably brought a huge smile to the face of Michael Spellman of VIG Technologies. 

 

LINKS of the WEEK

 

A baby gator in the house?  No thank you!

Speaking of Gators my pal AJ Carr had a shot of one on a jobsite this week… I think he’s training him to install!

 

Brutal story but a more common one these days- unable to move into a home that you just bought….

This an absolutely crazy story of an undiscovered room in an apartment a guy had been in for many years. 

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

I was honored to be invited to the annual Guardian Glass Commercial Glass Project Awards event this past week.  This normally happens at BEC and obviously was postponed and moved to an online event.  Great presentation.  Unreal projects here that really showed off how great our industry is and the work that we do.  There were many deserving winners (Props to all recognized- great companies!) but I grabbed one of the projects to make it my “project of the week” for this post.  I think this is the first time I have a Glass + Mirror Craft project get honored so kudos to Andy Russo and everyone involved there on this stunner.

Via Guardian Glass... The Details:

Hyatt Place Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Glazier: Precision Wall Systems, Inc

Fabricator: Glass + Mirror Craft

Architect: Ghafari Associates (previously known as Concept Design)

Products: Guardian SunGuard® SuperNeutral® 54 coating on CrystalBlue® glass and SunGuard® SuperNeutral® 68 coating on clear glass

Photo Credit: ThumbCoast Aerial

Congrats to all involved and thank you to the Guardian Glass team for the invite!

Labor Pains

The challenge of finding labor is now the biggest it has ever been and is not getting easier.  As the economy starts to come back and companies of all types are returning to “normal” business, there is a shortage of willing people to work.  In the last 2 weeks I have had more conversations on labor needs than anything else I cover.  And it’s not just us.  I live in a small town and on a short 5-minute drive to the supermarket I saw at least 6 businesses with major signage pushing that they are hiring now, great wages (some listed the range) along with other perks.  And then the store I went to itself had flyers throughout promoting the ability to “pick your shift” and the values of work at that establishment.  We are a tough spot as an industry now.  We are not glamorous to those who look at us from the outside, and we handle heavy and sometimes dangerous materials.  We need to do a better job showing how awesome our products are once done and installed. And we need to embrace technology and automation more at every level.  This is a mighty challenge that was made worse by the pandemic and the various programs that came out of it- meant for good- but unfortunately being so intensely utilized that it’s a better alternative for some than working.  So we have to keep working on ways to do better and attract more and better to our world. 

 

Elsewhere….

 

--  OK now to some good news.  The Dodge Momentum Index posted its best report since 2018!  That is exciting.  Obviously, we are battling each and every day and some areas have grown softer than we all want, but the metrics are looking like we’ll have a fighting chance as the year progresses. The best news on the latest report here was education and recreation facilities were positive gainers.  We need more of that!

 

--  In case you missed it last week another brilliant blog by David Vermeulen of TGP.  This was a follow up to his fantastic piece on getting in the specs and he expands more into the process here.  I do love everything David writes, so I am biased, but this is tremendous stuff.

 

--  Congrats to my friend Chris Dolan of Guardian Glass.  Saw that he just celebrated 30 years at the company.  Which is amazing given that he looks like he’s 35. (He does not age.  At all.) Anyway what a run and what an incredible influence Chris has had on our industry.  Obviously, I hope he keeps going and giving to our world because his approach has always not only been good for his company but for the industry at large.  

 

--  Speaking of Guardian Glass… last week I linked to a great piece with a bunch of Net Zero jobs, and one of those projects were claimed by the team at Guardian Glass.  The John J. Sbrega Health and Science Building at Bristol Community College in Fall River, Mass. was one that Guardian Glass manufactured the glass on which was fabricated by Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope and installed by Middlesex Glass Company. The architect was Sasaki Associates. It was noted to me that this facility was able to achieve net zero energy in a project type that typically does not achieve this level of performance. This a community college science building containing teaching labs with specialized ventilation needs. VERY cool.  Here’s the link again- this is the 4^th one down. 

 

--  Last this week… the From the Fabricator podcast returns next week with 4 awesome guests that run the gamut of our world.  From leading architectural aluminum, to glazing & unitized, to the growing certification process, and then to young folks making a difference at a huge legacy company.  So much to cover and great people too.  Can’t wait and hope you take the time to check it out.  If you have not caught a previous episode, YouTube versions are HERE and audio ones are HERE.  Thank you!

 

LINKS of the WEEK

 

Wow.  Social media is not all bad.

 

Another story from me on saving an old structure in Minnesota- This time a house from 1858.

 

Nice ending to a story I had on here few weeks ago on the 91,000 pennies.

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

 

I have showcased Viracon once or twice on here on jobs that came from other parts of the supply chain but this week we get one direct from the source via Mitch Hawkins LinkedIn. (I am not connected with Mitch, I think Viracon limits how many people should be talking to me, LOL, but this ended up on my feed.) Anyway this is the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids Michigan and it is a beauty.  Glass is dominant and pretty much perfect on this project which according to Mitch was a Gensler design and installed by Glass Solutions Inc.  Congrats Mitch and the team at Viracon for an absolute winner here!!

Big Company Moves

Big industry news this past week with some of the parts of CGH being sold off.  First we heard the news of the assets from Columbia Commercial Building Products being divvyed up between two companies, with the window system going to Arcadia and the architectural aluminum to FHC.  Nice moves for both of those companies- especially with regards to expanding their products lines.  Again, with how crazy our world is, diversifying what you do is NOT a bad play right now.  Then the news dropped that Solar Seal was being sold to 03 Industries.  This made me very happy as I know the Solar Seal people were absolutely determined to see their operation land in good hands and from all indications it has.  They surely beat out the rumors of their demise and that truly is a cool thing. So far, these moves look to be very good ones for many involved and few more shoes still to drop before it is said and done.  

 

Elsewhere…

 

--  I have talked on here a lot about John Wheaton’s “Creating Structure” podcast and this latest episode is incredible.  His guest is one of my “Influential 15” and someone that truly commands a ton of deserved respect in our industry- Jeff Haber of W&W.  This interview absolutely delivers.  The beauty of this cast was previewed really early on when John noted that if he saw Jeff at an event like BEC, he’d get a few minutes to chat with him and both would move on to network elsewhere- so getting him for an hour+ is something that just does not happen.  So this really is special.  Among the items covered here were Jeff’s history, W&W’s history (Racquetball Courts for the Win!), Value Props, Diversification, Communication and an amazing segment where off the top of his head Jeff riffs out 15 or more site considerations when working in New York City.  Truly a must listen and great job by both! CLICK HERE to listen.  By the way if I ever interviewed Jeff it would go kind of like THIS so I am glad John did it and is so good!

 

--  So saw this blurb on remodeling of the Pittsburgh Airport and I got sentimental.  The original Perilstein Distributing (PDC) did a lot of the glass in that structure when it was first built and when I first started in the industry it was one of the first places my brother took me to show me what our company did. (back when you could visit an airport without flying) It was so cool to see our logo on the tempered and name stamped on the spacers, it really started that level of pride first in working in the business and then obviously for our industry.  Whomever does the modernization, do it up great my friends! 

 

--  Laminated glass continues to be a hot product and with that usually comes more oversight and standards. Including now this one in the new ASTM C1900. Things like this help our world perform better and I am all for it. 

 

--  Good news about Anixter’s Jenifer Truhn with her now taking on a new role there leading a team of Glass Hardware Specialists.  I had the honor of meeting Jen a few years ago when her involvement at the Detroit Glass Dealers Association (DGDA) was helping promote GlassBuild America and from there on out I would see her from time to time making great inroads in the market and also on LinkedIn. Super talented. I think Jen will do great in this new role and I appreciate her continued support of our industry too! (Her company just smartly joined the NGA!)

 

--  Marketing friends are you following the latest from Google and their new algorithm changes for later this year?  From what I am seeing it means website optimization will take a serious headline role like never before.  This will certainly be interesting once it rolls out and how it affects older sites and also newer ones not built to keep up with the Google updates. Never a dull moment out there…

 

--  Last this week… cool look at some Net Zero projects.  Some are better looking than others and some use glass more effectively.  Check it out and let me know what you think and if you supplied any material on any of these!

 

LINKS of the WEEK

 

--  Another just “click to read the headline” sort of story.  Unreal.

 

--  Cool treehouse. Brutal execution. Gotta do things the right way folks!

 

--  This repurposing of a Mall needs to keep happening- all over.  

 

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

This week my focus is on a nice interior and entrance package done by the fine team at Kensington Glass Arts.  Good folks there (I’m a big fan of Bill Wilson there- great guy) who really do right by the industry and they do nice work including this on at Franklin Square in Washington, DC.  KGa did glass on those majestic entrances and upgrades throughout the lobby and concourse. Looks great! Props to everyone at Kensington on this excellent work!