Bumpy Forecast, Great Pod, and More

Even in the dog days of summer- like we are in now, news gets made in our industry.  This week a few items led the way and I’ll kick it off with some notes from the Dodge Construction Network quarterly webinar.  The overall vibe was while things are pretty stable right now, the simulations into the future aren’t as positive and we could have some murky times in 2023/2024.  The telling piece was the initial projections when adjusted for inflation.  Those actually have the non-residential space going down next year vs. the up we all expected.   Single family homes are now lagging and in the past that was a red flag for our space to slow up down the line.  So that was eye opening.  Also as we all know, projects are taking much longer to get going and to get to our spot in them, so that makes things nightmarish schedule wise.  Now not all is negative, some individual segments are poised to do well including lodging (hotels are back folks) multi-famly (which I consider non res) and surprisingly retail.  The Southeast rounding into Texas is still smoking hot market wise, so happy for folks there.  In addition, as I have noted previously, renovation and retrofit are big drivers going forward as well.  So we have some challenges ahead but nothing we are not expecting that is for sure…

Also best bet for all of you who are interested- get to the Glazing Executives Forum at GlassBuild to hear Connor Lokar talk on this- his insight will be crucial. 

 

Elsewhere…

 

--  NEW PODCAST Episode is live… yes the latest one is now ready for your consumption.  Guests this time are Tim Widner of Lippert Components and Dan Shields of Fabricated Products Group.  Great people with tons of experience in our world.  Interesting takes on products, training and getting involved along with other subjects covered. Also the need to have bowling outings vs. golf outings (Dan would be a ringer there).  Seriously very good stuff and I think you’ll enjoy.  Thanks for checking it out!

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AUDIO or Apple, Spotify etc.

 

--  The world of transparent photovoltaic had a strong week too.  First off the huge news that Andersen Corporation is now taking the next step with Ubiquitous Energy.  They will develop windows and doors with the new technology and this is massive.  Andersen is the biggest player out there and they set a lot of tables, so there is no doubt this just took the Ubiquitous product into a big-time world. 

Meanwhile UbiQD Inc. had big news too with announcements of a contract with the US Air Force and demos at Western Washington University.  Items like this are great for them but also for the entire space and continues to show the way our industry keeps evolving with new technology.  Love it all.  Congrats to everyone on the great news!

 

--  Are you headed to glasstec next month?  If so let me know- would love to connect with you while there.  NGA is once again sponsoring the North American pavilion and that is exciting and I am looking forward to seeing some of the new technologies in person.  Top of my list- possibly joining (if I can get a spot) on a tour of a facility running the ground breaking systron fabrication line with the team from IGE.  Michael Spellman changed the holes/notches/fab space once and he’s doing it again here.  Also on my list seeing the next great tech from Clearshield and their do it all guy there- Shaun Gustafson.  Clearshield had been somewhat quiet for a while but now are primed and ready.  Cool stuff ahead! 

 

--  Just one to always keep in mind after I saw a massive thread on Facebook on this and a good industry friend also pinged in on it.  When it comes to ballistic glazing- the term is “bullet resistant”- never “bullet proof”  Yes for many of us that is obvious, but I think we just have to keep hammering away with the right term.  Too many slip and use the wrong term which really isn’t a good thing for anyone. 

 

--  Last this week… a programming note… NO BLOG next week.  I’ll be back in this space in September with the latest ABI (will it keep rolling? Even now with the worries from the other forecasters?) and a lot more. I figure with us about to hit show season you are going to get your fill of me, so this is a good breather for everyone before everything breaks loose!

 

LINKS of the WEEK

Who knew a story on trash cans could be so interesting?  But in San Francisco and some at 20K a pop- this story is something.

 

High School Heroes… Love it

 

An alligator on the first day of school.  

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

One of the most impressive organizations in our industry is Momentum Glass led by the great Omar Maalouf. (Past podcast guest too- HERE if you want to check it out) This project in Nashville fortifies that point.  Look at how beautiful this one is! The Hyatt Centric stands out. Built in a town like Nashville with so many neat things to see, this one will be a must visit for me next time in the area.  Awesome.  JE Dunn was the GC and glass from what I can tell was by Viracon.  CONGRATS Omar and everyone involved in yet another great project that makes our world look good!

 

Beat Up Backlog

Each time an index comes out I run through it and give you all some quick thoughts.  Lately I have been mystified over the Architectural Billings Index.  It’s just overperforming reality in my opinion.  Well now comes the latest Construction Backlog Report and that one unfortunately is connecting to my pessimism pretty well.  This report has fallen 3 months in a row and is under water.  This LINK breaks it all down for you, and this too may be “off” because as we know in a post covid world nothing can be assumed or guaranteed in any report.  Still the marching orders remain the same for me, that is communicate, diversify, and keep your head on a swivel. 

Elsewhere

 

--  Aside from forecasts like mentioned above, the biggest questions I get these days are focused on the supply chain and labor/culture. I think they are easily the biggest issues facing our industry on a day-to-day basis.  So I am thrilled to see the annual Glazing Executives Forum taking these all on – head on actually- this October in Las Vegas.  The more we can educate and bring visibility on to these issues and spread the communication the better.  Two of the speakers on these subjects are set with Vic McConnell and Connor Lokar. Both are leaders in their fields and will bring the highest level of perspective available to the subject.  The time is now to start plugging in your plans to come to GlassBuild in October and also attend the Glazing Executives Forum too.  For more information click HERE and I’ll see you there!

 

--  Congrats to the team at GlassBuild for being awarded as one of the top trade shows in the US! Huge deal to be recognized by Trade Show Executive Magazine in their “Gold 100” rankings.  I can tell you from having the honor of working alongside the team at GlassBuild that those folks absolutely bring it and have 1000 things going on at once and still come through with a great event every single time.  Congrats! 

 

--  If you missed my latest podcast- here’s another reminder.  This was my first ever “onsite” interview and the reaction has been tremendous. Thank you to all who have chimed in. The latest pod featured a tremendous trio from Quaker Window and they were something special for sure.

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AUDIO

Another new podcast should drop next week too… so again thank you for listening/watching and following along!

 

--  In the latest governmental moves the Dynamic Glass Act looks like it is coming together.  (It is in the same legislation as the 80,000 new IRS employees- which makes me wonder where in the world are they going to find 80,000 people to work there or anywhere these days!) This move could be a very big plus for the dynamic glass space and get more high-performance materials out there and will probably carry other glazing materials just as an offshoot further too. Excited to see what the Halio and Sage folks do with this behind them.

 

--  Speaking of items that could move the needle- Washington DC puts into place to go all Net Zero by 2026.  So that too means more high-performance glass and glazing. Love to see this and this sort of thing will invite more usage of VIG, Transparent PV, Thin Triples and more.  Will more follow this aggressive lead? 

 

--  The Vanceva World of Color awards were announced and it was AWESOME to see the great team at Goldray recognized at the top! Here is the rundown of all the details but a massive congrats to Mike Saroka, Laura Little and the entire team at Goldray!

 

LINKS of the WEEK

Never underestimate dogs. This one lived in a cave for a few months. 

 

I am stunned at how stupid some companies could be expansion wise.  This one was doomed to fail from the start.

 

Sad story and evidently with 3000 incidents a year something that probably needs addressed.  Brutal.

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

This one stopped me in my tracks.  NGG posted this one and wow does it stand out! They noted the following- 

NGG designed and installed a four sided structurally glazed curtain wall system. Building offered some unique challenges due to the large cantilevered second floor. Structural calculations were provided by JEI Structural, which also included custom anchoring. Glass supplied by Viracon and aluminum by YKK

Kudos to Cannon Design on a spectacular look here!

Latest Pod- On Location

Fun new podcast is now live! I went on location in Missouri and spent time at the amazing Quaker Windows facilities.  I had heard a bit about Quaker and then learned more once Josh Wignall got there, but seeing it in person was a jaw dropper for sure.  So I decided to do an onsite podcast with Josh, along with two excellent industry veterans Dusty Fick and Chris Dickneite.  All 3 were great interviews (and even better people too) as we talked trends (vinyl in commercial?  Seriously) markets, projects, sports, music and more.  Really enjoyable time with class acts and tremendous hospitality. And plus being a glass geek, seeing this operation was something special- a top 5 location for me all time. (and don’t worry Bill Daubmann, D3 is still in the top 5!) 

So please check this one out- great insights from folks who know their world well and was cool to take a deep dive.  

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AUDIO- (or on Apple, Spotify, Google. etc.)

Also I am changing up my format some and cadence of podcasts, I will be putting out some shorter ones more often as its easier to get people lined up and get them done and out vs. combining.  Plus most of you listen in chunks anyway so that will help as well.  And I may drop the video aspect- the uploads take painfully long and as you’ll see below, right now I am technically in a bad place.

In any and all cases, THANK YOU for supporting this effort- I truly appreciate it!!

 

Elsewhere…

 

--  Last on Quaker I also need to recognize a few others who weren’t on the pod.  The great Joseph Holmes, who I have known a long time is there and just kicking tail like he always has.  I am huge fan of his.  Jason Pratt and I worked together in a past life and it was great to connect with him and awesome to see him doing so well, and it was nice to add to my network by meeting Tom Kuper.  Good guy and bright future ahead!

 

--  How about the news that GlassBuild will have new locations in 2024 and 2025 and great locations too! Dallas and Orlando.  Both will be fabulous areas and the show will benefit from these locations.  In the meantime the 2022 edition is coming together nicely.  Have you seen that trade show floor yet?  Incredibly impressive and loaded with awesome vendors. Get registered and also get those hotel rooms- they are starting to fill!!! GlassBuild.com

 

--  The MyGlassTruck promo with giving away a truck rack is pretty cool.  Love the idea and support of the education in our industry.  Kudos to the MGT team for coming up with it and of course Andrew Haring (him driving the truck in the promo video was very cool) and the NGA team for collaborating to make it really fly.  Want to learn more and get registered for a chance to win? GO HERE.

 

--  I teased above my tech woes… so here it is… my beloved desktop computer that I have had for years, an absolute workhorse, crashed and my data sadly was unrecoverable.  I am devastated.  While I have a lot backed up, I did not have it all (I am a moron) and just the hassle of starting over is daunting and depressing.  We depend so much on these things and when it goes south it is an absolute gut punch. But there are much worse things happening and I know that, so it is what it is….

 

--  Last this week… it is now August.  Football is back.  In many cities school is back in session.  Can the snow be that far behind?  (Expecting a note from Brian Savage of Viracon noting that they got some this weekend. LOL) Where in the world did this year go?  Unreal the way time flies!

 

LINKS of the WEEK

--  If this “giant nuclear-powered sky hotel airplane” happens I look forward to Adrian Lowenstein’s video review of the curtain wall and windows and him talking about space dust affecting the operation of the window etc....

 

--  I heard about this gig this past week… really fascinating on if its true and then what it would do to your health.  

 

--  Interesting read on the Michigan / Ohio war. 

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

I have always been a huge fan of Tom Nesbitt and the team at United Architectural Metals (though I can’t get Tom to do the podcast- will keep trying!) and this week spotlight falls on them!  This is the Hope Tower at the Jersey City Medical Center.  Great looking structure.  United manufactured the unitized curtainwall (tremendous 44,000 sq ft of it) and the glass was installed by the team at National Glass.  Designed by WHR Architects and the glass product was Vitro Solarban 70. Tom and the team at United do amazing work, and this one may look more pedestrian than others, but it is a beaut! Great work to all involved.