Predictions can be tough but each year I do them and each year I follow up to see how I fared. So, before we dig into 2023, time to take a look back at my thoughts on 2022.
Here are last year's calls and whether I won, lost, or tied.
Yes- Interior Growth this year- I believe this was a win though it depends on your area of the country. Interiors grew- no doubt, but that return to office was not nationwide and remodels still were a bit slower. I’ll say this is a tie.
More 8mm- This one did not grow as much as I thought and so I’ll sadly take an “L” here but I think the trend remains and 8mm in the commercial setting is here to stay.
Rough waters for some- While we had some choppy waters there wasn’t enough to take people under- which is great news overall and I’ll be happy to accept a bad call on this one. Still we are not out of the woods on worry, but for 2022, it did not happen, thankfully.
Code Crunch- Did not see the code crunch but is that because of people like the NGA Superhero team led by Urmilla Sowell? And the codes we did see were smart positive ones too. I think there was a push but we have gotten so much better at understanding and adapting it did not make us crazy like efforts in the past.
More than 1 big deal is coming- And I got this one right… a few big deals this past year and I think the aftershocks from those deals affect our space this year. And not every aftershock is a bad one either- more investments, more focus, diversification etc. could all be in the offing thanks to new owners and fresh perspectives.
Next week, the fearless prognostications for 2023!
Elsewhere…
-- A reminder if you missed the opening podcast to 2023, I’ll link it again below. This one turned out to be very popular on the audio download side, guessing folks like exercising to the soothing inspirational words of Tom O’Malley eh? Anyway, aside from Tom joining me and diving deep into the industry, I was also honored to have Arty Feles, President of CR Laurence on. He was amazing in laying down all the good CRL has happening now. And last but certainly not least, Sam Olson oof J&A Glass held court and his industry path has had people talking. Good stuff! Thanks to those who have listened/watched and if you want to catch it- the VIDEO version is here and AUDIO here- along with audio being on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts from!
-- Big news from recent glass industry MVP runner up Chris Phillips. It came out at the start of the year that Chris has joined forces with Brandon Nicastro and Chance Forman at GCS Glass & Mirror. GCS is an awesome organization and what Brandon and Chance have done there is incredibly impressive. Now looping in Chris and his location in California (the 5th for GCS) is another tremendous move. Chris is a great person, and I am happy for him and thrilled about this combo- congrats guys!
-- Also some big personnel moves and kudos needed. Two of the most talented women to run through our space have taken new major roles. Leigh Anne Mays was a superstar at Guardian Glass and after being at Masonite, she’s returned to our side of the industry with the exciting new Naverra glass fab facility in Connecticut. A great fit bringing Leigh Anne’s experience to match the product and performance of Naverra. Nice. And former podcast guest Kelly Whittingham has signed on with Ubiquitous Energy. Huge get there by Ubiquitous as Kelly is spectacular and big time respected in the marketplace. A fresh disruptive product being pushed by someone with Kelly’s skills is a win. Congrats to all!
-- And I assume you may see these folks and many many more at BEC this March! And now is the time to register as the doors are open and the link is online and ready for you. BEC is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and there’s a lot of interesting stuff planned that go beyond this being an incredible learning and networking event. So, get your trip locked in now and register HERE! If you are unfamiliar with BEC, feel free to ping me and I’ll give you the details.
-- At the start of the NFL season, I picked the Ravens to beat the Packers in the Super Bowl. Well the Packers are out and the Ravens without Lamar Jackson are not winning it. So I get a do-over right? LOL. I’m going Kansas City over Philadelphia. But I do think every Hollywood writer wants a Buffalo Bills win just because of the story that would be. We’ll see!
-- Last this week… the terrific Bill Sullivan of Brin Glass (a past glass industry MVP by the way) had a great tweet with some harrowing video of folks delivering some big glass. Yikes. Check it out HERE to see it…
LINKS of the WEEK
I am really into learning about AI and in some cases what it can replace and what it cannot.
From the “love to see it / karma” files
Another bizarre legal case for the ages!
PROJECT of the WEEK
Quick note- on my project of the week from the end of the year, I missed a credit for AZA US on the glass and building envelope. Tremendous work- to see it CLICK HERE
On to this week- Virginia Glass Products had this one posted and it was a project in progress in Glen Allen, VA with American Door & Glass Inc. 13/16” laminated for a canopy and looking fabulous all the way around. Kudos to my good pal James Wright and the team there for the great work they are doing and props to American Door & Glass on a successful install! Looking good everyone.
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