((Note- I do post this on my LinkedIn page each Sunday- feel free to follow / connect with me!))
Finally. GlassBuild America week! If you are at the show, please feel free to grab me to say hi. I often am in 1000 different directions, and I miss seeing people… I look forward to it. What else am I looking forward to? I’ve already discussed the supply chain panel and economic presentation, but other items on the list include seeing Joshua Johnson talk about the “workforce you are missing.” If he has half the energy in person that he shows online, this is going to be a great piece. The shower door design challenge is a must. I am a fan of many of the people who will be there. The family business networking breakfast is on my list, as well as seeing the hurricane glass demos. There is really something for everyone this year —and with over 600 booths, my challenge of getting around to see them all will be a tall one! Travel safely, everyone, and let’s have a fantastic show while continuing to build our industry! (And as always, my post next week will be focused on the show recap and who was seen and what was learned!)
Elsewhere…
-- ICYMI- the latest From the Fabricator podcast is a perfect one to catch on the way to Orlando, as it features two people who will be prominent at the show. Seth Madole of Viracon, with a key role on a Supply Chain panel, and Kevin Black of Flexijet, who is a must-visit on the floor. Both guys were great to talk with and are examples of folks who make our industry run.
AUDIO (also search “From the Fabricator” on Spotify, Apple, etc.)
Thanks to FHC-Frameless Hardware Company for sponsoring this episode! And speaking of FHC- they had news this week with the announcement of a new state-of-the-art FHC Super Center in New Jersey. Congrats!!
-- Congrats to Jeff Spicer and Raul Hernandez at IGE for reaching their 20-year milestone with the company. Both guys are good people, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them over the years. IGE had a nice write-up about these guys HERE, and it’s worth the read!
-- Also in the 20 range… Tab Glass is celebrating its 20th year in business. Kristin Thomas is possibly the most under-the-radar superstar in our space. Not only is it hard to get her out in front of events (or my podcast- maybe in 15 years I’ll get her on…lol) because her focus is on her company, but she’ll also quickly deflect any and every compliment to her team, which of course they do deserve. Class act! In any case, kudos to Kristin and team on an incredible run, and here’s to many more great years ahead!
-- Speaking of “under the radar” at NGA, there’s a guy named Wayne Nelson. For a significant portion of my time as part of NGA, Wayne has been that steady influence and clutch performer. Whenever Wayne had a task, you knew it would be done perfectly and without issue or delay. Well, Wayne is calling it a career and retiring- with his last day being this past Friday. NGA will miss his efforts and, by extension, so will the industry. Huge shoes to fill there. Congrats, Wayne, on a great run at NGA and all the best in your next phase of life!
-- Interior glass and D8 vs D10 is a BIG issue. So, I invite you to read below and then take a survey. Should demountable glass walls be classified under the MasterSpec Division 8 or Division 10? What challenges do demountable walls and similar installations pose? NGA Installing Committee Task Group: Interior Demountable Wall Systems – Division 10 Requests Your Input.
Last this week… the great Kyle Sword of NSG Pilkington delivered really cool news. Toledo, aka the “glass city,” is getting a glass and space program at the University of Toledo. It will be part of the Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub. Obviously, I expect it to take off like a rocket (pun intended for a few may get), and any time we can add more focus to our world- especially at the collegiate level- is a very good thing. I am confident this program will be very good, and I look forward to watching its progress go!
LINKS of the WEEK
Turning nuclear waste into glass? First I am hearing on this… very curious. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/hanford-site-moves-forward-project-turning-nuclear-waste-into-glass/GJ6I7LZKJJEN3EO2M2UBURWXEM/
New “smart glasses” for your Amazon delivery person? https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/smart-glasses-amazon-delivery-drivers
A message in a bottle! 100 years old and real. More than just a great song from "The Police" I guess. https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/wwi-soldiers-messages-in-a-bottle-found-on-australian-beach-more-than-100-years-later/
PROJECT of the WEEK
Out to the west coast… Located in Encinitas, CA, this is the Fox Point Brewing Co. and is San Diego County’s first farm-to-tap brewery. This is a project that was glazed by So Cal Glass Inc. Nice work - the glass fabrication was done by GLASSWERKS (will the elusive Randy Steinberg be at GlassBuild?) and Vitro manufactured the primary glass. It’s a beautiful and stylish project that showcases our products as the building's key feature. Kudos to all involved!! And if Fox Point brews Diet Dr. Pepper… I’ll make sure and visit. LOL.
