Two of the glass industry's most prominent products have been in the news over the last week+, and sadly, it was for awful reasons. We had a school shooting tragedy and a bird migration disaster. Both buildings featured some of the right products, but not all- more like half measures- and the price was unfortunately paid.
At the school shooting in Bend, Oregon, the shooter deliberately avoided the secured front entrance and went to a side entrance with a double door that did not feature the high-performing school security glass this industry is pumping out. The shooter had easy access and was in.
In Chicago, at Northwestern University, the Kellogg Global Hub had been on bird monitors’ radar from the jump, and while they finally applied bird-friendly film, it was only on the first 3 floors. It was a band-aid, and at least 1,000 birds paid the price. That building was completed in 2017, and Bird Friendly glass was available then… not as widespread as it is now, but it was out there and should’ve been used.
We are making and innovating products that can improve these scenarios and save lives. But those products need to be used in all the right places. It’s great that schools are doing their vestibule, but they need to do every single entry point. It was okay that Northwestern added some bird-friendly film, but if they'd spoken to any bird monitor, they would’ve been told this would eventually happen. (betting they were probably told) These moves (main entrance in Oregon and 3 floors in Chicago) probably made people feel like they were doing something, and they were, but it wasn’t enough.
So, how do we fix that? As an industry, we need to keep ramping up the information we share with all parties. I'd bet the glaziers on these two jobs saw these red flags and said something, and someone probably dismissed it. We need to talk louder there and everywhere. And more often. Both school security and bird-friendly glass have enough manufacturers that they can amplify the message to potential users. Your glaziers know you have it- let’s find a way to grow the messaging beyond that. Obviously, we all in the glass industry know how hard it is to educate and inform. It’s basically a nightmare, but for the good and safety of our world, we need to do it. Meetings like the NGA Glass Conference (I noted its importance last week) play a role, and we need to hone and develop strategy there and elsewhere to improve these situations.
Also, a thank you to Heidi Trudell and Scott Goodman, who both immediately brought the Northwestern catastrophe to my attention.
Elsewhere…
-- ICYMI, my latest podcast was a great ride. The feedback has been strong, with people recognizing and valuing almost everything Scott Thomsen of Luxwall, Brendan Champion, and Andrew Leopard of 1st Choice Glass said. I loved hearing from folks who listened to it on their runs, in their cars, offices, and, of course, on their walks around the park, & tip of the hat to my sister Marcie, a loyal listener! So check it out, and THANK YOU for your continued support.
AUDIO (also search “From the Fabricator” on Spotify and Apple)
Thank you to the folks at FHC, Frameless Hardware Company, for their support!
-- We had a deal in the industry this past week: Salem is adding Matodi to its ranks. That is operating company #5 under Salem, and Matodi will continue to operate under its name and operations. Dapper Dan Reinhart (who marked the 15-year milestone at Salem this past week) and company are out there making news and moving the needle. We need good, strong companies in all areas, so this was nice to see. Kudos to all involved.
-- Last this week… I gotta lighten it up… So I saw a poll showing “Favorite ice cream flavors by state,” and I have to say I was pretty shocked by vanilla's power! 19 states had vanilla as their leader. Kudos to New York & Connecticut for choosing peanut butter. Yum! Five states chose coffee-flavored as their favorite (not me at all), but shockingly, the home of coffee, Washington state, wasn't one of them. They went with Rocky Road. But the winner, to me? The fine folks from Wisconsin who chose Moose Tracks! Amazing choice by the Badger state! See the whole graphic HERE.
LINKS of the WEEK
-- I’m not an AirBnB guy- but these rule updates sound pretty fair and right https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/new-airbnb-rules-ban-hosts-from-making-guests-wash-dishes-do-laundry-other-checkout-chores-3420832/
-- World record for “chin ups” – yeah this guy has some serious strength https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6dxwkd50d2zo
-- I can’t even wrap my head around this. Wedding venue refuses to return deposit after fiancé dies a few months before the ceremony… and the it gets even worse… wow. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/09/23/unjust-and-ghoulish-wedding-venue-keeps-nearly-dollar16k-after-groom-to-be-dies-then-countersues-fiancee/
By the way- The venue ended up settling. Brutal business acumen by that group.
PROJECT of the WEEK
I’m a big fan of Karolina Styk at Press Glass (and I found out at GlassBuild that I wasn’t alone- quite a few people in that fan club). Recently, I saw one of her projects, and it’s one of those “wow” efforts. This is the Two Kings Casino in North Carolina. That color comes from IG’s, with the OB being laminated with a few different Vanceva colors. Fabulous. Some may look at this one and remember past vibrant, color-led projects, but this one is surely much more impressive than anything we did before. A1 Glass was the glazier, and Peerless provided the framing with their Talon Wall. Nice work, everyone! This will catch some eyeballs.
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