The newest episode of the From the Fabricator Podcast is now out! This time out I kick it off with Steven Acker of Wicona/Hydro. Steven has seen it all- and then some in a very stellar career in our industry so cover that, we talk repurposing of buildings and the first ever Acker Building Index (my “ABI”- not the one below) hits on where things are going in our world. Impressive guy and company! Next was Nick St. Denis of KMR Media & Research for his yearly visit to review/preview the forecasts. He looked at 2024, worked the angles on 2025 and gave some profound insight overall- including “Steady and Boring” which is actually a good thing. Listen/Watch to find out why! Anyway both folks incredible people! Thank you!
AUDIO (or Search “From the Fabricator” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts)
Once again, FHC-Frameless Hardware Company was the presenting sponsor this month. Thank you to the team for their support!
Elsewhere…
-- This coming week I’ll be in southern California with the sharpest technical minds in our industry. Somehow, they’re letting me into the NGA Glass Conference: Carlsbad and I am very excited to experience it and learn—especially the school security workshop among many other items. Just being in that room automatically will make me smarter. (I know it's not a big lift there…lol… but still!). I’ll report back here next week on it all.
--NOTE!!! If you are coming to BEC (and I am sure many of you are) MAKE SURE you book your hotel by February 5th. That is the hotel rate cutoff. Thank you!
-- So, I briefly noted above the ABI- and so the traditional ABI- the latest Architectural Billings Index was released- and it was very ugly. All the gains from the last 2 months were crushed when the number of 44.1 was released. And that was BEFORE the Fed announced they were cooling their heels on a rate increase. We knew things would be a battle, and that continues, but I am fired up over the Acker Building Index, which gives me some hope for the future. Unfortunately, I think we’re in for another bad one next month, and hopefully soon after, the upward swing can take place.
-- The latest Glass Magazine is out – this was the “What’s Ahead 2025” edition, and it is a must-read. Once again, the awesome NGA/Glass Magazine team knocked it out of the park! (Kudos Katy Devlin, Norah Dick, Tara Lukasik, and Rachel Vitello). Article wise make sure you check out the piece on Building of the Next Generation. Very strong. Also, one of my faves in this industry (but a guy I never get to see or talk to anymore), Devin Bowman of Technical Glass Products and AD Systems, brought it with a super piece on Glass being a part of the healthcare world and healing! Nice work! All in all, like I said above- really good. If you are not getting this mailed to you- subscribe! Or go to https://www.glassmagazine.com/current-issue to read online.
The ad of the month? This task was crazy for me, as at least six or seven ads could’ve won. You folks are raising the game! But as I do each time, I make the tough call and pick one. This time, it was Viprotron with the snazzy STOP sign and a red, white, and blue companion ad that delivered. Nice work, Sandra Kugler, Terry Gibney, and all others who may have had a hand in this one.
-- I received a cool note from the incredible Cal Beyer of the SAFE Project this week asking me to share a very helpful video on alcohol awareness. As many of you know, Cal has been very active within the NGA and at our events, giving presentations on substance use and addiction treatment and recovery. The film is only three minutes long and can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg92u_FKphA. Please check it out.
Cal also shared a link to an article discussing ideas for de-emphasizing alcohol at company gatherings: https://cfma.org/articles/promoting-a-recovery-ready-workplace-by-de-emphasizing-alcohol-at-company-gatherings. Thank you for all you do, Cal!
-- Pretty significant deal this past week when the great Ty Clem of Window Outfitters worked out a groundbreaking arrangement with the team at IUPAT. Details can be found HERE, but the basic gist is that Ty and the IUPAT have a partnership that will assess, classify, and train Ty’s workforce to differentiate him from other brokers while simultaneously raising standards for the industry. You all know me- raising standards is a must for me and I love each and every angle to get there. Kudos to all involved- this is big as in the past there’s no way even a discussion would be held, let alone an agreement.
-- Last this week… The Super Bowl is set. And I called it. However, I called it before the playoffs started, not the season. (Stupid Cowboys) I had KC and Philly with KC winning yet again. We’ll see what happens but I just want a good game… and of course good commercials please!
LINKS of the WEEK
Those monkeys I had here in this section recently- the ones who escaped- all have been recaptured.
Not sure how this works? Donating 100% of profit to charity?
Tragic accident in a HS Track and Field event- and trying to make sense of it.
PROJECT of the WEEK
One of my all-time favorites is Tom Nesbitt of United Architectural Metals. This past week, after years of asking, Tom agreed to do my podcast later this year. So, in honor of that, I thought his company should get the prestigious weekly honor for Project of the Week!
This is… CWRU Tinkham Veale University Center – Cleveland, OH. Knockout of a building featuring 26,000 sq ft of UAM’s unitized curtain wall system. Looks spectacular and the Perkins&Will design indeed hits the mark. I don’t know who fabricated the glass but kudos there on the outcome after being installed by United Glass & Panel. Congrats to all involved and now I can’t wait to get Tom on the pod!!
