Must Attend Panel

Last month there was an incredible webinar that talked about design and Glass and Glazing.  I talked about it here and now I get to attempt to recreate that magic at the Glazing Executives Forum at GlassBuild.  I am moderating an all-star panel that’s going to cover the following issues and more:

-- Green New Deal

-- NYC/DeBlasio Issue

-- Codes and Regulatory Push

-- Trends in Glass Design & the challenges with those trends

-- Daylighting/Natural Light needs

-- Best projects

And a lot more… 

My panel is incredible with these folks

• ·     Nick Bagatelos, Bagatelos Architectural Glass, Inc.
• ·     Roberto Bicchiarelli, Permasteelisa North America
• ·     Paul Bush, Vitro Architectural Glass
• ·     Tom Culp, Birch Point Consulting
• ·     Steven Rainville, Olson Kundig (Incredible architecture firm)

So we have all bases covered- leading glazing contractors, primary glass manufacturer, code and regulatory consultants, and design.  While we are missing a traditional fabricator, I think my past can play a role.  This is going to be strong- so if you are coming to GlassBuild but have not signed up for the Glazing Executives Forum, do it now.  Worth it for this and the rest of the fabulous content all day long.  Any questions please feel free to reach out to me.

Elsewhere…

--  Big news from Canada this week with Ross Christie retiring from his day to day position at Walker Glass and Charles Alexander moving up and taking over that role.  Both guys are fabulous people.  I have known Ross for years and he’s an all time favorite of mine- great guy and I am happy for him that he can escape the daily grind.  Charles has been a tremendous addition to the glass industry after joining Walker a few years ago- I love the insight and energy he brings and I expect that only to continue.  Walker is a constant supporter of the glass industry and I am thankful to them for always stepping up- I wish them only the best with this transition.

--  The crazy story of the sinking San Francisco Millennium Building continues… now it looks like there is a fix… and it’ll only cost 100 mil… 

--  Once again we are back at it with Hurricane season.  After a very quiet start we are now heavy into it… thoughts and prayers out to everyone in the seemingly always changing paths of these storms.

--  I often get asked “How can we get more involved in the industry” well here’s a way… call for presentations are out for Annual Conference in 2020.  Click here for more…

--  There was a typo in the “Great Glazing” piece on e-Glass Weekly last week so I wanted to bring extra positive attention to it.  The piece featured an incredible job in Australia using dynamic glass from Suntuitive.  The dynamic space is just bursting at the seams with breakthrough projects all over.  This building is absolutely gorgeous.  Will be interesting to watch this process continue…

--  Last this week- PLEASE check out my video of the week… it’s a little different than you expect from me.  It is about the Whale Shark… and how we can help to save this magnificent fish.  The video is only 5 minutes but it’s stunning and beautiful to watch (props to Justin Dalaba for an amazing job) so please check it out.

LINKS of the WEEK

This is excellent… captured audience and get them registered to vote!

So this is cool- what were some of the biggest companies in the world now doing 20 years ago

Inside the challenge to keep teachers in rural school districts

VIDEO of the WEEK

Here it is as I mentioned above- very important and interesting.

Deeper Dive

In my last post the initial theme was the rough waters of the economy starting to stir.  Since then the drumbeat from overall forecasts have been on that same path but of course much louder and in some cases more negative.  Right now we have two angles in play.  One is that this softening we are having is temporary and was expected and predicted earlier this year.  It will clear up and 2020 will be a solid year.  The other is that so much has changed with regards to imports and other economic factors that we are headed for a longer drop.  So, here’s where I am right now… first and foremost I try and stay away from the overall noise politically and try and focus on the data.  And I focus on the analysts that I trust.  What I am seeing is the softness creeping in now and will be with us for a few months, but the metrics I follow are all showing growth moving into 2020.  Starts are solid and look to stay that way for a bit.  Residential is scuffling though and that is a real concern but there’s been some positive data about the future there so we may not see that slow down last and then affect the commercial business a year after. As we know when residential drops, commercial follows a year later, so while we are in a danger zone right now residentially I am not ready to call it yet.  And as I have noted many times before…  this is the time where you have to ramp up the communication, where you have to prepare for the worst, and where you have to start enacting those plans to diversify your business. 

So those of you who know me now know what I am going to say… it is more important than ever to get to GlassBuild this year.  With all of this hanging out there, missing this show and all that comes with it would be a brutal move.  I know most who read my blog are coming to the show, but if you are on the fence or know someone who is- push em off on to the side of attending!  More people there means more educated folks in the market and hopefully a smarter approach to whatever economic adventure we are about to face.

Elsewhere…

So this blog starts heavy and as you’ll see below ends heavy, so in the middle I wanted something light.  The annual ranking of the 50 best and worst airports is out and I am pretty fired up.  As a road warrior I feel like I have this racquet down, but I guess I am not yet on same page as the experts.  How about all of you?

Best Airports:

1-    San Diego- Ok it’s a good airport-and a great city- but the best?  No way.  There is no available places to plug in your phone and limited places to eat.  It may be my favorite vacation spot but not my favorite airport.

2-    Phoenix- Are you kidding me?  No way.

3-    Portland- I’m floored.  Nice airport but not 3^rd OA

4-    Atlanta- Hey it’s the busiest airport in the world now- I have no issues with it ranked here as they actually do amazing given the size and traffic

5-    Sacramento- I have never flown in or out of there- so no idea

Worst:

46- Southwest Florida International- Its small but is it the 5^th worst in US?  No way

47- Detroit- OK I am ready to fight these people.  Old Detroit was the worst by far- new?  No way.  Clean. Bright.  Tons of food and power options.  Easy to get around.  Sorry this is so wrong.  This is a top 5 airport and better than Phoenix and Portland by miles.

48- Fort Lauderdale- I actually agree with this one.  Especially with construction everywhere it is a bear.

49- Orlando- Pretty darn bad but there are worse than this being next to last

50- Chicago Midway- Yes this ranking has them dead last.  It’s not a good airport but the true worst airport in the US is EASILY Newark.  How that that is not in the bottom five or last is unreal.  Also LaGuardia is misery right now- that could also be last.  Philly is a brutal airport- that is undoubtedly bottom 5.

On the ones that should be tops? Dulles is awesome.  Minnesota is very good.  Cincinnati is a super smaller airport- quiet and comfortable. Dallas Love impressed me last time in.  It may be time we have our own “Best and Worst” Poll

Last this week… I was incredibly saddened by the news that Bill Keen of TEPCO Glazing passed away.  Bill was one of those guys who always was positive and friendly, tremendous resource of info and insight.  Bill was also one of the folks at the GANA BEC level that showed massive support my way when I first got involved.  I will always be grateful that he showed me such kindness and direction.  My condolences to his family and friends.  We’ve lost yet another tremendous talent and great human.

LINKS of the WEEK

Hulk Hogan just is always in some sort of adventure online.  This one probably got a guy fired.

Love this… great stuff and this should catch the attention of my pal Andrew Haring who is a great supporter of Women in Construction

City planning at its finest… or NOT

VIDEO of the WEEK

In case you missed it… some of the most talented women in our industry added their thoughts to why they are going to GlassBuild.  Another set of excellent reasons why attending makes so much sense. 

Bumpy Week, Soft Conditions Ahead

It was a uneven past week economically in our world. This certainly could possibly be the “bump” in the road that was predicted earlier this year for some time in 2019.  If you remember when I wrote about my speech in Texas earlier this year, I noted that analysis coming down the pike said we’d soften but eventually bounce back for 2020.  Looks like we are there now as seemingly every forecast or update I see is showing weakness and even more convincing is a slowing in the residential setting.  That has always been the alarm bell… when residential slows up- look out.  So we will see how this all progresses.  Obviously so much of this is fluid… The tariff issue rocked the markets this week and we still have a very fragile geopolitical landscape… so hold on tight folks.

Elsewhere…

--  Speaking of past topics- that webinar I noted from the NGA and Architectural Record which was so amazing is now available for all and worth checking out.  You can find it HERE!

--  Thanks to everyone who wrote in last week on the GlassBuild for Glaziers angle… most people gave me positive insights but I did get a note that said the show felt light on items for the glazier.  All I could say is come on back this year and check it out… I think you’ll come away impressed.  

--  This month’s Glass Magazine review…  wow what a freaking cover!  Beautiful and eye catching… Grow Your Business at GlassBuild America is the very appropriate and accurate headline. So of course, it is the preview edition for the show and the issue is packed with insight and info.  I especially like the product previews.  I can never get enough of those.  In addition, a MUST READ from Stephanie Miller on EPD and HPD.  Why is it must read?  Because so many people have questions on those processes and Stephanie answers them perfectly! 

--  Ad of the month… since this is one of the more popular issues of the year, more ads end up in it which makes me giving out this ultra-prestigious honor so much harder!  So there are actually 3 ads to recognize... Quanex with a cool future play.  TGP using “SPEC” smartly while promoting their products, and SoftSolution with that eye of the Tiger (I assume a Tiger?) staring you down.  All good ads that worked nicely.  Overall though this was an incredible batch of work by many companies.  Some excellent marketing folks really raising the bar to bring brand awareness to the forefront!

--  Please check out my video of the week… it came via the great John Wheaton and it’s worth the watch… it’s “the man behind the worlds ugliest buildings” and if you don’t chuckle several times I’ll be stunned!

--  By the time I write again here College Football will have started… and I will tell you I love College Football.  Sleeper team this year?  Going to be my pal Steve Cohen’s Penn State Nittany Lions.  (And right now Steve is cussing me out for putting the jinx on- sorry Steve).  Winning it all though is going to be Alabama… no way Nick Saban allows his team not to win it all after losing last year.

--  Last this week… no blog from me next week… I will return to this space the week of 8/25.  If news happens though I will cover on Twitter and LinkedIn. 

LINKS of the WEEK

Not sure what I think about this with RING and Amazon connected to the Police.

This is not a joke... wild lawsuit here

I did see this picture come out online and knew there was no way it was legit.  I’m amazed the airline was allowed to even fly with the seats broken like this.

VIDEO of the WEEK

As noted earlier… video of the week was sent my way from John Wheaton and it is perfect… great laugh for all of us!!!

It's for GLAZIERS Too!

Curious on what everyone else thinks on this… Obviously by now you all know I am all about GlassBuild, the show has been a client of mine for years, so of course I am going to be in heavy promo mode.  Anyway had someone tell me they are not coming to GlassBuild because “GlassBuild is a machinery show and there’s nothing for the glazier.”  That threw me because I know better but I think not enough people in our world do.  GlassBuild is the ultimate annual show for EVERYTHING in our industry.  Yes machinery has a big and impressive part, but there is so much more to it and for the glazier… well there’s a massive amount of growth and opportunity waiting at every turn. 

A glazier coming to GlassBuild allows you to OWN your supply chain.  Everyone you need is either exhibiting or walking the floor.  Every single item that a glazier uses on a daily basis will have multiple supply groups there to talk to… how can you pass that up?  Then you look at the technology with lifting and labor?  (Folks like Smartlift, Ergo, Sydercrane, Quttrolifts etc. my gosh its impressive who is there!) Everyone wants more efficiency in the field and GlassBuild has those answers… on the floor thanks to many different excellent exhibitors.  How about software for estimating or project managing?  Check.  And how about if you want to see how these technologies work?  It’s all there either in an exhibit or at the Action Demos.  Put the seminars and speeches on top and you have EVERYTHING you need to grow and advance your business.    So I turn to you dear readers… doesn’t this seem to be enough to get a glazier to the show?  Should I try a different path?

Elsewhere…

--  Big congrats to old friend Michael Schmidt on his new position at Glaston.  Very excited to see what he’ll do with the vast product lines at his fingertips and I look forward to standing in line to see him at all the shows.  I say this because there is always a crowd around Michael at the shows…

--  Also congrats out to the folks at AAMA and IGMA for their news on the combination of those organizations.   A lot of very good people involved there and I expect this be a positive for the industry.

--  And last this week before the Big 3 interview, one more set of Congrats – this to the fine men and women who achieved AGMT Glazier Certification.  Our industry now has 177 newly certified professionals and that is an excellent start in that process!  Kudos to the folks behind AGMT for tireless work in getting this going.

Big 3 Interview- Michael Blackmore, President, Ballistic Glass and Armor Solutions

I believe this may be the first interview I have done with someone I have not met in person yet.  But after I saw the video embedded below, I just had to reach out and interview.  Security and protective glazing is a growth area and I truly admire men like Michael who are determined to protect lives and property.  Fascinating guy and I look forward to meeting him person some day… but until then you gotta watch this video and then check out the interview- it is a fun one!

Your videos- where you stand behind your product are super.  How did you come up with the idea to do this and did you have any fear at all in the product not holding up?

The idea to do the “shoot me” videos was simply an “old school” approach to business that is the core of our approach to everything. We only put products on the market that we know will work… every time. I couldn’t think of a better way to communicate that... so I said… “Shoot me.” As far as fear... I was petrified…but not for the reason you may think. I knew our products would reject the rounds, I didn’t flinch when the shots were fired. I was petrified that the cameras wouldn’t capture the event on first take. It had taken 12 hours to setup the stage as a shooting booth…. And we didn’t have time to re-set for a second take. Thank God, the cameras worked fine.

Your company has a very strong relationship with law enforcement organizations all over the country.  How has that helped you and BGAS as you develop protective products for the glass industry?

Thank you for recognizing that. We absolutely support the “Thin Blue Line” the vast majority of law enforcement is comprised of exceptionally good and committed individuals. Unfortunately, this sometimes gets lost when the spotlight is directed at the rare “bad apples” in this community.

Having good relationships with law enforcement has definitely helped our efforts. We were honored to be chosen for all ballistic aspects of the NYPD Times Square Station and BGAS is the specified supplier for all ballistic glazing, framing, doors, and walls for NYPD in all five boroughs.

Law enforcement relationships are particularly important in rural America. Whenever a concern develops there, (bank, utility payment centers, check cashing, pawn shop, school, car dealer… and of course government buildings, and the police station), the first call made is to the police chief to take him/her for a cup of coffee to see what they think. This leads to an invitation for BGAS to consult and help develop the RIGHT solution to defeat the threat they are concerned about. (Forced entry., pistols, all rifles, and even blast and explosions).

Looking back to when you were a kid or teen, what did you initially want to be when you grew up?  Did you ever think you’d be protecting people and saving lives with products you invented and/or innovated?

What did I want to be? Well… I rode my first bull in a rodeo when I was 14, and turned professional at 17. That is a young man’s sport and I retired at 21.

It is a long journey from the rodeo arena to our state of the art glazing plant in Addison, TX and fabrication plants in Oklahoma.

I will tell you Max… it is very rewarding pursuing our primary objective of “saving lives and protecting assets” …. And providing out clients with true peace of mind.

LINKS of the WEEK

Very interesting mail delivery!!

We all want 10,000 steps a day right?  But who set this goal and is it right?  Good read here.

Big story this week on a wild way to pay less for college… by giving up custody of your kids…

VIDEO of the WEEK

If you have not seen the Bruce Buffer video yet for GlassBuild check it out here… It is a hoot!!  Seriously watch it- I wish I had his energy!