Innovative ideas

While economic experts continue to debate the country’s current financial health, industry members are looking to the future as they prepare to gather at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 for GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door Expo. New products, technologies, market trends and opportunities will be the focus of the event, as the industry looks beyond the recession to recovery.

More than 400 anticipated suppliers representing 15 countries will be on the floor in Atlanta, including 45 companies new to the show. Of those suppliers, several have expanded their booth space. (A sneak peek of what attendees can expect to see from exhibitors is available here.)

“The number of high-quality companies that have committed to the show and the steady pace of outstanding early attendee registrations are very encouraging signs,” says Denise Sheehan, vice president of industry events for the National Glass Association, McLean, Va. “The industry is demonstrating great commitment … and given the economy, we’re preparing for what is shaping up to be a very strong show.”

Innovative ideas
Innovation in the form of new products, technologies and business strategies will be a recurring theme throughout the event, both on the show floor and in the educational sessions. This will mark the first year GlassBuild America will feature an Innovations Pavilion dedicated to energy conservation and solar technology, as well as new products and design. J.E. Berkowitz, Pedricktown, N.J.; En-Wall, Las Vegas; MyGlassTruck.com, Glassboro, N.J.; Traco, Cranberry Township, Pa.; Dark Field Technologies, Orange, Conn.;Fenzi S.p.A. of Italy; Glasstech, Perrysburg, Ohio; Quality Powder Coating, Phoenix; Interlock USA, Reno; Vesuvius, Dillon, S.C.; and WTS Paradigm, Medford, Wis., are just some of the companies scheduled to participate in the pavilion.

In conjunction with the pavilion, Russ Ebeid, president, Glass Group, Guardian Industries, Auburn Hills, Mich., will moderate an interactive solar panel discussion Oct. 1, examining market trends and technology. Panelists will include: Gerald Fine, president and CEO, Schott North America, Elmsford, N.Y.; Daniel Lau, managing director, XYG Glass, Richmond, B.C.; Scott Thomsen, chief technology officer and group vice president, Guardian Industries; and Steven Coonen, vice president, Applied Solar, San Diego.

“The solar industry is currently facing several unique challenges that will shape how the industry evolves,” Fine says. “From technological manufacturing challenges to a difficult legislative and financial climate, the solar industry has to react and adapt with agility to establish a sustainable business.”

With challenge comes opportunity, and the session also will provide attendees guidance on how to profit from the adaptation of solar technology. 

“Solar electric as a glazing material can and should be handled through the glass distribution and glazing industry,” Coonen says. “Any glazing contractor can install this technology with the on-site electrician providing the wire routing. Tax incentives now make photovoltaics economical to the building owner, and the profit margins should go through the glass supply chain.”

Another profit opportunity lies in energy-efficient products, which will be the topic of discussion during the Energy Efficiency Town Hall Forum Oct. 1, sponsored by Edgetech IG, Cambridge, Ohio. Rich Walker, president and CEO of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, Schaumburg, Ill. , will moderate the panel featuring: Margaret Webb, executive director, Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance, Ottawa, Ontario; Richard Karney, program manager for the Department of Energy’s Energy Star Program, Washington, D.C.; Brandon Tinianov, chief technology officer, Serious Materials, Sunnyvale, Calif; Ray Garries, corporate manager, external affairs, Jeld-Wen, Klamath Falls, Ore.; Helen Sanders, senior vice president of operations for Sage Electrochromics, Faribault, Minn.; and Mike Manteghi, director of R&D, Traco.

“We anticipate a lively discussion that will help us all gain insight, take advantage of available opportunities and poise ourselves, as an industry, for future growth,” says Erin Johnson, director of marketing for Edgetech.

“There are several exciting developments that have enhanced the energy efficiency for commercial aluminum products,” adds Manteghi, who sits on the National Fenestration Rating Council’s board of directors. “The impact of these energy-efficient aluminum products has a significant impact on the overall building envelope where software packages are available to calculate an estimated energy savings.  I plan to speak in regards to future innovations, in particular commercial aluminum framing systems and the upcoming NFRC Component Modeling Approach energy rating for commercial buildings.”

Continuing the innovation theme, attendees also will be able to learn about the latest trends and options for decorative glass in a session Oct. 2 led by Yariv Ninyo, marketing director, Israel’s DIP Tech Ltd.; Bernard Lax, CEO of Pulp Studio, Los Angeles; and Jeff Nichols, vice president of sales and marketing, Standard Bent Glass, Butler, Pa. Nichols, for one, will focus on decorative laminated glass for interior and exterior design applications for curved and flat glass.

“The emphasis will be on custom patterns and digital and photographic images within the laminated glass interlayers,” he says. “In addition, I will explore ways to combine very custom decorative glass options with the demand for blast, ballistic and impact-resistant glass on the building facade.”

Glazing Executives Forum
The fourth annual Glazing Executives Forum will take place Sept. 30 in conjunction with GlassBuild America at the Georgia World Congress Center. Presented by NGA’s Architectural Glazing Committee, the all-day event will feature an economic forecast by Jeff Dietrich, senior analyst with the Institute for Trend Research, Concord, N.H. He will provide a glimpse of what lies ahead for the glass industry in North America and beyond in 2010 and 2011.

“In addition to highlighting some lessons learned, attendees will gain confidence in navigating the choppy economic waters before us,” he says. “[I will assist attendees in answering the question:] What leading indicators will help you see the future first and seize opportunities ahead of your competitors?”

The forum will feature eight breakout sessions on the following topics: estimating in a tough market; recruiting, training and retaining employees in the contract glazing industry; storefront and curtain wall; protective glazing products; trends in software and front-office tools; fire-rated products; contracts and legal issues; and green issues and sustainability.

“Everyone in the glass industry can benefit from the Glazing Executives Forum,” says Paul Main, GEF chairman and vice president, regional manager, for Trainor Glass Co. in Phoenix. “In addition to the great lineup of speakers, we will feature panel discussions on topics that are relevant to the state of our business today. The breakout sessions are always lively and informative, led by recognized leaders in the industry. It is also a chance to meet and network with people and companies similar to yours, small or large. Today’s challenging business climate gives us all a compelling reason to take advantage of the resources that only the GEF offers.”

Additional events
Marketing expert Andy Beal will lead an in-depth Web site clinic Oct. 2, during which he will analyze participants’ Web sites and offer practical advice on how to improve them.

“This highly practical seminar will dissect participants’ Web sites from top to bottom, examining design elements, customer service, Google analytics, reputation management and more,” says David Walker, NGA vice president of association services. “This kind of in-depth analysis will benefit a variety of conference participants, from retailers to glaziers to manufacturers.”

Attendees to GlassBuild America also will have the opportunity to participate in the “Architects of a Better Mind” seminars Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, presented by AAMA; a “State of the Window and Door Industry Economic Forecast” by Jeff Dietrich Oct. 1; and live impact demonstrations of non-impact and impact-resistant glass for commercial and residential windows on the trade show floor. For additional information on the exhibitors and educational opportunities at GlassBuild America, or to register for the event, visit www.GlassBuildAmerica.com.