Latest Articles
May 26, 2009
Brace yourselves for a bumpy ride. Throughout 2009, the value of total construction starts--residential, nonresidential and non-building--is expected to decline 11 percent, and commercial construction starts are projected to fall 21 percent, according to McGraw-Hill Construction Research & Analytics, Construction Outlook Overview, released in January 2009. In addition, the value of the ...
Red flags and examples of fraudulent orders
March 18, 2009
Scammers continue to target the glass industry with fraudulent orders that could cost companies thousands of dollars, if not caught in time. The best protection for glass shops is education and being able to identify the red flags for fraud.
What effect has the credit crunch had on your company and/or customers?
September 12, 2008
CommercialMichael Haber, managing partnerW&W Glass, Nanuet, N.Y.The current credit crisis is having a profound effect on our business on several fronts. One of the first things that we have experienced is the difficulty in getting paid in a timely manner due to the extensive reporting requirements requested from the various lending institutions. We have also seen several projects put on hold ...
July 22, 2008
Material price escalation is a business risk faced by all contractors. Given current economic circumstances, this risk is roaring back into prominence with double-digit annual rates of price increases for many types of construction materials.
May 1, 2008
Report card When asked to identify the primary measure of success for their business, the majority of auto glass respondents to the 2007 National Glass Association Competitiveness Survey said they relied on net income to gauge their company’s progress.
March 1, 2008
Editor’s note: The following article is the final installment of a two-part series on steps auto glass retailers can take to address declining profit margins. The first article appeared on Page 14 of the January/February 2008 issue.In my previous column, I offered advice on how to improve your bottom line in the face of shrinking margins. First, be objective in your review and assessment ...
January 1, 2008
Editor’s note: The following article is part one of a two-part series on steps auto glass retailers can take to address declining profit margins. Look for the next article in the March/April 2008 issue of AutoGlass. Shrinking margins are top of mind for many auto glass replacement businesses today. I have no doubt that every company involved in AGR has suffered reduced profitability, and ...
Cost hikes offset volume, price increases for some retailers
January 1, 2008
Auto glass repair and replacement retailers anticipated net income would decline 3 percent in 2007, according to the 2007 National Glass Association Competitiveness Survey. The primary culprits: rising energy, fuel and insurance costs. Conducted by The MPI Group, Shaker Heights, Ohio, the survey provides a comprehensive view of the performance and business practices of 22 U.S. auto glass repair ...
May 1, 2007
Sales and marketing, and customer service and support topped respondents’ list of targeted areas for capital spending in 2006, according to the “National Glass Association Competitiveness Survey.” The majority of survey respondents consisted of privately held dealer/ retailers with annual sales of less than $5 million that depend on auto glass replacement sales for the majority ...
Survey reveals similar trends in auto and architectural glazing
May 1, 2007
Few corporations are able to sustain competitiveness without investing in equipment and tools to help them achieve their goals, and glass companies are no different. National Glass Association members participating in the 2006 NGA Competitiveness Survey report that they invested a median 5 percent—average 14.7 percent—in capital equipment and median 2 percent—average 3.7 ...
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