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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

From the fabricator: New code, new year

This week as I was reviewing my Twitter feed, I came across a tweet from green building consultant and guru Arlene Stewart on the forthcoming energy codes. The title of the report that Arlene linked to is “Are You Ready for the Mandatory Measures in the New Green Building Codes?”, and it is required reading for everyone in our industry that wants to get a feel for what is happening. These codes and the mandatory aspects are just the start; there’s more coming, and I expect some to be good for our industry and some to be bad. The key is educating yourself on what is happening and making the necessary preparations. And that will include working with the big suppliers; attending industry workshops, forums, and shows; and of course, making sure you monitor media like Glass Magazine to stay on top of the latest.

Elsewhere…

  • This is my last blog of the calendar year. I’ll be back at it the week of 1/6, unless something big goes down.
  • Once again this week, USA Today went after the USGBC and green building in schools. I am really enjoying that such a major media outlet is going so hard after this. And in my opinion, it has been dead on. The flaws within LEED are pretty obvious, and it’s great that they are being exposed on a national level. A lot of time and resources have been squandered chasing points instead of true sustainability.
  • Happy Anniversary to the fine folks at Heitmann & Associates, as they celebrate 46 years in business. Congrats gang!
  • This very cool article on the Top 12 Memorable Marketing Campaigns of 2012 got me thinking: Which marketing campaigns in our industry would make a list like that? So, without further delay, my picks for 2012 are:
  1. Overall champ: TGP. They have had a tremendous year in the marketing space, really well done. They have done it all well, including social, print, and call-to-action pieces. The Razwick family and guys like Devin Bowman and Chuck Knickerbocker are already excellent, and this approach just makes them more so.
  2. Best magazine ads would go to Kawneer and Cardinal. Both groups came up with sharp, readable and eye-catching pieces. I also liked PPG’s “hugger” ads.
  3. Best mixed media and promotional push: YKK AP. They are active and energized,and just constantly pushing the envelope. Their effort at AIA this year (among other trade shows) was incredible and will be a challenge to top.
  4. Last, for best use of social media: the gang at Guardian. They have embraced this approach and really owned it. It’s like having a whole additional media outlet at your disposal. And yes, I'm sure I might have missed some folks in my very unscientific approach, so please feel free to point out anyone you think deserves some props!
  • While I'm off for a few weeks, the NFL season will end, and I need to give props to reader Dan for calling out that the Dolphins might win more than the Jets this year. That still could happen, as the Dolphins have played much better than I thought, and the Jets have played worse. My playoff predictions look pretty solid though; the Baltimore-Chicago Super Bowl is looking pretty shaky. We will see…
  • Well, that’s all for 2012 folks. Thank you to everyone who reads and comments (both publicly on here and privately to me).  I truly appreciate it. I know this blog has evolved from a biting, sometimes nasty take on things, to a kindler, gentler piece, but yet you all have stayed with me and continued to support the effort. Thank you. My best wishes to everyone for a very happy holiday season and a happy, healthy, a profitable 2013!! See you on the other side!

Read on for links and clip of the week...

The author is founder of Sole Source Consultants, a consulting firm for the building products industry that specializes in marketing, branding, communication strategy and overall reputation management, as well as website and social media, and codes and specifications. E-mail him at MaxP@SoleSourceConsultants.com.

The opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Glass Association, Glass Magazine editors, or other glassblog contributors.

10 comments
Monday, December 10, 2012

From the fabricator: A big win, for now

 

When the U.S. Department of Commerce leveled an anti-dumping duty on Chinese aluminum extrusion products back in 2011, it did have a significant effect on many companies. Importers had to take a step back, and some companies that brought in Chinese product had to scramble for new suppliers. Now, the DOC has ruled that curtain-wall units and other parts of a curtain-wall system are subject to the duties as well, and I fully expect some consequential fallout. The debate was fierce leading up to this decision, and I have a feeling that the folks who lost are not going away quietly.  I just don’t think this is over.  In the meantime, however, I have to give props to the folks from Architectural Aluminum & Glass, Bagatelos Architectural and Walters & Wolf.  They stepped up to the plate and put themselves in the battle. Believe me, I have been in the middle of these issues in the past, and you’d be amazed how many folks talk a big game, but when push comes to shove they turtle under. These guys didn’t. Good for them.

 

Elsewhere…

  • Happy Hanukah, or Chanukah, or however you want to spell it.  As I have noted here in the past, I don’t think there is a wrong spelling.
  • This holiday season, I'm sure many of you are looking to get a new tablet or update the one you have. I have been hearing great things about the new Microsoft Surface, though it is very pricey. I am still an iPad guy myself and hoping that sometime during Hanukah, a new one is waiting for me.
  • And when I get it, one of the first apps I will download will be Glass Magazine’s.  Right now, I use it all the time. It’s a great app and a super way to read the magazine, which is always excellent.  I like how the updated news comes on, making it a really up-to-date app. And you get must-read content, like this past month's codes article from Julie Ruth.  It truly is a crucial work piece.
  • Back in early October, Jenni Chase did the blog of the year about being a “glass geek,” and at the time it got a ton of action. Now on LinkedIn, that blog has gotten renewed interest, as in one of the forums, it's one of the most popular and commented upon pieces.  With that, came a great line from Thomas Moore as it pertains to our love for glass: "People look through the glass, and glass fanatics look at the glass."  So true….
  • Cool education event lined up by the gang at SAPA: the Profile Academy for Building and Construction.  Really a loaded educational agenda set for February in Atlanta.  Registration ends in mid-January, so if you are a curtain-wall manufacturer, glazing contractor or aluminum fabricator, before you break for the holidays, you might want to check it out.
  • Congrats to my good friend Kelly Townsend on his new gig at Wausau. Don’t forget us little folks, Kelly, now that you have gone big time!
  • Last this week, a solid business book for you to check out.  Its called “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg and it offers some really neat insights on how companies like Target can predict what their customers may be purchasing.  Plus, there’s a great psychological appeal to the book as it explains habits and cues and their effect on daily life. Quick informative read. 

The author is founder of Sole Source Consultants, a consulting firm for the building products industry that specializes in marketing, branding, communication strategy and overall reputation management, as well as website and social media, and codes and specifications. E-mail him at MaxP@SoleSourceConsultants.com.


The opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Glass Association, Glass Magazine editors, or other glassblog contributors.
Monday, December 3, 2012

So far, so good

Following several years of change and consolidation in the glass fabrication business, Glass Magazine published the Top Glass Fabricators list in December 2011, identifying leading companies in that market segment. We are working now to update this annual list for the January/February 2013 issue. I have received many submissions ahead of the December 10 deadline, and the results have been encouraging. So far, an overwhelming majority of companies have reported that sales are headed in the right direction, with sales volumes increasing in 2011 over the previous year. Looking ahead, the majority of fabricators are also reporting that they anticipate adding product lines as part of their future expansion plans.

While these survey results are preliminary, I say "so far, so good." To make sure your company is included in the Top Glass Fabricator rankings, please fill out the survey by December 10. If you need a copy, please email me and I will send the survey to you ASAP. And to those of you who have already participated, thank you. As is the case for all the industry leader lists we publish, we aim to provide benchmarks for the industry, and these markers are always a reflection of each company’s participation. 

Chase is editorial director of Glass Magazine, GlassMagazine.com and e-glass weekly. Write her at jchase@glass.org.

1 comments
Sunday, December 2, 2012

From the fabricator: Approaching the cliff

One of the big news items in the world right now is the fiscal cliff discussion in Washington. Given the extremely important situation, it blows me away that it wasn’t heavily discussed during the election cycle. I sometimes don’t get the priorities out there. In any case, I think all of us have a stake in what might happen, and last week, I saw this article providing some insight from folks connected with the construction industry. It’s an interesting read, and as the next four weeks tick down to the deadline, I am hopeful that the best deal for the country and our industry will be made.

Elsewhere...

  • Once again, USA Today jumped into the construction industry discussion, this time with a story discussing the labor shortage and worries that if/when the economy really comes back, there won’t be anyone to fill the jobs. This is a discussion I have written about a few times.  In our industry, we still don’t have the bench or bullpen necessary to deal with an influx of business, and with cashflow so tight, no one can afford the luxury of carrying extra folks. There’s no question this will be an issue that will slap us hard. It's fascinating to see the national media catching on.
  • Congrats to Seth Patterson, who just picked up a promotion at Thermal Windows Inc. Seth is a very good guy and Thermal a solid company. Very exciting for both parties!
  • I saw that Gary Curtis and Jeff Baker were back on the board at NFRC, but then I figured that story had to be a reprint from 2005. It wasn’t. For those of you who once upon a time were involved in the NFRC discussions, you probably are shaking your head. This is the ultimate of “the more things change….”
  • Last weekend, USC played Notre Dame. At the start of the season, I picked USC to win it all…. Once again soooo wrong! Meanwhile, I am thrilled for the Irish and their fans: guys like Jerry Decker of WinDoor and former NGA VP David Walker. Those guys have to be on cloud nine right now. The championship will be tough though; Alabama is a beast and Nick Saban one of the best.
  • Oh by the way, I am calling it now: Ohio State will win it all in 2013. They have the easiest schedule in modern football history and an incredible coach in Urban Meyer.
  • Fellow road warriors, have you gotten caught by the newest trick in your hotel room? At every hotel I've stayed at recently, when I go to take a shower, the showerhead is pointed out towards the bathroom. So when you sleepily roll into to start the shower, you get alive quite quick as water sprays everywhere. I have a feeling this is the hotel service folks having fun with all of us.
  • Last this week, once upon a time I was a runner. And in the groove, I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I have fallen hard off that wagon. Maybe I’ll get to it in 2013. In any case, maybe I won’t after seeing an article in the Wall Street Journal that says running may not be the best for you as you age. In fact, it could even be bad for you! I actually can’t wait for Bill Evans to read the piece and see what he says, given he’s one of the most accomplished runners I know. In the meantime, this article is going to be my “get out of exercise free” card…. Yep I’m only looking out for my health!!!! LOL

Read on for links and clip of the week...

The author is founder of Sole Source Consultants, a consulting firm for the building products industry that specializes in marketing, branding, communication strategy and overall reputation management, as well as website and social media, and codes and specifications. E-mail him at MaxP@SoleSourceConsultants.com.

The opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Glass Association, Glass Magazine editors, or other glassblog contributors.

2 comments