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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Remember backlogs?

If you think back really hard, you might recall something called a backlog. Remember that once seemingly ubiquitous term? There hasn't been much talk of backlogs recently. However, I recently took a trip down e-glass weekly memory lane and discovered an August 2006 article, Selectivity helps glaziers control backlogs. The lead reads:

"In the midst of a busy nonresidential construction season, many glazing contractors nationwide face growing backlogs that stretch personnel resources and force managers to more carefully consider what projects they accept."

It was a totally different world back then, when backlogs were a major consideration for glazing contractors. That world was turned upside down by a Great Recession that continues to shake up our industry in some major ways. However, the word "backlog" has returned, albeit tentatively, to the vocabulary of some attendees here at the Building Envelope Contractors Conference in Las Vegas.

"In 2012, we have begun to see backlog," said Gloria Hale, president of Hale Glass. "We have been estimating like crazy. ... There's pent-up demand that's becoming opportunity."

Courtney Little, president, Ace Glass Construction Corp., said his company also is building up a healthy backlog. "Things have started to turn around for us," he said.

However, recovery has not ramped up in full for the industry. "These are still tough times for people," Little said. "Our company has a backlog, but nationally, I think it will be 2013 before we see improvements."

Despite the caveats, and the knowledge that the industry is certainly not out of the woods yet, hearing "backlog" spoken again has been music to my ears this week. Let's hope it once again becomes a must-cover editorial topic for us. 

Devlin is senior editor for Glass Magazine. Write her at kdevlin@glass.org.

7 comments
Tuesday, March 20, 2012

From the fabricator: Spring cleaning

I can’t remember the last time I sat at the computer and didn’t have a lead story for this blog. Well, this week I have a combination of writer's block and lack of story inspiration. The lack of stories is a good thing; we’ve had more than our fair share of drama lately, so I am not complaining. But the lack of action is bad from a writing standpoint. So because of my conundrum, I have decided to clear off my desk and just hit you with a bunch of quick comments and tidbits, so here it goes:

  • Congrats to Bernard Lax at Pulp Studios. He had a good week, announcing the acquisition of California Glass Bending and launching a redesigned website. Bernard is truly a visionary.
  • Can this weather really be true? What a bizarre and mellow winter. I still think an ice storm for Easter is coming, but regardless, this winter has been an amazing event and one that the folks who are on the global warming train will be pointing to. (And the last time I wrote on global warming a year or two ago, I got a ton of comments. Just making an observation here, not presenting an opinion)
  • However, these crazy conditions have had their rough moments, so best wishes go out to the fine folks at Quanex and their TruSeal factory in Kentucky after they were roughed up by the severe weather that ran through their area last week. I think we all thought we dodged the weather bullet in our industry, but evidently not. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery for all!
  • As many of you know, I am a fan of LinkedIn. When used correctly, it’s a great source. Anyway, my friends from Thermal Windows had a great link on their Twitter feed about how LinkedIn is a hacker's dream. Check it out here.
  • OHIO! LOVING the Ohio Bobcats. First, my alma mater did me proud with its stunning upset win over Michigan. It was made even better by the fact that I was at a hockey tournament with my son where all of the parents were checking their phones for the scores. Being the only Ohio fan in a Michigan crowd, I stood out like a sore thumb because I was getting fired up when everyone else was depressed. Anyway, a great win, but then winning Sunday night and making the SWEET 16 is beyond explanation. This is just too cool. Ohio vs North Carolina...Friday night in the Sweet 16; it's like a dream.
  • Saw that the end of the printed encyclopedia has come, at least from one major supplier. That is sad but correct. Now, when can we tell the architectural community that the time and need for binders have passed?
  • Thanks to the awesome Steve O’Hollaren of ICD for a great link about a losing coach going all “Mike Tyson” in a fight. I put this one up here instead of in the links because its just too comical not to share. Plus, it was an honor that Mr. O’Hollaren took the time to drop it to me!
  • OK, the desk is still a mess, but a little more clear. I am sure next week we’ll all be back to normal. And with a quick visit to BEC, I will surely have some news!

Read on for links and video 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.

6 comments
Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Dirty laundry

Yesterday, we published a special e-glass weekly report, breaking the news that Trainor Glass had filed for Chapter 11. An underlying question arises in these situations. What is important to cover in what is, after all, a bad news story for all involved, especially the former employees and suppliers that are owed money?

In bankruptcy stories, we try not to start by posting whatever financial details we gain access to. Many have told us they appreciate how we handle bankruptcy news because merely listing who’s owed what calls out companies potentially already in difficulty. The true value in covering bankruptcy stories is far deeper and more important.

With almost everyone I spoke to over the last several weeks about Trainor, the first reaction was shock followed by this question: What happened to cause such a large company with a great history, and what appeared to be good management, to fail? 

Other questions naturally follow, such as, are there more to come? What challenges do we still face with tight credit? How will Trainor’s failure affect the industry going forward? What lessons can we learn, for example, about pricing for market share rather than to cost? Will suppliers change their business practices to protect themselves better in the future?  

Katy Devlin’s in-depth report on the ripple effect Trainor’s closure will likely have on the glass industry addresses many of these questions, and there are still more to be asked.  

In these days of “expose-all reality TV” many Americans are riveted by the hyperbolic, often sleazy details such shows produce. I have several otherwise thoughtful, tasteful, discreet and informed friends who watch "Mob Wives." They tell me it’s like driving by an accident; you just have to look.  

Human curiosity is a powerful driver.  It’s what you do with it that counts.

The author is publisher of Glass Magazine and vice president of publications for the National Glass Association. Write her at nharris@glass.org.

15 comments
Monday, March 12, 2012

From the fabricator: Roaring back! Really?

As many of you know, I have become a very positive person on this blog. I am always trumpeting good news or positive reports, and I have tried to focus on the good instead of the bad. However, this week, I was thrown by something more “positive” than what I would bring. On Friday morning, I heard a news reporter actually say the following: “And signs that the economy are roaring back are more prominent than ever… .” Now that throws me. Economy improving? Yes. Economy stabilizing and showing signs of hope? Sure! (Though these pesky gas prices might beg to differ.) But “roaring” back? No. And no for the world we all play in. We have a lot of optimistic moves going on, but there’s still a ways to go. So, it really makes me wonder: Do you see the economy “roaring back,” and it’s just my old self creeping back? Or was this just a case of an overly hyped newsperson? Hey, I would LOVE for her to be dead-on by the way.

Elsewhere…

  • Another negative point against the “roaring” economy? The New York Times reported a massive spike in food prices is coming our way. In fact, I think it  is already happening. The last time I went to the supermarket, I was blown away by the new pricing.
  • OK, enough of the negative. Some positive and interesting news: the gang at Viracon are teasing via social media an announcement of some new products. It should be very interesting to see what comes out. Plus, I like the effective use of the medium. The announcement is due sometime this week.
  • Speaking of social media, I have written about the folks I like to follow on Twitter, but I should be asking all of you, who you like to follow. So, please e-mail or comment here on anyone I should be following along with. I’ll be sure to check out and share.
  • Fun offer that was sent to me by one of my clients via one of those online deal websites: with your windshield replacement, you get two $10 coupons for a local spaghetti restaurant. Love that incentive of food for glass. Considering the way the windshield world works, that could be the clincher for some people when choosing one group over the next.
  • A major Mahalo nui loa to a good friend of mine who recently sent me some very high quality chocolate from the great state of Hawaii. He was moved to do it because of my frequent mentions of M&M’s on here. All I can say is for an M&M fiend like me, moving up to the good stuff was like going from ground chuck to Kobe beef.
  • Congrats to Tom Lee and the folks at Lee & Cates Glass for being named NGA’s member of the month for March. I have had a few conversations with Tom, and he has always been an absolute gentleman to me. I’m happy he and his team are getting positive recognition.
  • Last this week, March Madness is upon us! All I can say is O-H-I-O! Very cool that the alma mater of yours truly and AGC’s Rodger Ruff is in the field and ready to go. I can't believe they drew Michigan though... wow, what a tough break. And I now live squarely in enemy territory! Anyway, as for the brackets, I think Kentucky got no breaks with their tough region, but they will still win it all. That team is just too good.

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.

4 comments
Monday, March 5, 2012

From the fabricator: Some positivity amidst the worry

Thankfully, this was a quieter week after the adventures of the past few. Honestly, I think we all needed to catch our breath. While, unfortunately, there are a few more dominoes to fall, hopefully some stability can start to seep back into our world. With that, the latest Architecture Billings Index was positive for the third consecutive month, and analysts are trumpeting it as more positive than past upturns. The problem is this uptick may be coming way too late for a lot of folks. So, while it's exciting that good things seem to be on the horizon, we still have bumpy roads to navigate.

Elsewhere…

  • And on those bumpy roads, it’s going to cost a lot more to drive. The ever-rising gas price debate is close to hitting fever pitch. Stories this week had the price of gas reaching anywhere from $6 to $8 a gallon! I have to think that if that happens, all bets are off  in our industry.
  • Does anyone wear a watch anymore? The reason I ask is I don’t, and I always use my phone for the time. But this week, I left my phone in the car by accident and had the amazing adventure of asking folks “What time is it?”, only to be shocked at how many didn’t know because they wore no watch or had to fumble for their phone to tell me.
  • Reminder on the awesome Glass Magazine Awards. The nominations are due April 16, so there's plenty of time, but picking the winners with the amazing talent out there will be wild. Especially in “Best Salesperson” and “Best Installer” categories; there are just so many deserving candidates…
  • My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone caught in the horrid weather of the past week. This winter has been bizarre for its lack of snow and cold, but the tradeoff of severe storms is not a welcome one. I hope everyone is staying safe, and Mother Nature cuts some breaks on the tornado outbreaks.  
  • Last this week, nice announcement on a partnership with Dorma and Brivo Systems on a new line of electronic access control systems. Pretty slick stuff, and with our world needing that bigger dose of security and protection, these guys really positioned themselves well.

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.

5 comments
Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Evolution and technical 'smarties'

When former Navy SEAL Eric Greitens talks about evolution, it's about character. It's about how he and 20 others out of a starting group of 220 recruits graduated from five weeks of  "next evolution" testing, as it's called by the commanders of the hardest combat training in the world.

At the American Architectural Manufacturers Association's 75th anniversary luncheon yesterday in Naples, Fla., Greitens described how this training principle forms the core of his post-combat work with "The Mission Continues," a non-profit organization he founded to help wounded and disabled veterans.  

Greitens autographed copies of his memoir, "The Heart and the Fist" for appreciative AAMA members.

"Every time you confront fear, every time you push yourself past your physical, mental and emotional limits, your character evolves," Greitens explained.  Disabled veterans face painful challenges as they chart a new course to become "purposeful citizen leaders."

Ask an AAMA committee task force member about evolution, and he or she might recall the hours upon grueling hours spent debating, writing and updating the standards that guide the window, door, skylight, curtain wall and storefront industry.

What AAMA volunteer members have achieved over these 75 years is not life-and-limb-perilous work (though the standards they write often address such issues), but there's no doubt their efforts are vital to the welfare of the built environment and its occupants.  

It's been a behind-the-scenes labor of "constant adaptation and progress," says AAMA President & CEO Rich Walker, in his upcoming column for Glass Magazine sister publication, Window & Door.  Evolution by another name: progress ranging from the North American Fenestration Standard to the 141-location-strong IG Certification Program; from FenestrationMasters with its 70 participating companies to the new Curtain Wall Fasteners publication.

As AAMA founding member Lyon Evans put it, this group of "technical 'smarties'" is rightly proud of their accomplishments.  Evans wrote this description of his fellow volunteers in a letter sent in recognition of the diamond anniversary just before he passed away in December at age 93. For AAMA members, his shared sentiments are emblematic of the character, evolution and legacy of their association.

Harris is publisher of Glass Magazine and vice president of publications for the National Glass Association. Write her at nharris@glass.org.

1 comments
Monday, February 27, 2012

From the fabricator: Trainor

There’s no doubt that the Trainor story was a huge event in our world. The emotions and fallout surrounding it continue to be intense. The news of its closure was more of a surprise because it ceased operations and didn't file for Chapter 11 reorganization and keep operating. It was the finality that was the knockout punch. As for the emotions and feedback from the industry, the biggest concern is the welfare of the employees. My heart goes out to those folks, all of whom had been pumping along and then BAM it's over. No last paycheck, no benefits. Just over. You’d have to be a very cold person to not feel terrible and hope that those guys and gals can find new employment elsewhere in our world. Surely there are some talented people now available. In any case, talking to some of the folks caught up in this is heartbreaking, and I hope only the best for them.

Now onto the business side of this. There were excellent, well thought-out comments left on my blog last week. Eventually, I see the Trainor situation becoming a case study because there are teachable moments here from a business standpoint. You have all of the factors in place: family dynamics, multiple locations, industry prominence, misjudged expansions into markets and products (the decorative and solar were great angles, just wrong time, place and focus) and much more. All of that plays out in the big picture of things.

So yet again, we start another era in our industry as we have several times in the last few years. And while I am very positive about our future and there are a lot of very good things happening in our world, there’s still the worry and malaise that hangs over us. Bottom line: I hope we are continuing to learn from these events, and gaining the knowledge that will make us stronger and smarter as people, companies and an industry as a whole.

Elsewhere…

  • Pretty big story popped late Thursday and into Friday that Serious Materials was closing the famous Chicago plant that they took over a few years ago. (The plant featured a sit in, made national news and eventually had a visit from Vice President Biden when it reopened.) That closing is now delayed, but we had some interesting moments leading up to it. The story here is a remarkable read about what happened. In any case, this one will bear watching because it will be fascinating to see who possibly steps up in this.
  • Congrats to the awesome Carol Land of the Glass Association of North America, as she celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend. Carol is one of my all-time favorites, and I am thrilled for her and her husband for hitting this awesome milestone!
  • Last week, the AABC Energy Management Guideline for building owners, design professionals, commissioning authorities and energy management professionals came out. (That was a mouthful eh?) Once again, it reflects negatively on how our industry is perceived. 256 pages in all, and it covers everything under the sun building-product-wise that can help the building save money and be efficient, with the exception of glass/windows. Nothing on improving the window to increase efficiency, but hey, if you want info on low-flush toilets, it's in here. H/T and thanks to Chris Ketchum of RavenBrick on this one, I would’ve never have seen it otherwise.
  • Last this week, a great marketing read via link that was tweeted out by Guardian’s Earnest Thompson. It’s about how cars get their names, and as anyone who has had to name products knows, it’s not easy or fun. This story reminds me about a lunch I had once with the legend of Ford Glass and Visteon Mr. Lowell Rager, when the “Versalux” line of products were announced. At that lunch, I heard about the demise of the greatest glass name ever, “Jade Ice,” and the launch of the line of names that sounded like vacuum cleaners or dishwashers. No matter how it may sound, some things just fit better than others, and this article Earnest sent shows it’s an issue all over.

Read on for links and video 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.

4 comments
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

From the fabricator: Smart news

We had an interesting/exciting/hopeful move in Washington, D.C., this past week with the introduction of the "Smart Energy Act" by a bi-partisan group of representatives. The act contains many provisions that can bring positive results to our industry, with the focus on retrofits being the most promising. Support for that business segment, coupled with the fact our world is littered with bad buildings that waste energy faster than I can finish a bowl of M&M's, is a point of emphasis that somehow always gets lost in the wash. While so much focus is on making sure new buildings are up to code, we as a society give old buildings a pass. This effort will hopefully help change that. The only frightening part is that the DOE is involved, and as many of you know, I am not a fan. So, as long as the DOE and the typical Washington gridlock doesn't damage the process, this bill has hope.

And yes, I know I am nicer on the blog these days. So it is shocking I just made a negative comment! Ironically, I get more e-mail complaining that I am TOO nice on the blog than anything else. In any case, as nice as I have been, the DOE still frustrates me to no end.

Elsewhere...

  • Loved the announcement from Glass Magazine on its new awards. I am absolutely thrilled that there will be some personal recognition happening. We have so much talent in this industry that doesn't get the pub it deserves, and doing it in this format is really spectacular. Heck, my mind is racing nomination-wise right now! Just a brilliant idea by Jenni Chase and team. The Crystal Achievement Awards were always the gold standard in the industry, and now they have taken the entire process another great step forward.
  • Last week, I noted the launch of the excellent new website at CommercialWindows.Org, and Kerry Haglund added a comment on the main site of my blog that I felt needed to be shared with the e-glass weekly audience:

    Max, Thanks for the kind words. We feel the work we do is important and makes a difference to the industry. We have some more exciting stuff coming in the future with an upgraded residential site/tool and other projects to be announced in the near future. ~Kerry

    The fact that there's MORE to come here is awesome. Simply wow. I seriously think if Kerry and the folks she works with at the Center for Sustainable Building Research ran the DOE, we'd be soooo much further along.

A couple of items from the pop culture world this week...

  • Michael Jordan celebrated his 49th birthday, and without question, is the best basketball player to walk the earth. Unreal. I know Magic, Bird the Doctor and others were great, but no one holds a candle to Air Jordan.
  • The Grammy Awards were fun to watch and GLASS made an appearance as Katy Perry broke a piece of tempered as part of her set. I love when glass gets involved in anything mainstream. As for the rest of the show, loved Bruce off the top, and I just wish I could dance and move like Bruno Mars. Oh, and that Adele is a star!
  • Something else I am always tracking and complaining about are gas prices, and they are on the rise again: over $4 per gallon in California now and probably poised to go higher. That is flat out depressing.
  • Last this week, a great friend of mine sent me a story on the government reading people's tweets and Facebook pages and the "outrage" of that effort. Well, I for one could care less. Those are public forums, and if you've got something to hide, Twitter and Facebook are not the place for you. Face it, in the electronic world, everything is somehow fair game. And it while it might not be right in every case, it is what it is. 

Read on for links and video 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.

5 comments
Friday, February 17, 2012

Exciting times

It is a fascinating time to be involved in the fenestration industry. Technological advancements over the past two decades have elevated fenestration energy performance to unprecedented levels. And exciting technologies – from electrochromic windows with dynamic glazing to fenestration that incorporates solar cells to innovative glass displays – have moved from the realm of science fiction to reality. 

The growth of the green building movement is raising awareness of energy efficient fenestration, as are new or greater performance requirements in model energy codes. One example is the 2012 IECC’s fenestration area limits based on daylighting controls in commercial buildings under the prescriptive path, as discussed in the “2012 International Code Requirements for Windows and Doors” article in Glass Magazine.

It's also a time for growth at NFRC, and our board of directors recently approved new goals that will lead the group into the future. Among them is the aim to develop new energy related rating procedures and programs. One new area we are exploring, for example, is daylighting. NFRC formed the Bright Day Illuminance and Daylighting Potential Rating Procedure Task Groups to study the possibility of providing daylighting ratings that could one day offer a measurement of fenestration’s role in a building’s energy load.

Developing new and credible ratings programs, along with pursuing our other new goals, will not be possible without the continued help of NFRC’s dedicated volunteer members. We strive to bring together a variety of stakeholders who work together to develop and refine our procedures and programs through a consensus process. For more information on the group, its new membership dues structure, and how you can get involved, visit www.nfrc.org.

The author is CEO of the National Fenestration Rating Council. He has been involved in developing product and performance standards for the window and glass industry for more than 25 years. Write him at jbenney@nfrc.org.

3 comments
Monday, February 13, 2012

Cost control

"Thank goodness for health insurance" was the first thought that crossed my mind when I saw the total bill for my daughter's recent minor surgery. My second thought: "Wow, that's still a big deductible."

 Healthcare costs are on the rise, both for employers and their employees. Since 2001, average premiums for family coverage have increased 113 percent, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research & Educational Trust. In 2011, premiums for single coverage were 8 percent higher than in 2010 and premiums for family coverage were up 9 percent, the group reports in its "2011 Employer Health Benefits Survey."

Don't get me wrong. I am very grateful to have a benefits plan that covers my family and me. Although it isn't free (I still pay a certain percentage of the family coverage premium), it does mean that bills like the one I recently received aren't even close to what they could be.

Going forward, however, it's safe to assume healthcare premiums will once again increase, and in a tough economy, that presents challenges to employers and employees alike as they try to keep costs down.

In an upcoming issue of Glass Magazine, we will take a look at trends in employer-sponsored health benefits. We will also examine trends within our industry, in an effort to provide subscribers with information that might help as they form employee policy. To that end, we are conducting a brief anonymous survey. The more participation, the better the results, so please consider filling out the survey here. Thank you!

Chase is editorial director of Glass Magazine. Write her at jchase@glass.org.

1 comments
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