Feel the Rhythm, Feel the Rhyme

Each new year reminds me that opportunity and challenge often appear simultaneously. I’ve written about this before and both were on full display at Winter Olympics. In the glazing world, we see our fair share of challenge and opportunity. 

Glazing reports and construction data seem to indicate jagged movement: some project sectors see growth, others remain flat and some are experiencing a dip in starts. Labor shortages across the construction and manufacturing industries complicate matters as do fluctuating global supply chains. 

2026 is the 50th anniversary of Technical Glass Products. I’m also turning 50 this year. I’ve been with TGP for nearly half of those years. In that time, we’ve had to respond to multiple economic downturns and upticks, changes in building codes and much more.  So as we work into the new year, I want to look back to move forward.  

In times of uncertainty, quality drives everything 

It’s no secret that quality performance rises through challenges. The Olympics celebrate this fact, and it’s particularly true to the glazing industry.  

Updates to the building codes have increased fire and life safety compliance stringency; the National Glass Association has developed code proposals to promote daylighting in schools; bird-friendly glass continues to draw attention; The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools has outlined how fire doors, and their glazing components, can support safer school design in a recent white paper. 

Each of these developments is a challenge, a wrinkle of uncertainty in the market. But manufacturers, contractors and allied trades that continue deliver high-quality products and services can straighten these wrinkles and improve the building industry. 

Despite Artificial Intelligence, people remain a priority 

Last year, AI was everywhere. Some heralded the advancements of generative AI as a new dawn for human achievement; others were skeptical. The influence of AI extended to the construction market, for a large chunk of last year, data center construction was leading construction starts, and the manufacturing industry with its promises of efficient automation. 

Although we are evaluating AI tools to improve processes, the glazing industry is centered on people. For project owners, the products and systems we engineer keep people safe from danger and continually push the envelope of functional beauty—often our systems do both simultaneously.

At TGP, people are the heart of our design and manufacturing processes. Like a bobsled or hockey team, our departments work together to solve challenges for both architects and glaziers. From our engineering team to our production management team and production room floor, we invest in the people that customize and fabricate our systems through initiatives like MFG Day, training programs, tuition reimbursement and individualized growth plans. 

People designing and creating life-saving systems for people has delivered 50 years of quality innovation. And I’ll bet it will deliver at least 50 more. 

Carrying the torch to future projects 

By the time this blog is up, the winter games in Italy will likely have concluded. I was recently reminded that TGP has a Winter Olympics connection. The 2002 games in Salt Lake City used FireLite in the Olympic Cauldron. 

While not the most transferable application, it is unique and underscores one of the most exciting aspects of the glazing industry: our work helps bring incredible designs to life.  

Maybe that’s the challenge we’re facing in 2026: how can we leverage AI and what we have already to help revolutionize the building industry? How can glass be a catalyst for better building and better manufacturing?  

I, for one, am excited to find out!