Triple Threat Pod
Three amazing guests this week
A jam-packed new episode of the “From the Fabricator” podcast is now ready for you. It’s a rare “3 sets of guests” edition, and each one brings something cool to the table.
I start out with Scott Kennett of AMS/NACC/AGMT & Nicolas Esquivel of CDC, and we talk about certification/licensing and the role it’s playing now and, more importantly, in the future. Then Pat O’Connor joins, and we talk about the upcoming Glass Symposium, which is a very cool and unique event. Lastly, I end with Abbie Legara of Aluminum & Glazing Lines. Just a very impressive person and operator, and it was great to dive into her business, AI, and being a woman-led company.
Really neat insights. So please take a watch or listen! I do appreciate it a ton, and each week I am humbled more and more by the numbers!
Watch on Youtube, or listen here.
Elsewhere…
Aluminum inflation
The volatility of aluminum prices continues, and our industry got a long mention in a recent Wall Street Journal story. The authors talked to the folks at Awake Window in Arizona, and it was a good piece on the challenges they and our industry face.
Also, when I had Troy Johnson of Apogee Architectural Metals on my podcast, he had an excellent explanation on the challenges that this market faces. If you missed it, you can watch here, or listen here, or just look up “From the Fabricator” in your podcast app and scroll down to December of 2025 for Troy.
Latest Dodge Momentum Index
While we’re in this mode of market craziness, the latest Dodge Momentum Index was released. Basically, the data center boom is carrying the day, bringing the index up 2%. The analysis noted that the pipeline is active, and most of us know the pipeline is active, but moving the jobs to the actual “start” has been the problem. Meanwhile, I know I’ve hit this before here and in my various presentations- do not assume the data center package you see has no glass on it. There are incredible data centers out there with stunning glass curtain walls, etc.
Award for Chesapeake Glazing
I’m a fan of Chesapeake Glazing. Great company, and recently they picked up a very prestigious award. They were recognized as 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟓𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 to receive the ABC National 2025 National Safety Excellence Award. Huge. Think about how many contractors are out there… Super. Safety matters, and these walk the walk there. Plus, I love that they are NACC Certified- but even more so, how they did it and what they learned. Great case study on that journey. Congrats to the team at Chesapeake!
CSI
I teased a few weeks ago that things are going upside down over at CSI, and the adventure continues. CSI/CIN wants your $$ for using something that's been around forever. Or, as one person compared, it’s like being charged to use the Dewey Decimal System. What am I saying? CSI now has a for-profit side (CIN) that is planning on charging for using the typical specification classes- (Division 8- or 8800, etc.) in your brochures, bids, etc. And those charges are not cheap, though supposedly manufacturers who DON’T “consult” won’t be charged... Easier way to understand this and the rancor involved? Read post to learn more. Interesting and surely more on this to come.
Texas Glass Conference
Last this week… Have you registered for the Texas Glass Conference yet? I know there’s a segment of people who feel like they don’t need to attend, that they have everything under control. And I am sure they do for the most part. But I am reminded of an old commercial (and I am old- guessing many of you won’t know this one) from a brokerage firm named E F Hutton. The line was pretty big back in the day, “When EF Huton Talks People Listen,” and so when you have this event, and you have the great Urmilla Sowell talking about the latest codes… ones that can truly affect your business… it's not a good business call to miss it. When you have, as I just found out, Jeff Haber of W&W on a panel- yeah, time to register because Jeff (and I am confident the rest of the panel) will bring it to you straight and real. So, get that and more- with the best networking in Texas. Check out the full schedule and sign up.
