The latest From the Fabricator podcast is live with two inspiring guests. I kick it off with James Hatch of Kovach. He and I may have chatted a bit over the years, but this was my first extended time with him, and I was extremely impressed. What he’s done and the excitement around what Kovach does is something to behold. Great stuff. Then to a person and company that I think will be big in our industry, and not for glass or glazing, but for improving the performance of our machinery.
I say it all the time. Texas never disappoints. And that was surely true this past week at Glass TEXpo in San Antonio. The wonderful folks at the Texas Glass Association took care of me once again, and I am truly grateful.
In case you missed it, the most recent From the Fabricator podcast dropped right before I left. I had enlightening conversations with two of the best folks around—Sneh Kumar of Kawneer and Kyle Sword of Pilkington. Check it out at the links below. The next pod (coming soon) will feature a leader in the glazing space and a new company coming to market with a must-have product.
With commercial fenestration and framing systems, performance counts and appearance matters. Most architects design with color in mind, and many strive to differentiate projects with specialty finishes. You can help your customers find a unique look without compromising performance or sustainability.
Even as codes and standards have become more stringent over the years, the glazing industry has kept pace—sometimes even staying ahead of the curve. Glazing manufacturers, fenestration companies, energy consultants and code experts have worked together to push the materials, technology and building science forward, not just to meet new codes but to improve performance, aesthetics and functionality.
The work environment, mental health stigma, substance abuse, addiction, and, ultimately, high suicide rates demand the attention of the construction industry— including glaziers, installers, technicians, helpers and apprentices. This sequence shows the pathway some may follow when their well-being goes unnoticed by coworkers and management. Recognizing signs of distress early on can save lives.
News finally broke this week about the new leadership coming to the National Glass Association. Lakisha Ann Woods has been named as the replacement for the retiring Nicole Harris, marking an exciting step for the organization and the industry. Lakisha’s credentials are very strong, and her past positions will bring some different perspectives to our space. I am also thrilled that she has building product knowledge and experience.
This week, the industry focus will be in Southern California with a massive California Glass Association (CGA) meeting at the new campus of FHC. A ton is on the docket for this meeting, with some of my favorite presenters taking center stage. NGA Chair Rick Locke is kicking things off, and then three speakers I am a huge fan of take center stage. Nathan Seaman, Nick St. Denis, and Kevin Carrasco will cover info from their specialties. Kevin’s piece on HR and Immigration is especially pertinent these days.
Division 10, known as “specialties” by building professionals, bridges the gap between finishes and furnishings, addressing smaller, but critical, building components.