Hard to believe it is more than a quarter into 2019; time flies when you’re having fun. What is more fun than to think about where we can go in the next decade, and what we have to look forward to?
Solar power
I was thinking about this while traveling across the country recently. I couldn’t help but notice how much land is occupied with solar farms, so I started counting them. A few short years ago I may have seen two to three large facilities heading out of Charlotte; this trip I counted eight large plants before reaching the Appalachian Mountains and I loved every second of it.
Glass industry media
I’m also looking forward to the next episode of the Edify Studios Podcast, a new glass industry related podcast for the passionate glass enthusiast. If you’re like me and “The Brads,” as the hosts call themselves, you stop to inspect the glass products you’re familiar with in the world and, at times, criticize these products because they may be a reflection of an industry you, and I, are proud to be a part of. Of course, we know 99 percent of the population doesn’t even register what we see, yet we simply can’t help ourselves. We all share a fascination with glass and a passion for our industry which, clearly comes through in the first episode of the podcast. Who would have thought I’d be looking forward to downloading a glass podcast?
GlassBuild America 2019
This morning I read Max Perilstein’s blog, “From the Fabricator,” always insightful, and as usual it got me thinking. Max is right; we’re expecting this year’s GlassBuild to surpass any I’ve attended (2019 will be the 12th year for me and that is two years less than Max has been writing his blog!). As an equipment supplier we’ve been focusing on GlassBuild for at least 6 weeks, and after 2017’s Atlanta show (the hurricane we won’t name) we expect to make it count. As always, GlassBuild is packed with top vendors from across our industry. Plus, enough access to networking and educational forums to make you feel like you’re cramming for the bar exam. If you love the glass industry there is nowhere else to be that entire week. This year, GlassBuild is held in Atlanta, Sept. 17 – 19.
Glass tech
Personally, I am looking forward to seeing advances in technological glass products. I am a firm believer that future glass products will be integrated with electronics, and that glass will be thinner and stronger. Recharge your battery with Corning Incorporated’s YouTube channel if it’s running low.
It is an exciting time to be a part of these changes. Together the possibilities are limitless and like a chain, our industry is no stronger than the weakest link. Time to show what we’re capable of; where we are today is only the beginning. I look forward to seeing you around and being a part of a glass revolution. Onwards and upwards!
Pete de Gorter is vice president of sales and marketing at DeGorter Inc. Contact him at pete@degorter.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.
