New Pod, Tough Econ News & Best Holiday of the Year

The latest From the Fabricator podcast is up with insight and info from all parts of our world. Kicking it off is long time manufacturers reps, Dan and Nico Pompeo of Architectural Glazing Solutions.

Dan brought the term “sweep aggressively” into the lexicon. Plus, Dan and Nico (and of course Stacey, who had to miss the pod unfortunately) have so much rolling and provided some cool insight into products and the future.  

Next up is Ron Parker, who came back on the pod after his debut two years ago. Then, Ron was a leading consultant in our space. Now, he’s settled in as CEO of Ballistic Glass and Armor Solutions. He’s a good friend, so having a chance to catch up with him was wonderful. Ron told an amazing story about glass being stronger than stone and some great insight on the growing protective space, including a pretty cool new product. So another good one for you to add to the playlist! Thank you for checking it out and supporting!

Watch on YouTube or listen here, as well as on Apple, Spotify, Google etc.

Elsewhere...

2024 economic outlook

I mentioned last week that the Connor Lokar presentation at GlassBuild had people buzzing and for some, on edge. The forecast, like a few lately, are pointing towards tougher times in 2024. It’s been a perfect storm of issues that are leading us into a rough go, led by the interest rate increases.

So the theme continues, be smart with the spends, be active in diversifying what you offer and of course communicate up and down the chain. More on what Connor covered can be found HERE. For more insight and potential stomach churning, my pal Scott Goodman of CRL shared THIS READ from the freight side of things.

Expansion news

Quick one… Congrats to the team at Aldora Glass on the grand opening and ribbon cutting at their new spot in Newport News. Good positive news in our space for sure and kudos to all involved!

TV recs

TV… So suddenly I went from having tons of shows to watch while on the treadmill to like none. So any recommendations, please hit me up or comment. The key is I like shows that keep me glued while running on the treadmill, so I lean towards more action and intensity vs. others. I do see the new season of Jack Reacher is coming in December (which I am so pumped for) and again kudos to PR Superstar Jen Friess of Guardian Glass for the initial heads up on it last year. Great show. So I am up for recommendations! 

Feeling thankful this Thanksgiving

Last this week… No blog next week with Thanksgiving in the US happening. If something big happens I’ll have it on LinkedIn and social media (and I’m getting a feeling something big may actually happen) and be back here the week of 11/26.  

Also, while I’m off the blog the next ABI will be out and the feel is its going to be awful again. Will it be as bad as this past month? We’ll see… my bet it’ll be worse. Hope I’m wrong!  

As for this holiday, no matter how challenging our world is (and the glass world and especially the real outside world) now we all still have a ton to be thankful for. Please take a few moments to reflect on that aspect and appreciate what we’ve got! Have a wonderful holiday! (Note- US Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year so I am pumped.)