Finally GlassBuild Time!

Note- Before I get into my post... prayers up for everyone affected by Hurricane Helene. It cut a track through a lot of areas where I know many, including a good few prominent folks in our world. I am hoping for the best for them and their families and we need to support the best we can as things progress now.

If you ever followed pro wrestling, “The Rock” (a wrestler before he became a movie star) would come into the ring and exclaim… “FINALLY… The Rock has come back to… (insert city)” and that is what is on my mind right now. FINALLY. FINALLY… GlassBuild is back. FINALLY… we are in Dallas and all of us getting together to learn and network. 

The show this week will be special. The floor is massive. 535 exhibitors from all over the world. Education and resources all over the place. It’s going to be a hectic and incredible three days. For me, it is always the chance to see people and catch up. Get that flavor for how their lives and businesses are going. Hear from them on the new products or approaches to diversifying their business. Seeing folks who may be attending their first ever show and those who have been going for 20+ years. Plain and simple, FINALLY… GLASSBULD!

Elsewhere…

Recent pods

ICYMI, two new podcasts recently and they’ve become among my most taken-in ever. Will be interesting to see at the end of the year where these rank. In case you missed them during this harried time of year, here’s reminders… and all of these folks/companies are ON THE FLOOR at GlassBuild.

From 9/8- three segments from Sales, to Ops, to Safety/Handling with Diana San Diego (SAFTI First), Chris Cordle (USBP/Quikserv) and Merv Campbell (Omni Cubed).

Listen here or search for From the Fabricator on Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen to pods, or watch on YouTube.

And from this past week- four segments from Katy Devlin (NGA), Alan Kinder (Guardian Glass), Art Huard/Shawn McHale (NVOY Fire Rated) and Kyle Lindersmith (Burkle)

Listen here or search for From the Fabricator on Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen to pods, or watch on YouTube. 

Industry retirements at GBA

Also, this GlassBuild will have some tributes, one being to Mike Synon and Terry Hessom of Salem Fabrication Technologies / HHH.  These two are retiring at the end of the year and Salem will be honoring them during the show. Both guys have made an incredible impact on our industry and will be missed.

I have known both for a while, but I have to take a moment to talk Terry Hessom. He and I worked together way back in the Perilstein Distributing Corp/PDC Glass and Metal Services days. Terry was running the truck loaders and I was inside sales. Terry was the first person I would see each morning when I came in and he had the brutal job of telling me what didn’t make the truck (for whatever reason) and that would set the tone for the day. Terry then as now, always had an even keel. Just focused on doing the job. Me? Back then I was a bit of a panicked nut job, so when Terry would tell me that an IG for Rex Glass didn’t make the truck, I was despondent. And Terry had to deal with that every day until he was promoted up and way beyond that position. No wonder Terry quickly moved up the ladder, escaping those morning visits with me had to be a priority! Anyway, I always appreciated Terry for how he did and continued to do things. Just a great, great guy.

And I don’t want to give Mike the short shrift, since day one, long before he was at HHH, was a friend and someone who always greeted me with a smile and some sort of interesting news. Mike’s impact and the way he changed the way certain things were done in his space is his positive legacy, one that won’t be forgotten. And he is getting a statue in front of HQ in NC, so there is that. (That’s my story and I am sticking to it!) These two deserve a happy retirement though I have to think both will be bored pretty quick… LOL. 

Also a note for the coming year, Salem CEO Mike Willard will also be stepping down, more on that obviously as the time comes as that is massive news too. Congrats and only the best to Terry and Mike and the entire Salem org.

Latest ABI

The latest Architectural Billings Index was released, and it was awful. Not much more I can say that I haven’t covered before. It’s a slog and it continues. This month the analysis included some pessimism with regards to when things will turn around, which makes sense given how long this run has lasted and the fact that some areas/business segments have been really stuck in the mud. I do think as noted here last week, that between the rate cut now, the one that should come post-US election and the election itself, something should get moving forward. It will be interesting to see what the great Connor Lokar of ITR says during his annual forecast at GlassBuild.

Labor shortage

Good read on the impending labor shortage. (Not that we’re not in one now right?!?!) Anyway, take a look. It does make you realize things like Workforce Development approaches from players like the NGA and the IUPAT Glaziers make a ton of sense. Plus, the need for more automation and better material handling. All of these are crucial in 1. Keeping who you have, going and healthy, 2. Attracting new folks. It’s not an easy road but the road does exist for us. So as a reminder if you’re not in one of these camps, good time to get in one. (GlassBuild a great start for details on all!!)

Upcoming webinar

For post-GlassBuild on October 4th, a really good webinar is on tap—“Architect Engagement in Challenging Markets." This one will be led by Megan Kacvinsky, CEO, Point To Point, and her panel is strong, featuring Jeff Haber from W&W (any chance to hear Jeff is valuable) Carolina Albano, (StoVentec) and Kevin Miller (Ohio Gratings.) This group will share among other topics, crucial insights to navigating the current market and addressing emerging needs in a cost-conscious environment. Plus, they’ll hit on winning strategies for architect engagement! Kudos to my pal, the brilliant Vardhan Mehta of Acelab for pulling this powerhouse segment together. Click here to register!

Safe travels

Last this week… safe travels everyone! I’ll be back next week with what is usually my longest post of the year- the annual GlassBuild recap of what and who I saw while at the show. Can’t wait!