For those of you who may be new to this blog, since 2013 I have awarded a yearly MVP award at the end of the year. We’re now a month away from that happening, and once again a ton of folks to choose from. I try not to select anyone who has been listed before, either as a runner-up or the actual MVP, so that makes it tougher than normal but also allows me to spread the recognition around. The process for who hits that list for 2024 is now underway, and I look forward to seeing who ends up on top!
It’s that time of the year when many of us start seeing reports and lists of trends in the construction industry. As has been the case in previous years, it seems sustainable design remains a top concern—and for good reason. While sustainability is often at top of mind, this year, it seems like the way project teams are accomplishing environmental benchmarks has entered the mainstream.
It was a good and interesting week in Europe at glasstec. The biggest question going into the show was how people feel about the markets— worldwide. Well, actually, that was the second biggest question…the biggest was what did I think of Condor Airlines? And for that I give it a hearty thumbs up. For a budget airline, their business class seats worked out well. Nice and wide, lay flat optional which allowed me to sleep— a massive plus. Great TV, though limited show and movie offerings. And the food was actually really good. Loading in NY was smooth, though it was super chaotic in Germany.
In this time of uncertainty, the construction industry closely monitors the monthly economic indicators to gauge the future of nonresidential construction. Conditions remain somewhat mixed as elevated interest rates cause developers and owners to proceed cautiously. As we navigate through this year, let’s delve into the current state of the commercial window and curtain wall systems industry, exploring trends and challenges.
Next show up! Time for the adventure that is glasstec in Dusseldorf, Germany. It kicks off Tuesday and runs through Friday with show hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those are some serious show hours folks. If you have never been or never heard of this event, it is held every other year and takes up 9 trade show halls. It is not only flat glass and various components (hardware, software etc.) but also other materials related to glass making and other end products made of glass like bottles.
Fresh off the show, I wanted a podcast that hit on the next show (glasstec) and a highlight from GlassBuild. First up… Jason Isackson from Sentinel Facades joined me. Jason and Sentinel burst onto the scene at GlassBuild and made an impact with custom hockey jerseys and a coffee bar. Their product line also caught some attention because of the system approach, and Jason broke that whole thing down. Fun to get to know him a bit. Then, I go to a pair that I have known for a long time and have immense respect for.
One of the major themes at this year's glasstec, held Oct. 22-25, is circularity. Marc Everling speaks to prominent glass industry leaders about the realities of reusing glass construction materials and creating material transparency.
The summer of 2024 was the fourth-hottest summer on record for the contiguous United States, with an average temperature of 73.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 2.5 degrees above normal. The states of Arizona, California, Florida, Maine, and New Hampshire experienced the warmest summer in their recorded histories this year. Globally, it was the hottest summer since global records started 1880, and the months of June, July, and August 2024 were about 0.2°F (0.1°C) hotter than any other time in NASA's recorded history.