David Vermeulen

David Vermeulen is the North America Sales Director at Technical Glass Products (TGP), a division of Allegion that supplies fire-rated glass and framing systems, and other specialty architectural glazing. Contact him at 800/426-0279. Opinions expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the position of the National Glass Association or Glass Magazine.

What’s Next in Sustainable Design?

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…

Glazing 101

More Advice from The Terminator

In my last Fired Up blog, I focused on the first rule in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Seven Tools for Life.” But the Governator packs so much good advice in these rules, it is almost impossible to stop with just one.

"Get to the Chopper," or Fatherly Wisdom from the Terminator

With one of my sons finishing up his freshman year of college and another graduating from high school, the father in me always looks to provide wisdom and guidance. Technical Glass Products (TGP) also has a new sales team member starting who is eager and ready to learn. “Have a clear vision” can…

Facilitating Change for the Better

Building codes change, criteria for energy efficiency changes, methods of production and distribution change. Accepting and adapting to larger changes can happen more easily when we routinely practice small changes or break larger changes into small steps.

Getting Phanatic

Each day, we’re given choices in the glass industry, choices that can cost us, our companies or our customers money. Sometimes, it might be tempting to go the easier route, the way that is less expensive in the short term. But it’s important to weigh the consequences of these decisions.

Refurbishing Ash

The wildfires that destroyed large parts of Lahaina are a terrible tragedy. The culture's signature banyan tree offers an allegory for resilience and teamwork in times of crisis.

Beyond the B.S. Report: What Bill Simmons Can Teach the Building Industries

Inspired by a recent podcast about a longtime media producer, I've been thinking about the importance of both talent and hard work in our industry, as well as the amount of team work and great communication required to be a success.

Hey Alexa, How Will AI Change the Glazing Industry?

Many are questioning the usefulness and accuracy of new artificial intelligence tech, such as ChatGPT. While I don't see AI replacing glazing experts, this machine-learning technology may offer glass industry companies efficiencies and greater accuracy in some processes.

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

The building industry is constantly in flux, responding to new challenges, advances in technology and striving for more sustainable practices. It’s important for every person involved to stay agile, to work towards improvement. This journey can involve developing new products that answer design…

Knocking Your Socks Off

I recently learned about the founders' of Bombas, and their journey provides a lot of potential lessons for the glass industry. Founding their company required drawing on industry experience, innovation and hard work, as well as a little luck.

The Ultimate Team Sport

Construction and manufacturing, like team sports, benefit when employees work as a team. Working together towards a goal requires us to understand both our individual and collective perceptions and assumptions.

TIME TO SET SAIL

We often only see the effects of an issue—the real problem is what we do in reaction. We can point fingers at supply chain disruptions and other global challenges, but this doesn’t get us closer to a solution. This moment is critical in both business and personal settings.

Kitchen Confidential and Industry Sub-cultures

I've been reading about the life of Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef. It didn’t take me very long to start drawing comparisons from the restaurant world to other industries—such as the glass and fenestration industries.

Relearning Best Practices in a Changed Landscape

According to NPR reporting, one million fewer students are in college than before the pandemic began. How has the education landscape shifted, and how will this trend impact students’ futures? Either way, how are we thinking, evaluating and taking action to support the current and future work needs…

That’s a Wrap (Almost)

Back in February, I wrote a blog post about the value of taking time for strategic check-ins to ensure a leaner, faster and more reliable mindset as we progress through the year. As we come into the last few months of 2021, now is perhaps one of the most important times to take that momentary…

In Appreciation of the Team

This last year was a great reminder that no company is a one-man show, and no team can operate alone. We all continue to persevere, adapt and problem solve… and then do it all over again.

Sharpen Your Skillset

Are we reaching customers in the most effective way within the new hybrid workforce? Are we adjusting our supply chain to address challenging shipping logistics? How are we adjusting to inflation and cost increases?

What’s Driving Specification 2.0?

A while back I wrote a post about the building industry’s million-dollar question: “How do you get spec’d by an architect?” But it’s not the only question driving specs, and it’s not the only one worth evaluating. Two equally important questions to add to the specification conversation are: What do…

Driving for Improvements

The year is over, there’s a twinge of momentary relief, and then it’s time to start back up again, only this time with a new end goal in mind. I liken this to a car race. Each quarter is a lap. You’ve got to keep the car tuned up, push to go faster and harder, and know when to make…

A New Norm

It has been a year of change—of persevering, adopting new technologies and adjusting processes midstream. I think we can all agree that December looks a lot different than we thought it would back in January.

Groundhog Day – Are you inexplicably living the same day over and over again?

When faced with the same challenges repeatedly, instead of throwing in the towel, we have the unique opportunity to look at what is and isn’t working with a critical and measured eye. This may mean it’s time to expand on what’s driving sales, effectively adding to your customer base or expediting…

Fired Up: The Million Dollar Question

How do you get spec’d by an architect? It’s the building industry’s million dollar question. Developing a solid foundation of mutual respect with an architect is key to gaining repeated access to the project vision and goals. As we head into the second half of the year, here are a few thoughts…

Safety and Security: An Important Work In Progress

I’m sure we can all agree that protecting those around us has likely never been more top of mind than it has been the last few months. At TGP, a subset of this focus has been on students. With early school closures, educational facility retrofits and renovations have been bumped up, bringing school…

What’s Your Bottleneck to Success?

It might seem obvious, but taking some time to identify your bottleneck(s), either in your personal work or in your company, is key. Are lead times bogged down by manufacturing? If product output is efficient, is research and development stalled?

Are You Top Gun When It Comes to Innovation?

I was recently turned onto a podcast called The Rewatchables, which features a round table discussion of movies the hosts can’t seem to stop watching. This show is insightful without being boring, and the cast is hilarious. Recently I listened to an episode where they broke down the 80s…

Fired Up: A Little Reminder About How Awesome Glass Is

If you haven’t been to Seattle in the summer, you should. It’ll kick your visions of hippies drinking coffee in the rain to the curb. Eighty-degree weather, sun until well past 8 p.m., mountains, trees, water, ferries – the list goes on. It’s so stunning, you might not even notice our grunge scene…

Fired Up: Sorting Through the Green Building Maze

Anyone want to take a guess at how many green product certifications there are in the world, like Cradle to Cradle or Environmental Product Declarations? I did a little digging to find out the answer after reading Glass Magazine’s March article on “The Green Building Maze.” As it turns out, there…

Fired Up: Are you customer-centric?

I’m writing this blog post in the middle of a snowstorm that Seattle news reporters have dubbed “Snowmageddon.” (It’s extreme, I know. I’m from Michigan.) We normally get one to two inches of snow per year in the lowlands. Snow in the rainy Pacific Northwest is a complete and total disruptor. So…

Fired Up: Working with design teams in the face of labor challenges

Hi, David Vermeulen here with TGP. I’ll be taking over the Fired Up blog for Jeff Razwick, and am looking forward to discussing our industry with you in the coming months. Thanks for lending me valuable minutes out of your day. There’s been a lot of talk about how the manufacturing and labor…