Wanted: Gen Xers, Millenials, Echo-Boomers…

…in other words, anyone under the age of 40 who has made a significant contribution to the commercial, retail or auto glass industries. We do exist.

Despite some assertions that Gen Xers are slackers who view their careers as an “irritant”—at least according to this Missouri Department of Health worksheet—Gen Xers have made many valuable contributions to society. Think YouTube, Google and Amazon, says author Jeff Gordinier in his book, "X Saves the World: How Generation X Got the Shaft But Can Still Keep Everything From Sucking."

The same is true of the glass industry. Previous 30 Under 40 award winners have made strides in customer service, product technology and design, and codes and standards development. And as the 2009 award winners will illustrate, the younger generation still has more to contribute.

However, we do owe much to preceding generations, and it is with that in mind that the editors of Glass Magazine are looking at other award programs to recognize those who don’t fit into the "under 40" category. So, all you Baby Boomers out there, please send your ideas my way at jchase@glass.org.

And to all Glass Magazine readers, please click here to nominate your co-workers and industry associates for Glass Magazine’s 30 Under 40 awards. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 7.

—By Jenni Chase, senior editor, retail and auto glass, Glass Magazine

We won!

There won’t be any descriptions of our sightseeing exploits today. The entire National Glass Association delegation is still jumping up and down over the success of our American Master Installer Auto Glass Champion Jeff Olive. As reported yesterday, Jeff held a slim lead in the overall standings. We learned this morning the lead was seven points. With Jeff’s specialties of windshield repair and windshield replacement still to come, we were hopeful but not overconfident. All you had to do was look into Jeff’s eyes to see the determination. He was so close, but the Hungarian, Japanese and Danish champions still stood in the way.

Windshield repair went very well for Jeff and he increased his lead by another point. Going into the last event of windshield replacement, it was pretty obvious that the only competitor with a chance to catch Jeff was the young man from Hungary. But it was not to be. Jeff kept the pressure on. At this time, I’m not sure what the final margin of victory was because our entire delegation started yelling and screaming as soon as Jeff’s first name was announced. We didn’t even wait to hear the last name before we drowned out the announcer. Hungary finished second. Denmark and Japan tied for third.

I swear it was like watching Michael Phelps win eight gold medals all wrapped into one. I had a lump in my throat that nearly choked me as the American flags started waving. Without question, this was the most emotional moment in my 25 years of affiliation with our American glass industry. What a proud day for the United States, the National Glass Association, Glasspro, and the entire Olive family. Jeff and Maehing are a delightful, dynamic couple. We enjoyed every moment we spent with them.

As you might expect, Jeff was gracious in victory. He thanked the NGA, his employer Paul Heinauer and his installation partner Randy Layton. Randy was an absolute eagle eye in noticing the small problems that make all the difference in a competition such as this. Details count – big time!

NGA Chairman of the Board Steve Mort did a fantastic job as a contest judge. Actually, all the judges did a great job. A special thanks to Pim de Ridder, managing director of the International Automotive Glass Federation, who organized a very special, well-run event.

Visit GlassMagazine.com for competition results, photo galleries and more.


—By Leo Cyr, vice president of auto glass, National Glass Association

The glasstec supernova also twinkles

I flew into Dusseldorf in the wee hours of the morning today. It was rainy and gray when I got off the flight. I remember Munich was gray and rainy too when I visited years ago in spring. That was vacation; not this so much. Already dog tired from staying up the night before, I checked in at the hotel, jumped into the shower and headed to the trade show.

This is my first glasstec, and boy, am I wowed. My tiredness disappeared for a bit from all the lights, the people, the buzz and the glam of it all. The nine huge halls showcase gleaming, colorful glass products and mammoth glazing equipment; and there are even glass art, glass jewelry and trinkets to purchase. A giant glass show with a feminine side? Neat.

This year, for the first time art works in glass have been grouped in their own area in Hall 9 on more than 1,000 square meters of space. This is in reaction to the growing interest from international artists. More than 60 artists, including internationally renowned galleries and the glass artists association Glas Kunstlervereinigung NRW, are showcasing their craft at this show.

Today’s opening ceremony had more sparkle in store, literally. It featured Kristalleon performing “Girl from Ipanema.” Think a man in a court jester-like costume made of a shiny silver material with mirror encrusting and a silver Venetian-like mask. He had a tray full of wine glasses filled/half-filled with water and he rubbed those to make music. He reminded me of the man in Alexandria, Va., who does the same most evenings sitting at the water front. Except, the Alexandria man doesn’t wear a sparkly costume.

The shine continues through the show floor, including the amazing glass bridge, a crystal clear, bent bridge in cold-mounted glass with a span of 7 meters. The seele company presents the bridge in cooperation with professor Stefan Behling, University of Stuttgart, and Stefan Peters, Engelsmann Peters Ingenieure, as part of the glass technology live show. The surface of the bridge is clear and is made of individual, 4-millimeter thick bent glass panes, each with total dimensions of only 3.7 centimeters total lamination. At the broadest point, the bridge measures 2 meters; 1.7 tons of glass support a 7.2-ton load over a span width of 7 meters.

My bone tiredness disappeared as I walked around with a gaping mouth, before it hit me back like a ton of bricks around 3 p.m. As I left the trade show to come back to the hotel and catch some z’s, the rain fell and a chilly wind blew. My body had shut down, but my head was still full of the gianormous show with a twinkle in its heart.

Click here to read glasstec coverage.

By Sahely Mukerji, news editor/managing editor, Glass Magazine

Bailout brings sunny days to solar industry

Economists, politicians and Joe Six-Packs alike continue to debate the effectiveness of the U.S. government’s $700 billion Wall Street bailout. Representatives from the solar industry, however, seem to agree that the bailout and its huge earmark for alternative energies will at least provide their industry a major boost in the United States.

"The subsidies for the solar industry in the bailout create great growth potential for solar in the U.S.,” Brian Lynch, public relations manager, Schott North America, Elmsford, N.Y., said during the Solar Power International expo, Oct. 13-16 in San Diego.

The bailout plan contains $17 billion in energy-related credits, according to an Oct. 8 article from the Miami Herald. “The tax credits for wind and solar were set to expire at the end of this year. The bailout package not only extended them, it enhanced the solar credit. Instead of a 30 percent credit with a cap of $2,000, the credit starting next year will cover 30 percent of however much a homeowner spends,” the Miami Herald’s John Dorschner wrote in the article.

While strong government subsidies have helped the industry flourish throughout Europe, solar power has been too cost-prohibitive for many building and homeowners in the United States. The solar tax credits in the bailout could lead to a solar boom in the U.S. market, says Dirk Vollbrecht, CFO of Ecostream US Inc., West Sacramento, Calif. “The U.S. market will become the largest in the world in the next three years. It’s just going to explode here,” he says.

Read Glass Magazine news coverage from the expo.

—By Katy Devlin, commercial glass and metals editor, retail glass co-editor, Glass Magazine

An election to remember

Much has been written lately about how poorly our federal government is run. And, to be sure, "official Washington" leaves much to be desired.

There is a nagging void at a number of levels.

Congressmen seem more focused on toeing the party line and raising money for re-election than on serving their constituencies. Combine that with a lame-duck administration whose leadership must be questioned (you don't know how hard it is for me to admit that!), and most of us are left with a yearning for someone – anyone! – who will inject some sanity into the madness.

The passage of the Wall Street bailout bill was important and necessary; but by no means does it resolve the many issues weighing on our nation.

In just a short three weeks, you and I will cast our ballots for the candidates we choose to lead our nation through one of its most challenging periods.

At roughly the same time, Steve Mort, CEO, Don's Mobile is being elected chairman of the National Glass Association. Among his key priorities, Steve is committed to unifying the various segments of the glass industry during his tenure. As Belron CEO Gary Lubner recently observed in a well-timed video interview, it would be good if our industry united under one banner. Well, you know where this writer’s heart lies. I believe it is safe to say that Steve and I are on the same page, too.

I know most of us are struggling to contend with a historically difficult economic environment; but I urge you not to waiver on your support of, or involvement with, the NGA. I’ve been encouraged by the commitment our members have shown to their association during this tough cycle. Now more than ever, we need all the energy and unity we can muster. Fortunately, the NGA has picked an opportune moment to be at the top of its game.

In the coming year, the NGA will underscore its leadership role with frequent, deliberative communications in a proactive effort to galvanize glass shops of all shapes, sizes and industry segments behind a common goal.

We will collaborate with like-minded groups, as always; but more importantly, expect the NGA to ramp up its commitment to you. That work has already begun with recent improvements to our magazines, MyGlassClass.com, NGA certification, GlassBuild America, the Glass Management Institute, and so much more. But, I’m pleased to say, the best is yet to come!

We should all pray that the same will be said for our nation. I certainly believe that is the case. That’s why I will be exercising my right to vote on Nov. 4; and I hope you will as well. I urge you to encourage your employees to vote as well. After all, our nation is at a critical crossroads. It’s more than the typical cliché to say that this may be the most important election of our lifetimes.

Vote well, my friend. And if you live in Chicago, vote often!

By David Walker, vice president, Association Services, National Glass Association

VIDEO Interview: IGE exec sees light at the end of the economic tunnel

The news yesterday of the Dow’s morning plunge below 10,000 should have put me in low financial spirits. But, Michael Spellman, president of IGE Solutions Inc., Jupiter, Fla., helped me fend off my financial funk during a one-on-one interview when he gave a much-needed optimistic forecast for the glass industry.

“We’re very bullish about the future. We think the glass industry is going to keep growing, and we think IGE is going to keep growing,” Spellman said.

Watch the full interview from the floor of GlassBuild America below. Visit http://www.glassmagazine.com/ for more news from the show.

Top 10 jolts in the glass industry

The financial shock waves emanating from Wall Street to Main Street had me remembering more than my Great Depression history classes. This year alone, the glass industry has weathered sizeable storms. Unlike David Letterman’s Top 10 list, mine is no laughing matter, but there is an upside.

1. The decline of the housing market



2. The corresponding credit and financial crisis



3. The rise of energy costs



4. The tapering of China’s influence



5. AGC’s float and coating plant closures; intent to sell fabrication business by year-end



6. PPG’s force majeure notice; sale of its automotive OEM and replacement glass services businesses



7. Retail auto glass consolidations such as Belron’s purchase of Diamond Glass and Cindy Rowe Auto Glass



8. Glass, metal and other price increases



9. The specter of a glass shortage?



10. The promise of “green” or sustainable glass products and building design

I didn’t list it, but there’s talk of a slow-down in the commercial market; no surprise to industry veterans who have experienced previous business cycles. Meanwhile, does anyone remember a time of such variation in glass price increases? The law of supply and demand—fewer domestic float tanks producing glass, prices up for imported glass—holds true.

Of course, economic downturns also bring new opportunities. Companies trim down, go on sale and focus on products for the future, like solar glass. As I write this, suppliers to the industry are setting up booths at GlassBuild America in Las Vegas. Solar glass is just one of many new products and services on display. The show must go on, sales will be made and nimble, innovative glass companies will prosper.

- By Nicole Harris, publisher, Glass Magazine