Tag: glass industry

Fostering Technical Expertise in the Next Generation

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One of the biggest issues facing the glass industry is whether or not we are doing enough to address technical challenges. It’s an interesting and important question to consider.

Performance demands in commercial glass and glazing continue rising, and architectural designs grow increasingly bold in major projects. Meanwhile, highly glazed buildings must continue to prove themselves sustainable and resilient over the long term. Meeting these needs requires deep technical knowledge, manufacturing and glazing expertise, and high service levels throughout the value chain.

Do we have what it takes to deliver?

I believe the answer is yes. For as long as I’ve been a part of this industry—nearly 30 years—I’ve had the opportunity to work with countless incredibly talented people at every turn. I know firsthand that we can deliver on the needs of both today and tomorrow.

But “tomorrow” may be the most important part of that last sentence. I think the biggest challenge we face regarding technical knowledge and expertise is how we foster the next generation of experts and get new blood into the industry. We all know that recruiting is a challenge—whether on the production side or the installation side—and I think it’s incumbent upon all of us in the industry to showcase that fenestration is an industry where you can build a fulfilling career.

I wrote a bit about this subject earlier in the year. As the glass industry moves forward, we must do everything possible to cultivate a new generation of professionals to help our businesses succeed. Some of this will involve getting more familiar with younger workers—what interests them, motivates them, and more.

Because there are good jobs and opportunities in every corner of the fenestration industry, and we need to get young people to see the potential. Glass can—and should—be exciting. Whether it’s using drones for surveying purposes, new machinery for installing glass, testing visual mock-ups, or evaluating next-generation technologies like building-integrated photovoltaics or electrochromic glass, our industry is deploying first-class technology in every part of what we do.

On the factory side, there’s also an opportunity to change the stigma about what people associate with factories or manufacturing in general. Today’s glass plants are safe, clean and filled with advanced technology. Advanced automated processing lines are a wonder of modern technology—but they won’t be able to accomplish much without an educated new generation of production workers who can successfully operate and maintain such equipment.

Connecting with younger workers and recruits and advocating for our industry will be some of the most important things we do in the coming years. It will take proactive outreach, investment in good training/mentoring programs, and a truly collective effort from today’s glass professionals.

Joe Erb is a national account manager for Quanex.

Eye on Architects: Communicating with a Critical Audience

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In Debra Levy’s preview post for the upcoming American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference in Orlando, she noted that “the glass industry secretly loves architects.”

Indeed, the architectural community is a critical audience for glass fabricators and component manufacturers. Every building meets specific needs, whether it’s multifamily housing, a giant commercial high-rise structure, a hospital, or anything in between. The architect’s job is to balance beautiful design with functionality, comfort and purpose. Architects are charged with specifying products that suit those needs all while staying on budget, and glass and window systems are a major part of the equation.

The challenge, of course, is that architects are involved in so many different aspects of building design that it can be difficult to break through the noise. Lighting, heating and cooling, interior components, glass and glazing—all must be considered within a building.

Nevertheless, when the right solution comes along that balances aesthetics, performance and cost, architects pay attention. And there are several areas of opportunity where our industry is in a unique position to deliver.

The sustainability imperative. While we might not see many federally backed green building efforts coming anytime soon, the environmental performance of commercial buildings remains critical. Occupancy comfort and energy savings are simply good business for property owners, and that means architects’ eyes are always open for building materials that can help deliver on these needs.

Emerging, cost-effective technology. For all the ways in which architects seek to push design into new frontiers, they remain a justifiably risk-averse bunch. What good is design if performance doesn’t stack up?

Among fenestration technologies on the cusp of greater acceptance in the commercial space are high-performance vinyl window systems. These products have seen success in light-commercial and multifamily construction for their ability to drive down u-factors and boost performance without excessively complex conventional systems, all with the same installation, aesthetics and structural performance.

But vinyl has something of a perception problem, due to decades of being viewed as a “cheap” option. The truth is that it’s a cost competitive technology that can meet the toughest commercial demands, and continuing to educate the architectural community on the benefits can open new opportunities for commercial window OEMs.

Never forget aesthetics. And of course, glass itself continues to evolve, and so do the ways in which architects put it to use in their designs. High-performance glass enables architects to continue to break boundaries and push the limits of what’s possible in commercial structures.

And for these reasons, performance and aesthetic beauty must always go hand in hand. Our industry has done a tremendous job of heightening glass performance through coatings, insulating technologies, and more—but we can never rest on our laurels.

I’ll be attending this year’s AIA Conference, and I’m excited to learn and interface with the architectural community. Quanex will be exhibiting at the show as well—stop by and say hello at Booth #3725!

 Joe Erb is a commercial sales specialist at Quanex Building Products.