Are the Hurricanes Coming?

One area where the glass and glazing industry is a true leader is in hurricane glazing products.  Time after time, when a hurricane hits, buildings that use hurricane protective glass and metal come through with flying colors.  So its no secret that this industry follows closely the annual hurricane forecasts put out by the various weather agencies ahead the season starting on June 1.  Right now the US is on a record run with it being nine years since a major hurricane (one that is classified as a 3,4,or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale) hit landfall.  As an example, “Super Storm Sandy” last year was only a category 1.  The last major hurricane was Wilma in 2005.  For this year the forecasts are once again calling for the season to be below average but the experts are worried since this nine-year streak is now the longest on record since 1878. Among the weather experts, there’s a gut feeling that our luck is about to run out and we may see that major hurricane this season.  Given the absolute craziness of our current weather patterns, I for one would not rule that out.  The clock starts in a few weeks… we’ll see if we once again can dodge the major bullet, but if not, at least we know the products this industry provides will once again be doing their jobs well.

Elsewhere…

--  A friend of mine this week sent me a copy of the wildest specification they have ever seen:

"Items listed with no substitute manufacturers have been requested by Owner/Architect to match existing for continuity and/or future performance and maintenance standards or, because the owner just wants it that way.” 

Gotta love that last line.  I was not told which product that this was for, but man I wish I had that sort of protection back in the time I was in manufacturing.

--  A major congratulations to Chris Dolan of Guardian Industries on his newest position at the company.  Chris is now Director of Marketing- North America Flat Glass and the promotion is well deserved.  Chris is the “MegaTron” of the industry (see my past fantasy football article) because of his ability to be in so many areas and do them all extremely well.  He’ll absolutely do a great job with this new challenge!

--  Not only are the people at Google interested in the world of “glass” but they’ve also developed a self-driving car.  Seriously.  After reading this article, I can tell you there’s no way I could ever sit in a vehicle and trust it the way Google expects you too.  It’s a computer after all… and my luck is while the car was speeding down the road the computer would get hung up like my home one does on random e-mails or websites.  To me this may be scarier than anything else Google is developing.

--  Oh and speaking of Google- if you have an account with them for Gmail or Youtube etc. you may want to check out this article about Google using your face and name in their ads.  If you don’t want to be in them, the article does give you instructions on opting out.

--  If you are a manufacturer and you have not checked out Katy Devlin’s article on the new, serious, wrinkles to LEED version 4, you need to do so… The issues she brings up in the piece will be affecting you and your business.  You really do need to start understanding them.  

- Great comments left on the blog last week, and thank you to everyone who left them.  I appreciate you all taking the time and adding to the flavor of the blog.  Please keep them coming!

--  Last this week… with Memorial Day next week; let’s remember those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the United States at home and abroad.  And as always, please keep all veterans and currently serving military folks in your thoughts as the jobs they had and continue to do are truly heroic.

LINKS of the WEEK

--  Props to this juror for saving a life in the courtroom

--  Fascinating act of charity, though somewhat bizarre.   And also brings to mind the issue of there’s so much wasted food in our world- we have to find a better way to make sure it can be shared and not wasted.

--  The ins, outs, ups, and downs of online commenting continue.

VIDEO of the WEEK

In honor of Memorial Day- a very moving video about our soldiers past and present.  And if you are moved to do something for these brave men and women, consider giving to an organization like the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes.  Learn more at SaluteHeroes.org.  Thank you.