I wish we didn't need bullet-resistant glass.
I wish we didn't need blast-resistant glass.
I'm proud that our industry protects people in hurricanes and car accidents.
I wish that our co-workers will never get hurt,
but I'm glad we have hard hats and glass-workers sleeves.
I wish that energy savings glass will be universal.
I wish all a healthy, happy, prosperous and loving New Year.
Let everyone know what your wish list is at The Glass and Glazing Forum section of USGNN.com.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
The UN Building
Attention all manufacturers and fabricators: This afternoon, the United Nations announced they will be renovating the New York City headquarters building. Every laminator should jump right on this one.
From a security and laminated glass point of view, this will be the most visible job in the world. I hope every US manufacturer is checking for details and gets in on this world class job.
Good Luck
From a security and laminated glass point of view, this will be the most visible job in the world. I hope every US manufacturer is checking for details and gets in on this world class job.
Good Luck
Friday, December 22, 2006
What Is So Special About Ninety-Nine
99 is a funny number...
1 is just a plain straight line, 99 has got two smiles, and looks back at you!
99 rolls off the tognue with lots of syllables, not just a boring, easy-to-say 2.
(( if you hold the caps key down 99 looks like this, its cool,
## when you press 3 with the caps key looks like a sports coat pattern in Florida.
99 plus 44 hundreths makes a great soap commerical.
66 could be a really cool number, but the highway got their rights in first, and that means something.
9T9 can be written in a funny way, 7T7 looks hard to read.
So we are left with 99...
Oh by the way, The NY Mets opening day is 99 days away.
(Yes, I have way too much time on my hands Please visit the USGNN News Forum [usgnn.com] and tell us your ideas on anything to do with glass, metal and our glazing industry!)
1 is just a plain straight line, 99 has got two smiles, and looks back at you!
99 rolls off the tognue with lots of syllables, not just a boring, easy-to-say 2.
(( if you hold the caps key down 99 looks like this, its cool,
## when you press 3 with the caps key looks like a sports coat pattern in Florida.
99 plus 44 hundreths makes a great soap commerical.
66 could be a really cool number, but the highway got their rights in first, and that means something.
9T9 can be written in a funny way, 7T7 looks hard to read.
So we are left with 99...
Oh by the way, The NY Mets opening day is 99 days away.
(Yes, I have way too much time on my hands Please visit the USGNN News Forum [usgnn.com] and tell us your ideas on anything to do with glass, metal and our glazing industry!)
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Southern Comfort
I had a really great dinner with my closest and most respected friend this evening. I was early, he was on time, so I thought about a drink. I looked at the bar and saw a bottle of Southern Comfort, and I bet it tasted better then it looked, but since I was driving... (that's another story)
Why do they call it Southern Comfort. Because the South is warmer than the North. Of course. This fine whiskey was developed long before Low-E glass made the North more comfortable, and it even works in the South too! Come on glass sellers...the more we show and talk about low-e, whether soft coat, hard coat, or plaid coat, the better our industry will be.
Every job you quote, whether the customer asks for it or not, give an alternate with low-e. You may have to explain a little, or show a sample. Do it. This will help your business, help our industry, and help our country reduce energy waste.
Why do they call it Southern Comfort. Because the South is warmer than the North. Of course. This fine whiskey was developed long before Low-E glass made the North more comfortable, and it even works in the South too! Come on glass sellers...the more we show and talk about low-e, whether soft coat, hard coat, or plaid coat, the better our industry will be.
Every job you quote, whether the customer asks for it or not, give an alternate with low-e. You may have to explain a little, or show a sample. Do it. This will help your business, help our industry, and help our country reduce energy waste.
Monday, December 18, 2006
What I Learned at AutoZone
Even though I wrote winter wasn't coming to New Hampshire...there was ice on my windshield the other day. I turned on the wipers, and one stuck to the glass tearing the rubber.
I went to a local AutoZone store to get one wiper blade. A young man immedietely came up to me, asked what I needed and walked me over the the correct rack. As I picked up one blade he said, "Sir, if one blade tore, the other is probably weak too, and if you would like the second one, I would be glad to ring it up for you." This gentleman was either a natural customer service person, or had good training.
The story continues...As we went to the parts counter to put this sale in the computer register, he said, "Sir, since you are buying wiper blades you may need a gallon of windshiled washer fluid. Would you like one gallon? It is on sale for $1.79."
A $7 sale became a $17 sale, and I thanked the gentleman for helping me. We have all seen this at a restaurant where suddenly the desert cart appears and the chocolate cake get added to the bill.
We don't do this well in the retial glass business. ALWAYS, ALWAYS ask your cutomer if there is anything else you can do for them. Remind them you do mirrors and skylights, if they came in for auto, and visa-versa. Do you have displays of items you can sell? Look at your stock of supplies and tools, most of them are saleable. Put up a dozen cans of glass cleaner at double what you paid. They'll sell. Place a dozen glass gloves on the counter with a sign that says, "In addition to helping us with glass, these are the world's best gloves for handling Rose bushes and all planting." They'll sell. Make a little box area for screws, for mirror clips and J-clips.
Put up a display of the different caulkings you have in stock, again double your pricing, and you will sell a couple of tubes a week. It's found money.
Use your cut-offs to make a couple of dozen 3x5, 4x6, 5x7, 9x11 or other standard size picture frames. A little sign above this precut glass will sell your cutoffs for you, instead of paying to put them in the trash. Lightly seam each one , wrap it in plain newspaper and you have turned junk into sales.
If you are an auto glass shop, sell windshield wipers and washer fluid.
If you are a window company, sell the do-it-yourself-screen-patch kits. Of course you will be twice as expensive as the big box store down the street, but impulse buying has little price pressure. The customer sees it, remembers they need it, and thanks you for having it...at any price!
Impulse buying items should be near your register if possible. All the framed mirrors in your shop should be sparkling clean, with visible price tags. Table tops on display shoud have a sign saying "we can custom make a table top to your exact needs--there is no need to take a standard size that doesn't fit you home"
Some shops keep a lo-priced bin with scratched or off-size table-tops. Let your customers look through this bin, and a few will turn into a sale. Be sure to putton cork buttons on each top.
Which brings up another sales item. Every homeowner needs clear plastic discs or buttons to level a piece of glass sitting on top of something. There isn't one household in America, (except Martha Stewart's), that doesn't need one button or disc. Your sale is only a nickel, but the customer will remember you as a go-to shop for something unique.
Keep you small display area neat, well lit, near where customers wait while a car is being done, or a screen is being repaired. At the holiday season: "the gift for the home DIY person...their own professional quality glass cutter, just like we use". Again, just double up on something that you have in stock anyway.
Thanks for reading...US Glass Magazine is the place to go for ideas and trends in our industry.
I went to a local AutoZone store to get one wiper blade. A young man immedietely came up to me, asked what I needed and walked me over the the correct rack. As I picked up one blade he said, "Sir, if one blade tore, the other is probably weak too, and if you would like the second one, I would be glad to ring it up for you." This gentleman was either a natural customer service person, or had good training.
The story continues...As we went to the parts counter to put this sale in the computer register, he said, "Sir, since you are buying wiper blades you may need a gallon of windshiled washer fluid. Would you like one gallon? It is on sale for $1.79."
A $7 sale became a $17 sale, and I thanked the gentleman for helping me. We have all seen this at a restaurant where suddenly the desert cart appears and the chocolate cake get added to the bill.
We don't do this well in the retial glass business. ALWAYS, ALWAYS ask your cutomer if there is anything else you can do for them. Remind them you do mirrors and skylights, if they came in for auto, and visa-versa. Do you have displays of items you can sell? Look at your stock of supplies and tools, most of them are saleable. Put up a dozen cans of glass cleaner at double what you paid. They'll sell. Place a dozen glass gloves on the counter with a sign that says, "In addition to helping us with glass, these are the world's best gloves for handling Rose bushes and all planting." They'll sell. Make a little box area for screws, for mirror clips and J-clips.
Put up a display of the different caulkings you have in stock, again double your pricing, and you will sell a couple of tubes a week. It's found money.
Use your cut-offs to make a couple of dozen 3x5, 4x6, 5x7, 9x11 or other standard size picture frames. A little sign above this precut glass will sell your cutoffs for you, instead of paying to put them in the trash. Lightly seam each one , wrap it in plain newspaper and you have turned junk into sales.
If you are an auto glass shop, sell windshield wipers and washer fluid.
If you are a window company, sell the do-it-yourself-screen-patch kits. Of course you will be twice as expensive as the big box store down the street, but impulse buying has little price pressure. The customer sees it, remembers they need it, and thanks you for having it...at any price!
Impulse buying items should be near your register if possible. All the framed mirrors in your shop should be sparkling clean, with visible price tags. Table tops on display shoud have a sign saying "we can custom make a table top to your exact needs--there is no need to take a standard size that doesn't fit you home"
Some shops keep a lo-priced bin with scratched or off-size table-tops. Let your customers look through this bin, and a few will turn into a sale. Be sure to putton cork buttons on each top.
Which brings up another sales item. Every homeowner needs clear plastic discs or buttons to level a piece of glass sitting on top of something. There isn't one household in America, (except Martha Stewart's), that doesn't need one button or disc. Your sale is only a nickel, but the customer will remember you as a go-to shop for something unique.
Keep you small display area neat, well lit, near where customers wait while a car is being done, or a screen is being repaired. At the holiday season: "the gift for the home DIY person...their own professional quality glass cutter, just like we use". Again, just double up on something that you have in stock anyway.
Thanks for reading...US Glass Magazine is the place to go for ideas and trends in our industry.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Would you pay $100 Million for a glazier?
The Boston Red Sox just paid about $100,000,000 for a gentleman to throw a baseball for 5 years. They think it is a good investment, which will help in winning ball games, which in the long run will help turn a profit. (In my never ending quest to help others, I offered to do the job for only $50,000,000, but my offer must have been delayed by the holiday mail rush.) Their scouting reports said this guy was worth it, but he had to come to Boston to take a physical before the contract would be effective.
Do you do a lot of homework when you hire a glazier, or any other person in your company? All of us should. When you hire someone you are responsable for their actions. If you hire somewone with a drunk driving conviction on their license, put them in your truck, and the next day they have an accident, you better know the phone number of your lawyer.
Before you hire someone who will drive, tell them the job is conditional on their passing a driving review by your insurance company. Get a copy of the their driver's license, call your insurance agent and check their driving record. This is a courtesy that every agent should give you...if not...search for a new agent!
It's your name on the truck. You have the right and frankly the obligation to check on this part of someone's background. This will protect you in the long run.
If a $100,000,000 pitcher needs a physical to prove what he can do, you can do the same in running your business.
Do you do a lot of homework when you hire a glazier, or any other person in your company? All of us should. When you hire someone you are responsable for their actions. If you hire somewone with a drunk driving conviction on their license, put them in your truck, and the next day they have an accident, you better know the phone number of your lawyer.
Before you hire someone who will drive, tell them the job is conditional on their passing a driving review by your insurance company. Get a copy of the their driver's license, call your insurance agent and check their driving record. This is a courtesy that every agent should give you...if not...search for a new agent!
It's your name on the truck. You have the right and frankly the obligation to check on this part of someone's background. This will protect you in the long run.
If a $100,000,000 pitcher needs a physical to prove what he can do, you can do the same in running your business.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
A quick trip to Home Depot
Over the weekend I did what we all do, went to Home Depot to get something I was requested to bring home. Now, anyone reading this blog sure is excited...arn't you...what did Paul buy that was worth writing a blog on?
And the answer is..it doesn't matter. But what I saw walking in the door should have an impact on all employers who read this note.
On the front door is a HELP WANTED sign, with a little tag line at the bottom: "We test all applicants for illegal drugs". So if you are taking an illegal drug, do you apply for a really good job at Home Depot? Or do you walk down the street to the next business that doesn't have this sign in the window.
Now, look at the front door of your Glass Shop, what does your help wanted sign say. If you don't drug test, you are getting all the people who don't go through the door at companies that do.
Think about it.
Drop me a note on the Glass Forum or as a post on the blog, and I'll give you details on how to set up an easy-to-administer drug testing program that will help your safety record and your whole company.
And the answer is..it doesn't matter. But what I saw walking in the door should have an impact on all employers who read this note.
On the front door is a HELP WANTED sign, with a little tag line at the bottom: "We test all applicants for illegal drugs". So if you are taking an illegal drug, do you apply for a really good job at Home Depot? Or do you walk down the street to the next business that doesn't have this sign in the window.
Now, look at the front door of your Glass Shop, what does your help wanted sign say. If you don't drug test, you are getting all the people who don't go through the door at companies that do.
Think about it.
Drop me a note on the Glass Forum or as a post on the blog, and I'll give you details on how to set up an easy-to-administer drug testing program that will help your safety record and your whole company.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
The $29.00 per Square Foot Low-e
Following my blog, you know we recently moved to our house in the mountains of New Hampshire. It is a 65 year old house that has the original wood windows. In keeping with the style of the house we wanted to put in new wooden windows. I called the local distributor of a major wood window manufacturer. A salesperson came to the house, measured and promised a quote. Since he didn't recognize me (obviously he hadn't read US Glass, shame on him), I didn't tell him about my knowledge of glass. The quote came in. To make a long story short, as a consumer I was quoted $29.00 a square foot add-on for hard-coat low-e with argon. Let's look for a new quote.
Now, why is this a story? At $250.00 a window, and thirty windows in the house, low-e with argon would never pay for itself. The glass industry should have a mission to install low-e in all new and total replacement jobs. Come on guys...sure I will get other quotes, but the average person would not order low-e, the invisible magic energy saver. Where are the floaters who sell this manufacturer directly? Don't they work with the distributors to encourage use of low-e? At $29, do they realize they are not selling low-e? Here's a tip for every float glass sales force...look at your customer's customer...see what low-e is selling for, and encourage your customers to make a fair profit, but we all know that $29 is just plain stupid.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Its coming right around the corner
In 114 Days and about 12 hours, the Met's will hear those great words--"Plaaay Baaaallll". Deb Levy, who after all is the boss, wants these blogs about glass. So, Deb, I will drink a glass of diet-coke while watching opening day for the Mets.
It is kinda of late tonight. Tomorrow there will actually be something on glass...probably low-e glass in my blog. For now, let's think about only 114 days away.
It is kinda of late tonight. Tomorrow there will actually be something on glass...probably low-e glass in my blog. For now, let's think about only 114 days away.
It snowed yesterday
I woke up yesterday morning and the mountain, normally visible from our house was gone...I went on line, and the world was still here, so it was easy to rule out some of the global problems. An hour later I looked again, and the mountain was back. What a relief. But something changed. It was now white. Moving from tropical Long Island to New Hampshire should have been my first clue. Everyone told me it would snow here, but I didn't believe. The glass companies were still busy and we all know glass fabricators slow down in the winter. The calendar said "its not winter yet", so how did I know?
I called a couple of friends in the glass business in New York, and they were really busy. It couldn't be winter. So, here's the early results from New Hampshire: Until the glass companies slow down, it is not winter, no matter what my eyes see on the mountain.
I called a couple of friends in the glass business in New York, and they were really busy. It couldn't be winter. So, here's the early results from New Hampshire: Until the glass companies slow down, it is not winter, no matter what my eyes see on the mountain.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Health Insurance
Hello there in glassland,
I received an interesting wake-up call today as I was purchasing medical insurance for my wife and myself. I have been on COBRA, courtesy of Oldcastle Glass(by the way, a sincere thanks to Oldcastle Glass) since my retirement last year. The insurance agent was very gentle today, but I still left with a headache. Replacing the generous policy we had, on an individual basis, costs close to $17,000 per year. Individual insurance is always more expensive than group insurance, and yes, tax benefits help. The point of this is: If you own a business and give your employees health insurance, or even cover a part of it, be sure to tell you group what you really pay. It is probably the largest expense you have that you don't have the ability to control. If you are an employee who gets some or all of your health insurance, next time you see the boss, just say thanks.
I received an interesting wake-up call today as I was purchasing medical insurance for my wife and myself. I have been on COBRA, courtesy of Oldcastle Glass(by the way, a sincere thanks to Oldcastle Glass) since my retirement last year. The insurance agent was very gentle today, but I still left with a headache. Replacing the generous policy we had, on an individual basis, costs close to $17,000 per year. Individual insurance is always more expensive than group insurance, and yes, tax benefits help. The point of this is: If you own a business and give your employees health insurance, or even cover a part of it, be sure to tell you group what you really pay. It is probably the largest expense you have that you don't have the ability to control. If you are an employee who gets some or all of your health insurance, next time you see the boss, just say thanks.
The mail is slow in New Hampshire
Since we now live in New Hampshire, we have noticed changes from our hectic life living on Long Island. Our town has no red lights, only three stop signs, and if you look up 'peaceful' in the dictionary, you see a picture of our town center. There was more traffic on the Long Island Expressway in two minutes than in our town in one day. This is not a complaint, by the way...this is what we wanted.
But the only complaint must be the mail service. It has been two days now since Deb Levy had a few of us start the US Glass Blog program, and the book contracts have not yet arrived. The requests for autographed pictures must be in that same lost mail pouch. I know that thousands of glass shop owners and enthusiasts are reading these blogs, so maybe today's mail will be heavier.
On the other hand, please feel free to post to our sites with thoughts, comments, questions, or just venting about our wonderful glass industry.
But the only complaint must be the mail service. It has been two days now since Deb Levy had a few of us start the US Glass Blog program, and the book contracts have not yet arrived. The requests for autographed pictures must be in that same lost mail pouch. I know that thousands of glass shop owners and enthusiasts are reading these blogs, so maybe today's mail will be heavier.
On the other hand, please feel free to post to our sites with thoughts, comments, questions, or just venting about our wonderful glass industry.
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