BEC Conference focuses on how glaziers can position their companies for recovery

Glass industry representatives gathered in Las Vegas for the BEC Conference, March 18-20. Hosted by the Glass Association of North America, the event offered sessions on topics ranging from avoiding problems in the field to changes in contract language.

"The theme of our meeting is: how to position your company for recovery," said Henry Taylor, architectural services team manager for Kawneer Co., and GANA's BEC Division Chair.

Ted Hathaway, CEO, Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, kicked off the conference's full day of meetings, March 19, with a presentation on smart building envelopes. "How, as an industry, can we make use of new technology to build smarter building envelopes?" Hathaway asked the crowd. He presented brief case studies on three projects: 30 Mary Axe (The Gherkin) and Heron Tower, in London; and the under-construction Barclays Arena in Brooklyn. The projects demonstrate successful and diverse smart building designs achieved using extensive modeling, innovative technology and close communication, he said.

Victor Corniellier, CEO of TSI/Exterior Wall Systems, provided tips for glazing company executives in his presentation: "Leadership in your Contract Glazing Firm." According to Cornierllier, glaziers should live by three words: cost, cash and risk.

"None of us is too big to fail," he said. "These [three words] are the vital signs of your business." Cornierllier also emphasized that every company leader needs to have a succession plan. "You have to have a succession plan in order to survive," he said.

Anthony Callas, director of operations, Heinaman Contract Glazing, provided tips for project managers about avoiding problems in the field. The four most important considerations for contract glazing project managers are safety, quality, schedule and cost, he said.

Other presenters included: Thomas Schwartz, president of the building technology group and senior principal at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, who provided tips to avoid problems in the field in regard to installation, fabrication and labor; Richard Kalson, shareholder and attorney for Babst Calland Clements and Zomnir, who discussed trends and changes in contract language; and Courtney Little, president, Ace Glass Construction Corp., who discussed the importance of carefully tracking finances and profits.

For more news from the meeting, follow Glass Magazine's live Twitter feed.