U.S. Glazing Executives Forum names main risks in 2022

The Glazing Executives Forum brought together 165 glazing industry representatives in Atlanta in late September 2021 to discuss main problems glazing companies will run into in the near future – from the ongoing workforce deficit to supply chain problems. Established 15 years ago by the U.S. National Glass Association, the Glazing Executives Forum is held together with GlassBuild America.

“The biggest issue facing glaziers today is the labor shortage,” says Jenni Chase, director of content and education for the NGA.
According to Ken Simonson, chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America, “The overall construction industry lost 1.1 million jobs in the first two months of the pandemic, adding to an already difficult labor situation for construction firms. The most difficult positions to fill are craft positions. Glaziers are among those craft positions, and over 70 percent say have trouble filling jobs.”
The pandemic upended global supply chains, leading to delays and material cost inflation. “Unfortunately, the supply chain problems do look like they’re going to continue,” he says. “When ships start coming, they are coming too fast for West Coast ports to handle. Why? Because the terminals are stacked so high with containers. Why? Because there aren’t enough truck drivers. … There are a lot more bottlenecks for construction.”
“To protect their glazing companies, owners need to establish risk management practices on every project,” John Nolan, practicing attorney at The Gary Law Group, notes.

Based on materials from https://www.glassbuildamerica.com/