As the vibrant halls of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas come alive, the excitement surrounding GlassBuild America 2024 is palpable.
Running until October 2, this year’s showcase brings together over 500 exhibitors, offering a rich tapestry of glass machinery options, hardware choices, and innovative products spanning the glass, glazing, and fenestration supply chains. Attendees from across the industry are navigating the expansive show floor, engaging in meaningful conversations and exploring cutting-edge technologies that define the future of glass manufacturing.
USGlass took this opportunity to connect with exhibitors, capturing their impressions of the event, their business goals, and the products generating buzz on the show floor.
Day One Impressions 
The feedback from Day One has been overwhelmingly positive. Joseph Santelli from Xinglass expressed his surprise at the high turnout, stating, “It’s been pretty good. We had a lot of people who came by yesterday, more than expected for the first day. Usually, the second day is the best.”
Holly Anderson of Woods Powr-Grip echoed this sentiment, noting the engagement level: “Day one went really well. It was well attended and busy. We had a lot of good conversations. It feels like we are seeing a different audience than normal.” Anderson observed a notable influx of visitors from Texas and Florida, regions that are becoming increasingly important for their business growth.
Josiah Swab, senior developer at GDS Estimating, shared that the show has also been fruitful for his company. “We talked to 31 different people; seventy percent of them were existing users, and thirty percent were new users. We had a couple of people from Europe, but mostly from the United States,” he remarked.
Convention Goals
The motivations behind attendance at GlassBuild America vary widely among exhibitors, largely depending on their business models and market strategies. Santelli emphasized his objective: “We’ve sold a lot of furnaces in the U.S. and Canada, but our name still isn’t as big as some of the larger tempering furnace companies. My goal is to get our name out there, so that when people think about buying a different furnace, they at least contact us.”
For Woods Powr-Grip, supporting their distribution partners is paramount. Anderson clarified, “We sell through distribution, so our goal is to support our dealers and push business to them. We don’t have a great way to measure return on investment for a show like this since we’re not selling directly.” By referring customers to their distribution network, they aim to bolster business for their partners.
NanaWall’s Meagan Lalonde described the need for stronger connections with installers. “We want to connect more with glaziers throughout the nation. Glaziers are the most important part of our installation process. We want to work closely with them to ensure that our product and delivery meet their expectations.”
Chad Hood, sales manager for Mapes, expressed a similar intent, focusing on reconnections. “We’re still kind of rebounding from COVID-19, so it’s good to see customers and reconnect. Our main goal is to reconnect with past customers.”
Product Showcase
As part of the event, exhibitors are showcasing innovative products that align with current industry demands. Santelli noted a shift in customer requests towards upgrades, stating, “Companies want upgrades—new functions, software. One of the things about tempering ovens is that they don’t go bad for a long time. You can always update them to newer systems.”
Woods Powr-Grip introduced their MRPT16 Lifter, a 2,800-pound machine capable of rotating and tilting, which has been designed to facilitate the installation of large skylights. Anderson explained its unique capabilities: “It has been helpful for large skylights, pitched at an angle so you can stop it where you need to get it set in those roof applications.”
Lalonde highlighted a growing trend in consumer preferences for larger structures, stating, “People are requesting our jumbo glass-zero sliders that reach 16 feet. That big glass, multi-sliding track and minimal frame is what people want.”
Lastly, GDS Estimating showcased their beta arts feature, which has garnered a positive reception from attendees, according to Swab. “Of course, some prospective clients are looking for something less expensive; they’re smaller companies and don’t need a heavy solution,” he noted.
As GlassBuild America 2024 progresses, the momentum continues to build, reflecting the industry’s resilience and innovation. With a focus on connectivity, product advancement, and strategic goals, attendees are poised to harness the insights and relationships cultivated at the event for future success.
Source:USGlass with additional information added by GlassBalkan
