Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Hosts Dynamic Roundtable on Embracing Innovation at 2024 Annual Conference
The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) took center stage at its 2024 Annual Conference, leaving an indelible mark by hosting a thought-provoking roundtable discussion titled “Embracing Innovation in the Windows Industry.” Distinguished panelists, including Mike Turner of YKK AP America, Morgan Donohue of Erdman Automation Corp., and Dean Ruark of PGT Innovations, captivated the audience with insightful discussions on the transformative realms of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and product innovation. This event, the third of its kind organized by FGIA, aimed to propel the windows industry forward by addressing cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking strategies.
The roundtable, moderated by Ray Garries of Global Fenestration Advisors, kicked off with a digital poll gauging the participants’ early encounters with AI in their respective workforces. Surprisingly, 36 percent acknowledged the integration of AI, setting the stage for an exploration of the challenges and opportunities this technology presents in the industry. Mike Turner emphasized the need for businesses to evolve without resistance to change. “Our industry is not adopting new technology as rapidly as others, but we can integrate them,” Turner remarked. He highlighted the potential benefits of AI, ranging from enhancing worker safety to utilizing robotic inspection for products. Turner envisioned a future where setting up a virtual factory becomes synonymous with creating processes within the metaverse, allowing for real-time testing in a virtual environment before implementation in the physical realm.
However, Turner acknowledged the unique challenges AI poses, particularly in terms of data protection. “If you put something out there with AI, how can you protect it? This is a good point and something we are trying to understand,” he expressed. The discussion underscored the industry’s collective responsibility to navigate the ethical and security considerations associated with AI integration.
Morgan Donohue shifted the focus to innovations in automation, sharing his company’s work with FlexScreen to create an automated, high-efficiency production line for window screens. He emphasized the importance of understanding one’s capabilities and limitations in innovation. “Innovation means knowing what you can and can’t do. Know your abilities and your limitations. Understand your costs and determine whether or not something makes sense,” Donohue advised. He stressed the importance of assembling the right team for effective problem-solving, incorporating individuals with both big-picture thinking and attention to detail.
Dean Ruark brought a unique perspective to the discussion, centering his points around glass and product innovation. He shared PGT Innovations’ pivotal role in introducing the first Miami Dade-approved impact-resistant glass window in 1994. Reflecting on the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Ruark emphasized the company’s commitment to building stronger windows to save lives. Today, PGT Innovations is renowned for its resistant products, including a lighter weight laminate glass and thin triples – large, durable glass products that have become industry benchmarks.
Ruark offered valuable advice to aspiring innovators, emphasizing the importance of genuine curiosity, passion for work, effective communication, and staying informed through inspirational content. “Focus on what you can control and embrace new tech,” he urged. The discussion encapsulated a collective call to action for the industry to foster innovation, adapt to technological advancements, and collaborate in shaping the future of the windows industry.
Source: FGIAonline.org with additional information added by GlassBalkan