GLAZING AFTER PANDEMIC TIMES

‍Covid Impact

The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on various industries worldwide, and the glass industry in the United States was no exception. But far from being severely affected, The architectural glass industry underwent a process of adaptation, with new code requirements derived from federal and state agencies implemented by most of the architectural and construction sector. Manufacturers brought new products, new hardware, and new designs to the market result of virtual meetings and home working. They brought with them glass dividers for office cubicles and protective barriers between collaborators and clients, saturating the market with new products and ideas ranging from functional and aesthetic to ostentatious and impractical. The fact was that, faced with this new need, instead of creating a gap in the industry, it spurred creativity, innovation, and motivation to think outside the box, glass industry demonstrated remarkable resilience, bouncing back stronger than ever.

Ukraine on the Map

When it seemed like it was only going to be an inconvenience to work from your home desk or laptop at the breakfast bar, the world woke up to the news that an armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine was beginning, and with it, sanctions on the main natural gas exporting country, the glass manufacturing industry began to face challenges due to supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and reduced demand, shooting prices up like a missile reaching the sky. Every intermediary was left with no other option but to increase their prices proportional to it, and who ended up paying for, as always, was the end consumer. With this new panorama, architects and general contractors had to redesign many of their initial plans to fit the budget but even this did not prevent many projects from freezing and waiting for a more stable market.

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Politics vs Logistics

Large glass projects are often to create interior glass partitions for offices of large corporations and firms. Headquarters and branches of companies then sent most of their staff working from remote locations pushing to reconsider investing in this type of projects, as it seemed to lack sufficient sense. Shared space companies like WeWork, Industrious, and CommonDesk analyzed the viability of their business concepts. In the face of this situation, governments at all levels went into action to encourage the pace of the sector by approving more and better tax deductions with the idea of creating a cascading effect. Nevertheless, many investors reserved the need to make important decisions until this new presidential electoral process comes to an end and have a clearer and firmer view where each invested dollar can generate utility, However, as vaccination efforts increased and pandemic restrictions eased, the construction industry experienced a surge in activity, leading to a higher demand for architectural glass.

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Near Future

We are about to complete almost a period of 5 years of global economic and social turbulence, which brought with it new requirements, products, and processes. Despite being a setback for workers, this crisis was also an opportunity for entrepreneurs to navigate these waters and take their ship to the other side of the pandemic. . Glass manufacturers responded to the demand for touchless solutions by developing antimicrobial coatings and smart glass technology, which gained popularity in the post-pandemic world.

Now that many sectors are more stable and calm, inflation is stamped on every dollar, and the new prices will not go back. However, the salaries of builders and installers are not able to keep up with the percentage of this inflation. So we will have to get used to the new norm. We will never be able to predict with certainty which and when the next crisis the glass industry and each involved party will face. But what we can take as a lesson that what started out as deadly virus for humans was only a common cold for the glass and glazing sector, with temporarily symptoms of weakness of body and mind but not defeating them. Instead, we now developed stronger and more effective defenses for these challenges, because what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. According to recent data, the US glass market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 5% from 2021 to 2026, reaching a market value of $44 billion by 2026,. the employment outlook for the glass industry has improved significantly. As construction projects resume and businesses reopen, the need for skilled workers in the glass installation and glazing field has increased, creating more job opportunities and career growth potential for professionals in the glass industry.

In conclusion, the glass industry in the United States has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability during the pandemic and its aftermath. With a strong focus on innovation and meeting evolving customer needs, the sector continues to grow and play a vital role in modern architecture and design. The future looks promising as the industry embraces technological advancements and sustainable practices, contributing to economic growth and job creation.