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Glass exists as its own state of matter—a unique composition of environmental factors, crucial ingredients, and chemical reactions all coalescing into a structure used for both practical applications and creative inspirations.
In 1985, Dillmeier Glass Company faced a dilemma. More than 50 years prior, the Dillmeier family had created a successful glass business from the ground up, founded upon relationships with clients across the United States. However, JCPenney—as their largest client, accounting for more than 95 percent of all orders—was beginning to run out of projects.
If there’s one thing Tom Grzywa has learned from 30 years in the retail fixture business, it’s that security and transparency go hand in hand.
For more than 25 years, Grzywa has worked with Dillmeier Glass as a commercial glass fabrication partner to source top-quality lites for retail fixtures and other fabrication projects. Most recently, that partnership has flourished at Jahabow, where Grzywa works as vice president of the retail fixtures division. There, he’s overseen the manufacturing and sales for Jahabow’s full line of glass display cases and cabinets, ranging in application from sporting goods stores to luxury retailers.
Starting on the operations side of the business and eventually transitioning into sales and his current position, Grzywa has gained an appreciation for the people behind the business, whether in partner companies, or Jahabow’s factory in Missouri.
His extensive career has also provided an ideal vantage point to observe the many changes and trends that have emerged throughout the past three decades and will continue to push the industry forward into the foreseeable future.
Foremost among these are an increased need for security to stave off crime, and improved fixture mobility to help provide a flexible customer experience.
According to Grzywa, “smash-and-grab” crime—theft that includes destruction of a product display case to access valuable products—is on the rise.
Glass office doors incorporate style, aesthetics, and functionality into any workspace entryway, with endless customizations possible to create the perfect, signature fit for any business.
Glass office walls separate spaces while simultaneously promoting a feeling of openness and collaboration among employees, making them excellent additions to any workplace.
As construction and building design trends evolve, so too does the glass industry. Recent figures from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) detail a promising start to 2019 for the sector, characterized by significant job growth chipping away at a lingering shortage of qualified skilled workers from the previous year, among other indicators that include increased demand for automation, and bigger and more intricate glasswork.
The following are five key trends influencing the glass manufacturing industry in 2019:
Retail stores must constantly think of new ways to highlight products and boost sales. While digital efforts are certainly important, and more and more consumers shop online, in-store strategies still remain critical. Despite years of speculation about the demise of physical stores, they are gaining traction once again, underscoring the importance of custom retail store fixtures, such as glass display cases, shelving and stands.
There are many design elements that can make an office space pleasant. There are also those that can do the exact opposite, creating a less-than-satisfactory working environment, and even hindering productivity.
One potential challenge is noise control, especially within open-office layouts. While this design has its advantages, it may also make it difficult for some workers to concentrate. Glass partitions, whether used to separate individual workstations or conference and focus rooms, can help.
Commercial construction is the art of building and/or remodeling non-residential structures, including offices, retail stores, restaurants, hotels and medical facilities. Although relatively unchanged for many years, the industry has undergone several significant shifts recently, chiefly due to advancing technology and a growing understanding of our impact on the environment.
Those who don’t work in the glass fabrication industry likely don’t know too much about it. It affects everyone, however. Take a look around the building you work in, stores you shop at, sports arenas you visit, restaurants where you dine—more often than not, glass is incorporated into its design, and impacts your experience.
