Glass Cast

Thank you Cyncly for sponsoring this episode of Glass Cast!

Don Busiek, strategic business and technology leader for Cyncly, joins NGA Chief Content Officer Katy Devlin and NGA Director of Membership Sarah Neiswanger to break down Cyncly's recent acquisition of Smart Glazer and what it means for glass fabricators, installers and homeowners. Don explains the concept of a digital thread connecting every step from order entry to delivery, why manual data reentry is one of the most expensive hidden costs in glass fabrication, and how companies that embrace digital transformation will leapfrog the competition. He also shares early beta feedback from fabricators and makes the case for why GFAB is a must-attend event. Recorded as part of the NGA Glass Fabricator (GFAB) Conference in Chicago, June 14–17.

Learn more about GFAB & Register: https://www.glass.org/GFAB

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Glass Magazine Website: https://www.glassmagazine.com/

Window + Door Website: https://www.windowanddoor.com/

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Thank you LiteSentry-Softsolution-Strainoptics for sponsoring this episode of Glass Cast!

Nate Huffman of LiteSentry, Softsolution and Strainoptics joins NGA Chief Content Officer Katy Devlin and NGA Director of Membership Sarah Neiswanger, to trace the evolution of glass inspection from manual zebra boards and handheld gauges to fully automated, real-time measurement systems. Nate explains what millidiopters are and why they matter, why the absence of customer complaints doesn't mean the absence of quality issues, and how inspection data is becoming both a process control tool and a competitive differentiator for fabricators. He also looks ahead to the future of smart furnaces and real-time feedback loops between inspection systems and tempering equipment. Recorded as part of the NGA Glass Fabricator (GFAB) Conference in Chicago, June 14–17.

Learn more about GFAB & Register: https://www.glass.org/

GFABSubscribe to NGA's YouTube Channel for more podcast episodes of Glass Cast and Window Cast: https://www.youtube.com/@NationalGlassAssociation

Explore more from NGA, GlassBuild America, Glass Magazine, and Window + Door Magazine:

NGA Website: https://www.glass.org/

GlassBuild America Website: https://www.glassbuildamerica.com/

Glass Magazine Website: https://www.glassmagazine.com/

Window + Door Website: https://www.windowanddoor.com/

Explore NGA & GlassBuild Socials:

NGA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-glass-association/

NGA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalGlassAssociation/

NGA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalglassassociation/

GlassBuild Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glassbuild

GlassBuild Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassbuildamerica/

Thank you IGE Glass Technologies for sponsoring this episode of Glass Cast!

Learn more about GFAB & Register: https://www.glass.org/GFAB

Michael Spellman, founder and CEO of IGE Glass, joins NGA Chief Content Officer Katy Devlin and NGA Director of Membership Sarah Neiswanger to discuss what the modern glass fabrication plant looks like and where it's headed. Drawing on more than 40 years of hands-on industry experience, Michael explains why he's shifted from chasing individual bottlenecks to thinking in systems, how smart automation naturally improves safety and flow, and why return on investment has to drive every equipment decision on the factory floor. He also shares IGE's legacy of bringing new technology to the industry and makes the case for why every fabricator should be at GFAB this June. Recorded as part of the NGA Glass Fabricator (GFAB) Conference in Chicago, June 14–17.

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Explore more from NGA, GlassBuild America, and Glass Magazine:

NGA Website: https://www.glass.org/

GlassBuild America Website: https://www.glassbuildamerica.com/

Glass Magazine Website: https://www.glassmagazine.com/

Explore NGA & GlassBuild Socials:

NGA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-glass-association/

NGA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalGlassAssociation/

NGA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalglassassociation/

GlassBuild Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glassbuild

GlassBuild Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassbuildamerica/

Listen in on a candid conversation about the forces reshaping architectural design—and what they mean for glazing contractors. From embodied carbon and thermal bridging to smart glass and supply chain resilience, architects are navigating intense performance pressures while clients demand transparency in every material decision. This standout session from the BEC Conference 2026 left attendees with an opportunity to ponder: the glazing contractors who step up as design partners early—not just executors—are the ones winning more complex, higher-value projects.

The face of glass industry leadership is changing. The topic of business management transitions took center stage at BEC 2026, and this episode spotlights two sessions. First, Brin Glass President and CEO Priscilla Koeckeritz talked about tackling leadership change by focusing on people, culture, and the new ways of doing things. Then, hear a panel of new generation family business leaders talk through the experience of taking the reins at their family glazing businesses.

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Thank you TSS Glass Machinery Sales Inc. for sponsoring this episode of Glass Cast!

Learn more about GFAB & Register: https://www.glass.org/GFAB

Cliff Green, president and founder of TSS Glass Machinery Sales Inc., joins NGA Chief Content Officer Katy Devlin to explore how smart factory technology is transforming glass fabrication. From automated cutting and sorting systems to real-time production tracking, Cliff draws on more than 35 years of hands-on industry experience to explain what a smart factory actually looks like, why the U.S. market is ready for it now, and how fabricators can start adopting these solutions, one process at a time. Recorded as part of the NGA Glass Fabricator (GFAB) Conference in Chicago, June 14–17.

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NGA Website: https://www.glass.org/

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NGA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-glass-association/

NGA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalGlassAssociation/

NGA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalglassassociation/

GlassBuild Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glassbuild

GlassBuild Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassbuildamerica/

In this episode, Glass Cast’s Katy Devlin sits down with Barbara Haaksma, chief marketing officer of Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, parent of CRL, from the stage at BEC Conference, the Building Envelope Contractors Conference, in Louisville. They discuss Barbara’s history in glass, architecture and design, the key trends in glass, and what’s coming from OBE and CRL. This episode is sponsored by OBE and CRL.

Follow Glass Cast on Spotify for more podcast episodes on the glass & glazing industry! Subscribe to NGA's YouTube Channel for more podcast episodes of Glass Cast!

Explore more from NGA and GlassBuild America. NGA Website: https://www.glass.org/GlassBuild America Website: https://www.glassbuildamerica.com/View below for NGA social medias, more content, and information.NGA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-glass-association/NGA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalGlassAssociation/NGA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalglassassociation/GlassBuild Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glassbuildGlassBuild Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassbuildamerica/

Join Chief Content Officer Katy Devlin and NGA Consultant Max Perilstein for an insider's preview of the 2026 Building Envelope Contractors Conference (BEC Conference), heading to Louisville, Kentucky for the first time on March 1-3. Thanks to BEC Conference media sponsor Vitro Architectural Glass. Register for the conference at https://www.glass.org/bec-conference-2026 This episode unpacks the can't-miss programming designed to address the industry's biggest challenges: workforce development, market intelligence, and technology adoption. Discover keynote presentations from Joshua Johnson on accessing the second-chance workforce, Priscilla Koeckeritz on successful leadership transitions, and Sarah Martin from Dodge Construction Network delivering critical market insights. Learn about the New Gen Panel featuring emerging industry leaders, essential energy code updates, and the new tactical Tuesday sessions covering AI integration and pre-construction profits. Whether you're navigating succession planning at your family business, trying to understand where the market is headed, or looking to incorporate new technologies into your operations, this preview reveals why BEC Conference remains the premier spring conference for glass and glazing professionals. Plus, get the inside scoop on why Louisville is the perfect destination for this quick-hitting, networking-intensive event that brings together 600-700 industry professionals for two days of education and connection.Subscribe to NGA's YouTube Channel for more podcast episodes of Glass Cast and Window Cast.

Explore more from NGA and GlassBuild America. NGA Website: https://www.glass.org/View below for NGA social medias, more content, and information. GlassBuild America Website: https://www.glassbuildamerica.com/GlassBuild America Channel: @GlassBuildAmericaListen or watch on Spotify!Window Cast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2y7jqDM...Glass Cast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3W7kyCY...Listen on Apple Podcasts!Window Cast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Glass Cast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Kristin Thomas, Vice President of Operations at Tab Glass and Window explores how workplace values and expectations are evolving—are flexibility and empathy reshaping what commitment looks like? This conversation dives into leadership, boundaries, and the balance between kindness and accountability in today’s work culture. With Melanie Dettmer, Industry Engagement Manager, and Sara Neiswanger, Director of Industry Engagement.Subscribe to NGA's YouTube Channel for more podcast episodes of Glass Cast and Window Cast.Explore more from NGA and GlassBuild America. NGA Website: https://www.glass.org/View below for NGA social medias, more content, and information. GlassBuild America Website: https://www.glassbuildamerica.com/GlassBuild America Channel: @GlassBuildAmericaListen or watch on Spotify!Window Cast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2y7jqDM...Glass Cast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3W7kyCY...Listen on Apple Podcasts!Window Cast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Glass Cast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

General Glass International celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2025, which also aligned with Glass Magazine's own 75th anniversary. GGI's VP of Business Development Stephen Balik and Director of Business Development Spencer Raymond discuss how GGI has managed to successfully stay in business for so long, as well as challenges and triumphs the company has faced throughout more than a century.Subscribe to NGA's YouTube Channel for more podcast episodes of Glass Cast and Window Cast.

Explore more from NGA and GlassBuild America. NGA Website: https://www.glass.org/View below for NGA social medias, more content, and information. GlassBuild America Website: https://www.glassbuildamerica.com/GlassBuild America Channel: @GlassBuildAmericaListen or watch on Spotify!Window Cast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2y7jqDM...Glass Cast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3W7kyCY...Listen on Apple Podcasts!Window Cast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Glass Cast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...