As has been the case almost all this year, the news just keeps coming and today there is something for everyone. As you might know, our company publishes a number of magazines concerning glass and we have a breaking story in almost every one. So here’s my take on a few of them:

1. 1. To Thine Own Self be Trulite (USGlass magazine)—Sun Capital announced the highly anticipated new name for the trinity of  Arch-UGC-ACI Products (Vitro America’s new name). Which name emerged victorious? None of the above. The company’s new name is Trulite, which is actually an old name that Arch Aluminum acquired when it purchased a company of that very name in 2007. Trulite had an excellent reputation and seems a good choice, although the retirement of the Arch name brings some sadness as well and some frustration for long-timers at all three companies.
2. 12(00) Angry Men (DWM magazine)—I had the privilege of spending a fair amount of time last week talking to window dealers and remodelers in a variety of settings. The consistent theme that emerged was one of anger and extreme frustration. Most seemed extremely unhappy with our government on two fronts. The lead paint regulations have led to frustration because they have raised the cost of doing work for reputable companies and are not accomplishing what they are supposed to. “I am all for the goal of  removing lead,” one contractor told me. “But when I got to bid a job and the homeowner tells me I’m his third bid, and that the first one said nothing about lead paint issues, and that the second one told the homeowners to ‘just take the windows out yourself’ and we will to the rest, I really wonder how I can complete ethically. The government, however well-intentioned, is making the problem worse.” The end of the tax credits, without any renewal in sight, is also frustrating to window contractors. “It’s the yin-yang,” said another. “They are in the areas they shouldn’t be and not in the areas they should.”
3. (All) State of Confusion (AGRR Magazine)—One of the country’s largest provider of auto insurance has decided to have Safelite Solutions administer its claims. Allstate is moving its claims administration function from LYNX Services, which is owned by PGW (the former PPG Auto Glass) to Safelite effective January 2, 2012. This is anything but just an administrative move for thousand of independent auto glass shops. In general, many shops liked dealing with a true third party administrator much better than one that also owns a company that competes with them for installation. How much of an effect won’t be seen to January.

So if today’s blog was a song, it would be one of the best rallying cries from one of my favorite musicals Les Miserables. Do you hear the people sing,  singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people, who will not be slaves again.
When the beating of your heart, echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start, when tomorrow comes.

 It will certainly be interesting to see if any of today’s leading headlines lead to revolution in their respective industries.