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Canada’s Glass Associations: June 2022

AVFQ
The AVFQ takes the representation and defence of its members to heart. Under the theme “The future is now,” the AVFQ’s annual conference presented more than a dozen workshops and conferences on April 21 and 22 at the magnificent Chateau Frontenac in Quebec. A record number of attendees of 250 people this year! The Prix Lumieres Gala was back to reward the most beautiful projects in the industry. It was also the occasion to launch the AVFQ’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

On May 11, the AVFQ launched the revised version of the Curtain Wall Guide to its members but also to architects in Quebec. Three hundred people attended this event. Curtainwall is one of the most effective and popular facings for commercial buildings and residential towers. However, building design specialists have little involvement in the design, the manufacturing and installation of a curtainwall system. The AVFQ and the Quebec Building Envelope Council (CEBQ) have developed a practical and up-to-date tool aimed at providing basic information to architects, engineers, technologists, manufacturers and installers of curtainwall about this construction system with remarkable properties. We have taken advantage of the image change to make several important changes to the guide.

We have removed the reference to the year of publication of the various standards and codes. The guide will always refer to the latest version of a standard or code.

In addition to esthetic and property changes, the AVFQ embarked on a vast project a few years ago, that of raising the level of quality. The AVFQ and its members are concerned about the quality of work. To carry out this project, the idea came out to create technical bulletins. These bulletins will be useful both to the workers in the execution of their work, to the designers in the creation of their details and finally will also be useful to the site supervisors in their site visits. Two technical bulletins are now available on the website: “New Curtainwall Energy Efficiency Requirements” and “Principles of Curtainwall Assembly.”

Also remember that the AVFQ is organizing a one-week trade mission to Germany in French from July 9 to 17. During this trade mission, participants will visit plants in Germany and attend the world-leading trade show for doors and facades:  Fensterbau Frontale.

AGMCA
From time to time the AGMCA uses this space to highlight its volunteer directors or its member companies. This month we salute Joe Buck, founder of Merit Glass.

Joe broke into our industry in 1967 with PPG Guelph (at that time known as CPI). He learned the basics of the glass business while working on the order desk. PPG decided Joe was a natural for sales, and enrolled him in their sales training course. In 1969, Joe was given his first sales territory in Vancouver, where he excelled. In 1974, Joe was transferred to PPG Kitchener.

The early ‘80s were a tough period in our industry, and PPG made the decision to start closing some of their regional centres. When they decided to close their Kitchener operation, Joe landed back where he started at PPG Guelph, where he was contract manager.

A turning point for Joe came in 1983. When PPG announced they were closing their Guelph branch, Joe took a chance and bought the location. It was there, in a 3,000-square-foot shop that Joe founded Merit Glass, with a staff of four people: one journeyman, one helper, one in the office and a glass cutter/warehouse person.

Through hard work and determination in those early years, Joe quickly built a customer base that realized he was honest and reliable. Business was growing and Joe soon realized he would need more space. In 1985, he built a new 6,000-square-foot shop in Guelph, where they would stay until 2004, when Joe decided to branch out into pre-glazed curtainwall. When a 25,000-square-foot facility became available at 61 Arrow Road in Guelph, Joe once again took a chance and purchased it.

Merit Glass became a member company of the AGMCA in 1992, and in 1995 Joe was elected to our board of directors, where he still volunteers his time to the betterment of the industry he loves. Joe provides invaluable input to all matters regarding apprenticeship and training, and still sits on the Ontario Glazier Apprentice Training Committee. He also sits on our Local Apprentice Committee that monitors the progress of the apprentices and ensures they complete their training.

In 2008, after 41 years in the glass business, Joe decided to retire. To this day, he still credits the training and experience gained with PPG as giving him a solid foundation and states that he owes everything to the dedication of his employees, and the loyalty of his customers. Joe can be reached at jbuck642@gmail.com.

Finally, we’d like to point to some notable initatives that AGMCA members are involved with to promote and advance the glazier trade in Ontario. The YWCA Toronto partnered with the Finishing Trades Institute (FTI), the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades to introduce a new training program for women and gender diverse people in trades and technology. The Architectural Glass and Metal Technician (glazier) Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program began on May 9 and will train future glaziers over the span of 15 weeks through a mix of online and in-person classes, projects and seminars. The program ends with a 12-week work placement that starts in August.

OGMA
Our deepest condolences to the Fulton family on the passing of their patriarch, Fredrick Joseph Fulton, who passed peacefully at home May 16 at the age of 89.  Fred Sr. was a true gentleman and innovator in the glass and metal industry who founded Sealite Glass, Fulton Industries and was a major contributor to national  quality standards (IGMAC) and industry organizations.  Fred received the prestigious OGMA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.  Fred Sr. was a man of many talents outside of work who enjoyed golf, playing the piano, singing, and who always enjoyed the company of his many friends.  A true family man, Fred is survived by his wife Linda Taras-Fulton, his five sons Frank, Jim, Fred Jr., Bob, and John, and his only daughter, Cecilia. •