Blog

President and CEO Bill O’Keeffe shares his thoughts on topics ranging from glazing innovations, product technology, emerging design, manufacturing trends, and more.  

March 13, 2023
New “Game Changer” for Glaziers
New “Game Changer” for Glaziers When SuperClear 45-HS (hose stream) and SuperClear 45-HS-LI (hose stream, low-iron) were introduced in January 2019, we knew that it would be another SAFTI FIRST “game-changer”. Architects, glaziers and building owners no longer had to settle for unsafe wire glass or expensive, tinted filmed and laminated ceramics. One look at...
December 13, 2022
Glass Industry Takes Significant Step Towards School Safety
In August of 2022, the National Glass Association (NGA) announced the publication of a new international standard addressing school safety in the midst of rising instances of school shootings. The NGA School Security Task Group was formed in November 2021, and in less than a year, ASTM F356122: Standard Test Method for Forced-Entry-Resistance of Fenestration...
November 19, 2022
Lamination: The Future of Architectural Glass
The Glasstec show in Dusseldorf is an industry show that is near and dear to me. Over four decades ago, it was where I first discovered a technologically advanced glass capable of resisting fire, smoke and heat. Something that wired glass, the only fire rated glass available and in use in the United States, could...
May 27, 2022
Women in Manufacturing, Representation Matters
Manufacturing companies today are all experiencing difficulty in finding workers. According to a study, conducted by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, they state that as many as 2.1 million manufacturing jobs in the USA will go unfulfilled by 2030. For over 80 years, O’Keeffe’s/SAFTI FIRST has been a manufacturer of architectural building products, fire rated...
March 25, 2022
SAFTI FIRST Architectural Glass Products Bring Exciting Innovations for the Architectural Community
With many years of experience, over sixty in the architectural glazing industry, we have learned that innovation is a necessity to growth and success both for our clients and ourselves. The architectural community rewards innovation and appreciates evolving architectural advancements as this innovation allows them to introduce interesting, new, and creative projects, whether an application,...
August 30, 2021
The Future is Bright
In my last blog, I expressed my optimism for the construction industry’s road to recovery. The Architectural Billings Index is strong, and we are seeing a return to in-person tradeshows, conferences, and other industry events. While we still have some challenges along the way, particularly with supply chain interruptions, and fulfilling pent-up demand for materials,...

Recent Posts

New “Game Changer” for Glaziers
March 13, 2023
Glass Industry Takes Significant Step Towards School Safety
December 13, 2022
Lamination: The Future of Architectural Glass
November 19, 2022
Women in Manufacturing, Representation Matters
May 27, 2022
SAFTI FIRST Architectural Glass Products Bring Exciting Innovations for the Architectural Community
March 25, 2022

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