This update on the fabricating debris crisis comes with big news that few in the window cleaning industry would ever have expected and some never wanted to hear. The developments began unfolding this summer with a personal opinion magazine column by Paul West, president of the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA), calling for a better relationship with the Glass Association of North America (GANA). Shocking for those who have long perceived GANA as the window cleaners’ enemy because it fails to admit that some of its fabricator members produce poor quality tempered glass subject to getting scratched during the window cleaning process and blames the window cleaner for causing the damage.

Remember its April 2002 bulletin Heat-Treated Glass Surfaces Are Different? While recognizing that microscopic particles (commonly called fabricating debris) can adhere to glass during the tempering process, the bulletin warns that “irreparable damage” could result if it’s cleaned using scrapers, the common tool of the trade. It is GANA’s stand and IWCA’s opposing position supporting the use of scrapers that makes some uneasy about opening up any dialogue with an association providing cover for fabricators whose poor quality glass has caused hundreds of window cleaners to be held liable for scratched glass. As a result, they’ve been forced to either eat thousands of dollars in glass replacement costs or have been sued into oblivion. Showing no signs of going away anytime soon, this dilemma facing the window cleaning industry is a never ending story as detailed in yet another case spelled out later in this article.... 

Let's face it: times are tough. OK – that's not news – but neither is it the whole picture. Have you had it with gloom and doom reports about the economy? How is anyone in business supposed to plan ahead with today's cloudy financial situation? It's a bit like trying to look at the landscape through a dirty window. In this election year, both political parties have had a field day blaming the other for the country's economic woes. Both have promised solutions. Right around the time you read this, we'll all find out who'll be elected. Exactly what that will mean for the economy will have to unfold over the months and years to come.

Meanwhile, here are a few facts to help you sort through the maze. There are no simple answers, but you may find some direction and encouragement in charting a path best suited to your own business plan for 2009.

Today’s uneven and uncertain economic climate may lend itself to an increase in mergers between window cleaning businesses. Admittedly, most small window cleaning operations and businesses tend to grow "organically" by slowly adding customers, employees, new services, equipment, and the like. Others prefer to grow by merging with or acquiring another firm –- or by being acquired.

Many small window cleaning business owners/operators consider mergers to be an excellent way to cut overhead costs, increase efficiency or battle a larger competitor. Frequently, a merger or acquisition is nothing more than a profitable, better-managed business being able to get more from the assets of an underperforming business than was possible under its current ownership.