New ClearVue US boss to boost smart glass supply

ClearVue Technologies appears hellbent on boosting its smart glass manufacturing capability after the company’s newly-appointed North American boss Charles (Chuck) Mowrey pinpointed a United States supply deficit as his major focus.

Mowrey’s plans for the West Perth-based company will be fuelled by new manufacturing and distribution agreements signed in recent months in the US, Singapore, South Africa and Australia for its window technology that reduces both energy use and costs, while enhancing thermal comforts for occupants of buildings where they are installed.

Mowrey told Bulls N’ Bears this morning that while he planned to maintain a global market awareness for ClearVue, he intends to focus on building the massive North American business. He would concentrate immediately on growing the company’s manufacturing capacity to meet what he said was a strongly-anticipated demand.

ClearVue is potentially looking at a global market involving billions of square metres of window glazing being installed in new constructions, while the retrofit market is also likely to be vast. The company could also amplify its reach into the market through the construction of photovoltaic (PV) spandrels and building facades.

Management kickstarted its commercial campaign in Australia in January after taking an order to provide a solar windows façade for union heavyweight CFMEU’s new Training and Wellness Centre in Melbourne.

But it is also estimated that the US alone that about US$120 billion ($AU182 billion) worth of window glass is installed annually. And those numbers are expected to increase, with the likelihood of future “green” legislation to mandate solar PV glazing units as standard fitment in all new buildings.

Mowrey takes on the role of president and chief executive officer (North America) after serving as a non-executive director at ClearVue since May 1 last year. His 35 years at executive and leadership levels included founding 8G Solutions, a US-based façade manufacturing and installation company with operations in Denver, Kansas City and Phoenix.

While president and chief executive officer at Harmon, a US-based company specialising in managing building façade projects, he oversaw that company’s revenue growth from US$87 million (AU$132 million) to more than US$300 million ($AU458 million).

The company describes him as one of the most influential figures in the US glazing industry. He will work under global boss Martin Deil, who stepped into the head role in May last year.

Chuck always refers to the day we crossed paths as of one of the most significant days of his life, when he saw what ClearVue means for the future of the glazing industry, and he’s shown unwavering enthusiasm ever since. Chuck’s invaluable contributions and infectious energy over the past year have been instrumental, and we anticipate even greater achievements from him in the future.

Deil said that with the North American market being key to the company’s growth strategy, Mowrey would be charged with leveraging his considerable experience and contacts to accelerate the commercialisation of ClearVue’s technology and market entry for its products.

Mowrey recently said glazing design for modern building had significantly changed since the energy crisis of the 1970s. Back then, the emphasis was on stopping heat gain in buildings at all costs, leading to heavy tinting and reflective coatings.

But it reached a stage where neither method could be further advanced without losing the ability to see through the glass.

In the 1980s up until about 2010, the emphasis shifted to letting in light, but keeping heat out. In the period to 2020, light transmission was almost given up, with more tinting and a drastic reduction in window areas.

The current era now emphasises retaining light transmission and a clear view, while preventing heat transmission. That lends towards the double-glazing windows that can also generate power – which sits right in ClearVue’s wheelhouse.

The company’s glazing can provide enough power to drive powered blinds and features dynamic tinting capable of controlling heat transmission. It can also offset other power demands of a building such as air-conditioning, lighting and security systems.

The power-generating glazing units have been developed to be manufactured on existing production lines, allowing seamless access to existing manufacturers. Additionally, the company’s rapidly-developing power-generating facades and structural spandrels mean that almost the entire outer surfaces of modern buildings, especially high-rise, can be clad in one of at least three technologies with solar PV.

ClearVue’s products would seem to be applicable for a growing market in nearly every part of the globe, as glass heat and light transmissivity can both be tweaked to tailor particular products to certain climates – even down to the level of the selected site location or a building’s facing direction.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@wanews.com.au