The Cutting Edge Installs Pod is a podcast where innovation meets installation —and everything in between!
Merv Campbell, General Manager of Omni Cubed, interviews and highlights the experts and craftsmen in the industry.
Why Great Glaziers Are Hard To Find (And What Shops Get Wrong) | Ty Clem | Cutting Edge Install Ep32
Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed — where innovation meets installation and everything in between.
In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Ty Clem of Window Outfitters to discuss the realities of commercial glazing, the challenges facing the skilled trades, and what it takes to manage successful glass installation projects.
A third-generation glazier, Ty worked his way from the field into managing large crews across multiple states. He shares how his experience has shaped his approach to leadership, training installers, solving jobsite problems, and building teams that get the job done right.
Merv and Ty also tackle some of the industry's biggest challenges, including the shortage of skilled workers, the importance of competitive wages, and the growing disconnect between general contractors, manufacturers, and installation crews.
In this episode, you'll hear them discuss:
What it takes to manage commercial glazing projects across multiple states
Why the glazing industry struggles to attract younger workers
The importance of competitive wages and clear career opportunities
How mentorship and work ethic shape successful installers
Common jobsite problems involving waterproofing, measurements, and scheduling
Why communication between contractors and installers matters
How better fabrication and labeling can improve installation efficiency
The importance of quality workmanship over the lowest bid
Why customer service and accountability build lasting relationships
What needs to change to strengthen the future of the glazing industry
From managing large crews to navigating difficult contractors and preparing the next generation of glaziers, this episode offers a practical look at the challenges and opportunities facing commercial glass installation.
Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/
8 Oct 2026
What Makes a Great Stone Installer: Lessons From 32 Years In The Industry | Cutting Edge Install Ep. 31
Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed — where innovation meets installation and everything in between.
In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Chad Nelson, a tile and stone professional with more than 30 years in the trade, to talk about the lessons that only come from decades of doing the work.
Chad got his start at 19 years old and has spent the years since learning what it takes to build a reputation, take care of customers, lead a crew, and keep a stone installation business moving forward. Even after 32 years, one lesson remains the same: there's always more to learn. Merv and Chad dig into the importance of communication with homeowners, building a crew that works together, training the next generation, and learning when to step back as an owner and trust your people.
They also get into one of the biggest realities of stone installation: safety. Chad shares how the right equipment has changed the way his crew handles difficult installations, including large-format porcelain slabs, and why investing in good tools isn't just about making a job easier — it's about protecting your people, your material, and your business.
In this episode, you'll hear them discuss:
Lessons from more than 30 years in tile and stone
Building trust and communicating with homeowners • What separates a great installation crew from an average one
Training employees to take initiative
Labor shortages and bringing younger people into the trades
Why hard work still matters
How installation tools have changed the industry
Protecting installers when handling large-format slabs
Why safety should come before simply getting the job done
Balancing quality, profitability, and taking care of your crew
Avoiding burnout as a business owner
Building relationships with other contractors instead of treating everyone as competition
Creating a reputation built on integrity and keeping your word
From old-school installation methods to modern tools and safer ways of working, this episode is an honest look at how the stone industry has changed, and the lessons that haven't.
Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/
23 Sept 2026
The Lessons That Built a 30-Person Glass Company | Sean Westmoreland | Cutting Edge Install Ep. 30
Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed — where innovation meets installation and everything in between.
In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Sean Westmoreland of Dixie Glass for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, communication, and the future of the glazing industry.
Sean is a third-generation glazier who grew up around the glass shop and learned the trade the old-fashioned way: through hands-on experience, mentorship, and plenty of hard lessons. Today, Dixie Glass has grown to more than 30 employees across multiple locations, but the journey to get there has been anything but simple.
Sean shares how unexpected personal and business challenges forced him to step into leadership before he felt ready, and how those experiences changed the way he manages people, communicates with his team, and approaches growth. He talks openly about mistakes he's made as a leader and why learning how to communicate effectively became one of the most important lessons of his career.
Merv and Sean also dive into the future of glazing, including how AI could transform estimating, drafting, and other parts of the business while making skilled tradespeople even more valuable. Sean believes the trades are positioned for major growth. But only if companies invest in training, professionalism, wages, and the next generation of workers.
In this episode, you'll hear them discuss:
Growing up as a third-generation glazier
Learning the trade through hands-on experience and mentorship
How difficult experiences shaped Sean's leadership style
Why communication is one of the most important skills a business owner can develop
The importance of continually learning and improving as a leader
How AI could change estimating, drafting, and glazing operations
Why skilled trades could become more valuable over the next decade
The importance of patience for young people entering the trades
Why the glazing industry needs better training and education
How professionalism can elevate the perception of the entire trade
Why mentors and industry relationships matter
Building a company culture that takes care of its people
The legacy Sean hopes Dixie Glass leaves on the glazing industry
From leadership and mentorship to technology and the future of skilled labor, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build a strong company and help move an entire trade forward.
Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/
Learn more about Dixie Glass: https://dixieglass.com/
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Host of Cutting Edge Installs?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
