Glass Manufacturer Sees the Light—and Adds Services
Newly launched Hot Rush Glass installs custom glass in a flash
For nearly three quarters of a century, the J.C. Moag Corporation has dutifully produced glass building and design materials, knowing full well that the actual installation was in the hands of other workers whose skills and timeframes were unknown. That changed in 2018 when a third-generation family member, Cameron Moag, decided to start a subsidiary company to do the glazing, or glass installation work, as well.
Why break from the past—Cameron asked himself—when you can expand upon it instead?
Thus was born Hot Rush Glass, making the entire Moag operation a one-stop, factory-direct shop for all glass production and glazing needs in the Indiana/Kentucky region.
“Glass comes right off the production line and goes onto our van for install,” Cameron says. “Our company was born out of a need to complete glass installations within days after tile and marble are completed, not weeks.”
Cameron oversees the new company based in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which is situated next to J.C. Moag’s headquarters facility. Well-known in the construction materials industry, J.C. Moag actually began as a manufacturer of retail store fixtures, but slowly switched to making only glass products and, eventually, just glass products for construction purposes. Today, the company turns out hundreds of custom-made walls, storefronts, partitions, railings, shower enclosures, mirrors and even artistic glass elements for interior design.
Reflections
Cameron was given the middle name of his beloved grandfather and patriarch of the parent company, James Cameron Moag. The eight employees affectionally differentiate one Moag from the other by joining Cameron in referring to the founder as “Grandpa.”
Cameron followed in the steps of both his grandfather and his father, John T. Moag. He joined the company right out of high school, first hired by his father.
“With the addition of Hot Rush Glass, J.C. Moag is able to beat any other glass and glazing installer on price and turnaround time,” says Alex Acevedo, head of operations.
Another compelling reason to start Hot Rush Glass was Cameron’s perception that the market needed more and better glass installers. “We wanted only the best to install J.C. Moag’s custom glass—and so we hired the installers and got to work,” he says.
Taking out the middleman has clear advantages for developers, contractors and owners. Because it is also the manufacturer, Hot Rush Glass is able to offer the most competitive pricing and fastest turnaround times.
“Normally, glass manufacturers never get to see where the glass is installed; we want ours to see…and know…so as to drive up quality of the finished work,” Cameron says. Being both the manufacturer and the installer helps to ensure a more perfect conclusion to a process that begins with careful, precise measurement and design specifications.
The only thought for Cameron one year after branching out into glass installation? “Why didn’t I do this earlier?” he says.
Clear Direction
The origin of the unique company name came from industry jargon. “In this industry, everyone wants it fast,” Acevedo says. “They often say something is a ‘hot-rush order.’ Since we can make and install glass more quickly than our competitors, generally five to seven days faster, we settled on Hot Rush Glass.”
Indeed, some common stories shared among employees recall times when glass that was being fitted into place on a construction site was still warm to the touch, he says.
Cameron believes bridging the gap between manufacturing and installation processes has two other advantages: realistic planning and pride of craftsmanship. He says J.C. Moag employees have come to see that great work is more than just making the glass product and getting it out the door. “We have employees who work on both sides of the installation process,” Cameron explains. “They assist in the fabrication and manufacturing of glass, and then have the opportunity to go into the field to be part of the installation team. Not often do folks get to see the final result of their hard work from start to finish.”
Cameron points to lead installer, Ray Portman, as one of the most inspiring team members. “Each project for him is as important as the last. He goes into the customer’s home or business with the expectation that the finished product will have a level of quality he would expect in his own home or office. He also strives to leave no trace that he was even there—no marks on the walls, no dirt on the floor, etc. That amount of care shows a great deal of pride in his work,” Cameron says.
Vantage Point
Business has been good for Hot Rush Glass, which serves general contractors, architects, homeowners, small construction companies doing renovations, and others. According to Cameron, “J.C. Moag created its own best customer in starting Hot Rush Glass.” And now the fledgling company is making satisfied customers of its own. One repeat client is BathroomsIn1Week, a Kentucky-based company that aims to build or renovate bathrooms in the span of a single week.
Recently, Hot Rush Glass installed an all-glass interior (except for floors and ceilings) in a four-story office building in Fishers, Indiana, owned by American Structurepoint. The project called for 80,000 pounds of glass that measured 7,000 square feet once completed. The team has completed several other noteworthy installs. One features three flights of seemingly floating stairways with extensive glass railings—the result of work performed for the AP Business Park. The new Class A office building called The Gallery Building in Jeffersonville, Indiana, required a redesign since the original result did not meet the developer’s expectations, Cameron says.
“We went in and hung the entire glass design. We worked with the architect, redid the drawings and delivered and installed the glass 10 weeks later,” he adds.
Cameron has already envisioned the future. One year into its new adventure, Hot Rush Glass has the opportunity to expand. With J.C. Moag relocating to a new facility about a half-hour away in Lanesville, Indiana, Hot Rush Glass will either join the parent company there or will stay in Jeffersonville and expand operations because of Moag’s move.
Just as architectural glass takes special care and then gets special attention by building occupants when used in construction, Cameron Moag has taken great care to launch and run Hot Rush Glass in such a way that its quality manufacturing and timely installation is sure to get noticed well into the future.