National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA)

The latest issue of PalletCentral® - the Associate Members Buyer's Guide edition - is hitting mailboxes in the coming week! A huge thank you to our associate members who supply the essential materials and services the industry needs to thrive. Check them out inside, and dive into this edition and share it with your colleagues. http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1523117-july-august-2024/0?

Top Stories Inside: Associate Member Buyer's Guide (machinery, suppliers, service providers, trucking, raw materials, etc.); Leveraging WIOA Grant Opportunities to Overcome Workforce Challenges in the Pallet Manufacturing Industry; Policy at Play - Wood Innovation Grant Program; OSHA Revisions to HazCom Standard Impose New Requirements; and more!
Stay informed and ahead in the industry.

The NWPCA is thrilled to welcome Abby Basse as Membership Services/Associate Office Manager. Abby brings enthusiasm to the team, with several years of experience in change management, business development, data analysis/management, and quality control. She also uses her psychology degree from James Madison University to design and implement effective change management, training and development, and quality improvement initiatives. Her background and expertise make her a perfect fit for NWPCA. Join us in welcoming Abby to the NWPCA Team!

A huge thank you to all our dedicated members who participated in this year's Congressional Fly-In! Your commitment to advocating for the wooden pallet industry is truly inspiring.

As we gathered on the steps of the Capitol, ready to walk the halls of Congress, we were reminded of the power of unity and our collective voice. Your voices are vital in shaping the policies that affect our industry, and your passion helps ensure a thriving future for wooden pallets and packaging. We appreciate your time, effort, and dedication.

Stay tuned for more updates and highlights!

While in town for the our Washington FlyIn, our members had a great time attending the Congressional Baseball Game! Although the Republicans crushed the Democrats (31-11), we enjoyed the friendly competition while supporting a great cause. The proceeds from the game will benefit the Boys and Girls Club, making a positive impact on the lives of many young people. Events like these remind us of the importance of community, fun, and giving back. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Announcing release of the latest edition of PalletCentral for May-June!

This edition is packed with insightful feature stories covering the cutting-edge advancements in automation and robotics for wooden pallet manufacturing. Discover how industry leaders are embracing lean manufacturing principles to optimize efficiency and sustainability. Plus, dive into OSHA's comprehensive guide on prioritizing safety no matter the weather conditions.

Check out the digital version now for all the latest trends, strategies, and best practices.
http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1519794-may-june-2024/0?

We're thrilled to announce the 2024 NWPCA Fly-In, happening June 12-13, 2024, in Washington D.C.! This is your chance to influence the trajectory of our industry and champion the crucial role wooden pallets play in fostering a sustainable supply chain.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to:
- Make your voice heard on Capitol Hill
- Shape the future of the wooden pallet industry
- Work towards solutions benefiting our entire industry

Ready to make an impact? Register now 👉 https://lnkd.in/e8_T-pBX

Exciting times at ExpoRichmond last week! We had a fantastic experience visiting our members' booths and exploring the new venue at the Meadow Event Park near Richmond, Virginia. The setup was impressive, and it was a great opportunity to connect with industry leaders and learn about the latest trends and innovations. If you participated, share a comment about your experience. What did you like most?

We’re thrilled to share that Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallets & Services, has been elected as the new NWPCA Board Chair. Congratulations to Jeff and the entire Board of Directors on this well-deserved leadership appointment. Looking forward to a productive and impactful year ahead!

Read more about the election results and board leadership here: https://www.palletcentral.com/news/668878/NWPCA-Announces-Board-of-Directors-Leadership-and-Election-Results.htm

The Pallet Foundation Golf Tournament at the Sawgrass during ALC 2024. Sold out tournament, 144 golfers, especially eager to tee-off on the iconic 17th hole.
(March 20, 2024: Jeff Westcott Photograhy)

We had a great day on the links this afternoon with some great folks. We may not have won this year's National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA) Golf Tournament at TPC Sawgrass but we had an unforgettable time trying. ⛳️

Thank you to the NWPCA for such an amazing kickoff to this year's Annual Leadership Conference!

Of these Pallet Machinery Group, Inc. gentlemen, who do you think had the longest drive of the day? 🏌🏼‍♂️

Be sure to stop by booth #309 to see what we're introducing to the pallet industry next! 🔥

What's on the agenda at ? Hear from Mark Barford of the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA) on why wooden pallets are not replaceable, how large the industry is, trends into the future, and why there is a recent strong preference towards utilizing softwoods over hardwoods.

Join us in Charleston, March 25–27. https://www.hmamembers.org/meetings/national-conference/overview/

PalletCentral March-April just released. Dive into the latest edition featuring stories on: economic trends; how are members feeling? Get their economic pulse on inventory and sales; strategic marketing; worker safety, effective advocacy in an election year, and more. Connect with industry leaders, and stay informed. http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1516243-march-april-2024

The Brazilian Association for Mechanically Processed Timber (ABIMCI) and NWPCA Forge Partnership to Increase Cooperation, Promote Trade Opportunities, and Exclusively Market Pallet Design System Software in Brazil. Read more: https://www.palletcentral.com/news/664551/ABIMCI-and-NWPCA-Forge-Partnership-Increase-Cooperation-Promote-Trade-Opportunities-and-PDS.htm

It is with immense pride and gratitude that we share a significant milestone for our President/CEO Brent McClendon: “It has been a great privilege and honor serving on the Council of Manufacturing Associations Board of Advisors these past six years. Association’s are solving society’s most complex issues and outgoing chair Melissa Hockstad, NAM CEO Jay Timmons, and the entire board are leading the charge. Inspirational leaders lead.” Thank you

VP Public Affairs, Jason Ortega, kicked off his 2024 NWPCA member facility visits in the best possible way. It was a honor and a privilege for Jason to present at the General Meeting program for Timcon to highlight our work on behalf of the wood packaging industry. Big shout out to John Dye and the Scott Pallets team for welcoming Jason to your Burntisland facility outside Edinburgh. Pallets move the world!

The Digital edition is out! Top story on NWPCA member insights for 2024, and other forecasts for the wood packaging industry. Read it, share it, http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1514071-january-february-2024

We're about a week away from the early-bird deadline for our 2024 Annual Leadership Conference, March 20-22 Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. Over 300 already registered! Register before the early-bird offer expires. Look for exciting speaker announcements to come. https://www.palletcentral.com/nwpcaannualconference

Excited to announce the newest release for our Pallet Design System software. The release represents a milestone in the development of system-level unit load design tools. Learn more, get a free trial. https://www.palletcentral.com/news/660934/PDS-v6.8-Enhances-Customization-for-Block-Pallets-Plastic-Pail-Unit-Load-Analysis--Safety-Factor.htm

Exciting News! Registration is officially OPEN for the NWPCA 2024 Annual Leadership Conference!

Join us from March 20-22 at the Marriott Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, to network with 600+ wood packaging professionals from around the world, engage in insightful presentations and discussions, and connect with vendors and suppliers in the Exhibit Hall. Learn more and register: https://www.palletcentral.com/nwpcaannualconference

The addition of 117 new members in 2023 sets a new annual record for NWPCA and underscores the trust and confidence placed in the association. In addition to PDS, the value of networking and the welcoming community represented by other NWPCA members was one of the main reasons for joining. We are grateful for the trust all of our members place in NWPCA. Your investment fuels our mission to provide resources, foster connections, and drive innovation in the industry. Curious who is a member? You can always search our membership roster: https://lnkd.in/eG3zpPgm

We’ve seen Jason’s impact from day one and we couldn’t be prouder for the recognition of Jason from this prestigious and impactful organization. We’re proud of his contributions and leadership that advances NILE’s mission and improves the broader lobbying community.

There's still time to join the Pallet Foundation Virtual Race! Register by October 31st to be part of the action. You can log your miles anytime from October 15 through October 31!

Cheers to some racers who are having fun, and also challenging themselves: Pallet Sales & Recycling, JFR Holdings, and Tarimera el Rayo.

We're close to reaching our fitness goal of 5,000 miles and just a little shy of raising $10,000 for the Pallet Foundation. Register: https://www.palletcentral.com/virtualrace
Let's also give a big cheer to these incredible teams who are helping us inch closer to our fitness and fundraising goals: Hartman Independent Company; Pallet Sales & Recycling; PalletTrader; PRS Group; The Pallet Alliance

: We had the privilege of co-hosting an incredible Interpal conference with CWPCA in Montreal. Attendees were treated to plant tours, exhibits, engaging presentations, and countless networking opportunities. The conference was a fantastic opportunity to dive into the world of pallet manufacturing, sharing knowledge, insights, and fostering industry connections with nearly 500 attendees from 18 countries.

We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the speakers, attendees, and partners who made this event a tremendous success.

If you were a part of our Interpal conference, feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, and key takeaways in the comments below. We love to hear from you! More about Interpal, view the full photo gallery: https://www.palletcentral.com/interpal

We’re teaming up with Virginia Tech again to offer first-class training for advanced PDS users!

This course focuses on the concept of Unit Load Design- an approach that considers not just the pallet, but the interaction of the pallet with its load and load stabilizers as a system.

Ultimately, the attendee will learn how to use PDS as a Unit Load Design tool to guide decision-making and find efficiencies.

Register today: https://lnkd.in/gbt-TGMY

In honor of National Forest Products Week, let's recognize the incredible contributions of our industry!

Did you know that the wood packaging industry supports 173,000 American jobs, contributes a positive impact on our climate, and adds a staggering $31 billion to the U.S. economy annually?

Let's celebrate the synergy between healthy forests, thriving markets, and vibrant communities as we continue to make a positive impact on both our environment and the economy. https://www.palletcentral.com

Lace up your running shoes and get ready for the 4th annual virtual race for the Pallet Foundation from October 15th to the 31st. Whether you run, walk, bike, or swim, do it at your own pace from anywhere in the world—or simply cheer from the sidelines. Jump into the race anytime until Halloween!

Share this with your sales team and staff, and make it a friendly competition. Sending out best wishes to our early racers: Team Hartman Independent (8-person team), and Team Pallet Alliance (15-person team) for pledging nearly 2000 miles collectively. Get signed-up: https://www.palletcentral.com/page/virtualrace

Read the latest PalletCentral! Feature articles around our workforce, and much more inside. http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1508599-september-october-2023

Excited to announce Russ Taylor, Russ Taylor Global, will present on wood markets on October 5 during the Interpal Conference & Fall Plant Tours from October 5-6, 2023 in Montreal. We have attendees from 17 countries represented during the event, and our exhibit space is already sold out. Hurry and register; space is limited. We are 85% sold out already. Learn more: https://www.palletcentral.com/interpal