Pallet Profile

Article Directory

State of the Industry – Part III Is Your Company Safe? – Substance Abuse and IT Security - May 22, 2020
From missed time to impaired skills or even violent actions, substance abuse can lead to all sorts of problems. In addition, another hazard that is frequently low on the priority list but could cause significant disruption are information technology (IT) security threats.; Virginia Tech Researchers Conduct Analysis of Plastic Pallet Sector: They have looked at material properties, design characteristics, recycled content, fire retardancy, strength reinforcement and more.; News in Brief; The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced final regulations to give truck drivers flexibility in limits on their driving hours. The U.S. Industrial Pellet Association is hailing an order from the European Court of Justice dismissing a case against wood biomass.The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has issued guidance for logistics and warehouse facilities to avoid the spread of COVID-19.; Early bird registration is open for this year’s National Hardwood Lumber Association annual convention. more...
Tags:

Fire Safety – Managing Risk Is Key - May 22, 2020
Most pallet companies are facing skyrocketing insurance rates. Many are struggling to even find insurance providers willing to cover their operations.; Kamps Inc. Expands into Georgia Market with Key Atlanta Acquisitions: Green Trip Recycling has been in business since 2013, providing companies large and small in the Atlanta area with recycled pallets.; Virginia Tech Researcher Indicates Most Plastics Pallets Are Produced from Virgin Material: An analysis of the plastic pallet sector looked at material properties, design characteristics, recycled content, fire retardancy, strength reinforcement and more.; more...
Tags:

State of the Industry – Part II: Risk Is the Name of the Game - May 15, 2020
COVID-19 has probably brought liability and risk concerns to the forefront. These are the issues that nobody wants to talk about. Risk management is among the most mundane activities you can handle in business. But doing risk management and insurance right can lead to a better night’s sleep too.; Kamps Inc. Expands into Georgia Market with Key Atlanta Acquisitions: The company recently bought Green Trip Recycling of Atlanta, Georgia. which has been in business since 2013, providing companies large and small in the Atlanta area with recycled pallets, new custom pallets and wooden shipping crates.; Pandemic Led to Roller Coaster Freight Demand: Compared to last year, volumes were down 22.7%.; News in Brief: More than 88,000 truck drivers lost their jobs in April. OSHA has released a new video and poster for employers and workers on how to properly wear and remove a respirator mask. The Virginia Tech SHARP Logger program will host two webinars to end the month of May, starting today at 1:00pm.; The 2019-20 heating season in the United States was a good one for the wood fuel industry. more...
Tags:

Provincial Government Delays Stumpage Fees, U.S. Softwood Lumber Producers Balk - May 8, 2020
U.S. lumber producers have announced their concern over measures that could further give competitive benefits to Canadian mills.; NHLA Unveils FREE Kiln Drying Webinars: Gene Wengert, the “Wood Doctor” will host a two-hour webinar on different topics related to proper kiln drying techniques for four weeks.; News in Brief: A likely global recession through this year and into next year will reduce demand for pallets and railway ties as a result of declining demand for consumer goods. The Railway Tie Association has named Ashley Goodwin as its new executive director. A fire at a pallet company in City of Industry that left one person dead. more...
Tags:

OSHA’s Response to COVID-19 and Its Effect on Manufacturing Facilities - May 1, 2020
These new guidelines are meant to cover primarily training, testing, evaluation, certification and other paperwork that may be difficult to complete as companies are fully or partially shutdown.; News in Brief: Lockdowns across the country have begun to decrease the number of available trucking jobs. The USDA Forest Service is offering to extend contract deadlines on certain timber sales issued before April 1, 2020. more...
Tags:

Pallet Companies Share Employee Care Practices During Pandemic Crisis - Apr 26, 2020
Most pallet companies have never stopped working during the COVID-19 pandemic because what they do is essential to keep goods moving through the supply chain.; Brambles Sales Up 6%, Responds to COVID-19 Surge Despite Higher Costs: One company that has been at the center of the fast-moving consumer goods supply during the pandemic is the CHEP pallet rental business.; Coronavirus Postpones EXPO Richmond: The COVID-19 outbreak has led public officials to limit large gatherings and EXPO Richmond has been reschedule for October 9-10, 2020.; Kamps Inc Acquires D&H Bark to Enhance Michigan Capabilities: Adding a new location will allow Kamps to better serve its existing customers in Michigan, grow the customer base, and produce bark and mulch at a higher volume.; more...
Tags:

Pallet Companies Share Employee Care Practices During Pandemic - Apr 24, 2020
Most pallet companies have never stopped working during the COVID-19 pandemic because what they do is essential to keep goods moving through the supply chain.; The House of Representatives Is Set to Approve More PPP Funding: Companies that have already applied and did not receive initial funding should be first in the queue for the second round of PPP money. more...
Tags:

Home Construction Market Update – Housing Starts Plummet in March Amidst Coronavirus Shutdowns - Apr 17, 2020
This sudden drop follows an upward trend as the housing sector had continued to gain significant momentum in 2019. When compared to March 2019 numbers, housing starts are still up 1.4% despite all the COVID-19 impacts.; Details Matter With PPP: For starters, there is no guarantee the loans will be forgiven. You have to submit an application to your lender. Fill out the paperwork wrong, and you may get a big “Rejection” notice even if your company suffers hardships due to COVID-19, and you retain workers.; NEWS IN BRIEF: The European Pallet Association (EPAL) has developed its CP pallet, a design based on the technical needs of the chemical industry. Researchers have discovered that two eastern softwoods have the structural stability to be used in cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction. NC State’s Lumber Drying Mini-Course goes online. J.D. Irving has re-opened a sawmill that was temporarily closed in Nova Scotia due to workers testing positive for COVID-19. more...
Tags:

COVID-19 Hodgepodge - Apr 10, 2020
Pallet and lumber companies need to plan and strategize to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic. Some pallet companies are super busy while others are seeing significant reductions in volumes. You have to do what you can to keep cash coming in.; Kamps Inc Acquires D&H Bark to Enhance Michigan Capabilities: The acquisition comes at an optimal time as the company looks to build upon national success and growth of their pallet and recycling divisions.; Federal Officials Offer Respirator Mask Guidance: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a major shortage in N95 respirator masks. OSHA issued new guidance allowing for re-use of masks as well as the use of expired masks and other protective alternatives. News In Brief: The Department of Labor just published OSHA’s new workplace poster—in English and Spanish—for reducing worker risk to the coronavirus. Access the Pallet Enterprise LinkedIn Group to keep up with the latest coronavirus developments. https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8133689/ more...
Tags:

Tale of Two Numbers – Employment Challenge and Paycheck Protection Program Overview - Apr 3, 2020
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act relief bill passed by Congress aimed at helping the United States overcome the coronavirus pandemic. Part of this package contains loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). These loans have much better terms than other SBA programs and can be forgiven without repayment if certain rules are followed.; Pallets Are Part of the Cure!: Our staff is working on an article for the May issue of Pallet Enterprise that celebrates how pallets are a critical part of the COVID-19 response. Please send any pictures or description of how your company is making a difference right now.; Brambles Receives Top Score on Global Sustainability Ranking: The parent company of CHEP, was recently recognized by the Dow Jones’ Barron’s magazine for its track record, and was recognized as the most sustainable company globally.; NEWS IN BRIEF: Employment types in the forestry industry are shifting in Montana. The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on a proposed rule change. Profile Regional Lumber Trends: Second Quarter average hardwood lumber price graphs over the past year are included this week. more...
Tags: