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Survey for Proposed Pallet Profile Changes, Additions - Jun 26, 2020
We want to hear from you about the proposed changes to the report. We have included a survey in this issue that you can return via fax or mail.we are looking to add 2x4 SYP, 2x6 SYP, 2x4 SPF and 2x6 SPF for five major regions (Northeast, Midwest/Great Lakes, Eastern South, Central South and Western South.); Summer Break for Pallet Profile: The Pallet Profile staff will not be published the first week of July. We are taking off for a week to celebrate the independence day holiday, break out of self-isolation and hopefully have some fun in the sun. The next publication date will be the second week in July.; SBA Announces Easier Form for PPP Loan Forgiveness: Congress recently unveiled a new form for companies seeking forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The EZ application can be used by employers that meet specific criteria. more...
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Congress Passes PPP Reforms, Provide Flexibility for Small Businesses - Jun 23, 2020
To solve concerns that there are some areas of the small business relief program that negatively impacted companies struggling to rebound after COVID-19 shutdowns, key changes to the original PPP were made.; OSHA Develops Business Re-Opening Guidelines: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed guidelines to assist employers and workers in safely returning to work and reopening businesses. This information is intended to supplement White House and other federal agency guidance. It focuses on the need for employers to develop and implement strategies for basic hygiene, social distancing, workplace controls and and employee training.; Recycle Bits: New York Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney introduced the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act of 2020. According to National Fire Protection Association standards for combustible dust, facilities using wood-based products must have a dust hazard analysis completed by early September. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) stated that its latest Driver Compensation Study shows that driver pay has climbed as rising demand for freight transportation services has increased competition. The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for wood pallets is close to being released to the industry. iGPS Logistics, the leading plastic pallet pooler in the United States, has received awards from logistics publications. more...
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Housing Going Stronger Than Expected, Plenty of Room for Improvement - Jun 19, 2020
Home purchase applications are up 21% from this time a year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. After a two-month slowdown, price gains appear to be back to the pre-crisis trend. Buyer traffic to new homes surged in June. It was still below normal levels, but the rebound is likely to encourage builders to speed up construction. In fact, that may already be happening, given the recent uptick in building permits.; NEWS IN BRIEF: The China trade deal signed earlier this year offered a glimmer of hope to the hardwood industry, but the pandemic got in the way.Two new studies point to changes in forests because of climate change. The American Loggers Council and its affiliated state logging associations are asking Congress to support proposed economic relief for loggers and log trucking companies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. more...
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Six Pallet Trends Identified by Modern Materials Handling Magazine - Jun 12, 2020
A driver for these trends is pallet user concerns due to COVID-19 as well as sustainability and other changes in the supply chain. It isn’t clear how prevalent they are, especially for white-wood pallet customers. But these are certainly things that alternative pallet suppliers are discussing with end users.; PPP Reforms Pass, Provide Flexibility for Small Businesses: The Trump administration may push another round of business aid targeted to specific industries that are still being hampered by closure restrictions. The PPP still has more than $130 billion in loan funds that are available for any company that qualifies and has not applied.; News Brief: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced two proposals that would expedite timber sales on federal land by reducing regulatory and environmental analysis. more...
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Profile to Launch Softwood Market Reporting In Summer - Jun 5, 2020
Let’s be honest, pallet users used to have a huge mental block against softwood pallets. But this is not really true. Both softwood and hardwood have positive and negative characteristics when it comes to pallet design.; NEWS IN BRIEF: New York Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, introduced the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act of 2020.; Auctions: FORMERLY SONOMA PACIFIC • THURSDAY, JUNE 18TH • 9AM PST • 1180 Fremont Dr • Sonoma, CA 95476 -- FORMERLY NORTH AMERICAN CONTAINER • THURSDAY, JUNE 25TH • 10AM CST • 2180 E Gaines St. • Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 more...
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NAFTA Panel Upholds U.S. Softwood Complaint Against Canadian Producers - May 29, 2020
It does look like some duty relief will come later this summer. The Commerce determined that the current countervailing and anti-dumping penalties should be reduced by half.; OSHA Updates COVID-19 Case Reporting Guidelines: Generally, employers are expected to make reasonable decisions about the status of COVID-19 cases despite having limited medical expertise. The new guidance is expected to make the process easier.; Congress Considers PPP Changes: The full House is expected to pass legislation that would give businesses that have secured loans under the program up to 24 weeks or December 31, 2020. more...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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