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Part 2: Trump Round 2 – Tax, Labor, and Immigration Policy Implications - Nov 15, 2024
Already President-Elect Trump is naming some fairly unconventional names for some key posts, but he will likely have a lot of latitude with the Republicans having control over both the House and the Senate. A few of Trump’s nominees may not survive. Who president-elect Trump puts in charge of key departments will paint a picture.; Private Equity Firm Invests in Viking Engineering: StoneTree Investment Partners, a lower middle market industrials-focused private equity firm, has acquired an ownership stake in Viking Engineering & Development.; Lonnie Williams, Recycling Equipment Pioneer Leaves a Big Legacy: The kind of person with sawdust in his blood. That describes Lonnie M Williams, co-founder of PRS Group and pallet machinery innovator, who passed away last week.; Sawmill Production Rises Slightly According to Fed Data: This was the first rise in real output since the third quarter of 2023 according to the G.17 data. Employment in this sector rose for the first time in six quarters. more...
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Trump Round 2 – Implications for the Pallet Sector - Nov 15, 2024
A lot will depend on who Trump appoints to head agencies and how quickly then can install lower level appointees and get their agenda moving. Who president-elect Trump puts in charge of key departments will paint a picture. The first 100 day agenda will likely focus on getting Trump’s cabinet-level appointees approved.; Recycle Record Makes Some Changes for the Better: We will be releasing the report at the end of the second week of each month. We will also be changing the listing of our categories from #1 and #2 Hardwood GMA Pallets to A’s and B’s mixed woods species GMA’s.; Lonnie Williams, Recycling Equipment Pioneer Leaves a Big Legacy: The co-founder of PRS Group and pallet machinery innovator passed away last week. Lonnie Williams was the kind of person who his business was his hobby.; CHEP Earns New Business Wins Despite Volume Drop: The new U.S. business wins reflects more aggressive efforts by CHEP and its retail partners to push product manufacturers who have been on white-wood pallets to convert to pooling. One positive driver for CHEP in the U.S. market has been small increases in white-wood pallet prices for premium used pallets.; Could Pallet Quality Be the GMA’s Kryptonite? PECO Pallets recently issued a case study highlighting how it secured a new customer due to concerns over pallet quality connected to automation in the agriculture supply chain. How is your company engaging with customers on conversations about pallet quality? Recycle Bits: The USFS has opened the application process for its wood innovation and market development grant programs. more...
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Part 1: Trump Round 2 – Implications for the Forest Products Sector - Nov 8, 2024
Potential tariffs on goods going to trade partners that may seek retribution by putting duties on U.S. logs and lumber, especially hardwood lumber or logs heading to China, could be problematic, especially as the hardwood sector remains in the doldrums.; Website Awards Announced: This year the contest analyzed more than 200 industry websites for their customer-focused language as well as the design and functionality. The winners will be authorized to promote this recognition in their print and online communications. more...
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Automation and the Agriculture Supply Chain, Potato Packer Finds Success with PECO - Nov 1, 2024
The company was having a problem with its existing pallets working in new automated material handling systems. This led to a loss of efficiency, delivery delays and automation disruptions, shutting the line down as many as 20 times per day to clear out broken pallets.; Wood Innovation Grants Program Applications Now Open: The application period closes December 11, 2024 and this may be the last year where considerable funds are available for industry grants.; UFP Industries Announces Quarterly Results, Notes Slowing Markets, PalletOne Slight Sales Gains: Net sales of $1.65 billion decreased 10% due to a 3% decrease in organic unit sales and a 7% decrease in selling prices. The price of SYP also decreased 21%.; NEWS IN BRIEF: Current limits on industrial boiler emissions are sufficient to comply with requirements under the Clean Air Act. Doman Building Materials Group Ltd. has added another U.S. sawmill. Jason Ortega, NWPCA vice president of public affairs was named 2025 Leading Association Lobbyist. Owners of Allegheny Wood Products have been indicted on charges of larceny. Conner Industries, Inc. has expanded its Guardian Packaging facility located in Dallas, Texas. more...
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Brambles Performance and Outlook – Part 1: Pallet Pooler Secures New Business Wins in the USA - Oct 25, 2024
One positive driver for CHEP in the U.S. market has been small increases in white-wood pallet prices for premium used pallets. Even though CHEP is making more per pallet issued, its total pallet volume is down. Besides an overall sluggish U.S. economy, another reason for lost sales volume has been an earlier produce season that shifted pallet volumes into the previous quarter.; Warehouse Automation Discussion Needs to Involve the Pallet: The reality is that the pallet is the interface between individual products and the forklift, conveyors, racks and other handling and storage equipment. However, the pallet is the one thing that gets lost in all the technology conversations. more...
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Pallet User Survey Indicates Used Pallets Are More Popular Than New, Wood Remains Dominant Choice - Oct 24, 2024
White-wood, GMA pallets remain the king of the hill. But alternative materials and other sizes are making inroads. Used pallets (70%) are more popular than new pallets (51%).; OSHA Reveals Preliminary Data on Top Citations: No real surprise, fall protection tops OSHA’s list of top 10 violations for the 13th consecutive year.; European Commission Proposes 12-Month Delay for Deforestation Rule: The U.S. forest products sector is seeking a two-year delay to improve clarity about rules and provide enough time to implement any processes needed to comply.; Consulting Report Predicts Recycled Pallet Market Growth to Outpace Global GDP: While we agree that recycled pallets will continue to grow in many regions of the world, there are some concerns by major retailers and product manufacturers about how pallet quality could complicate warehouse and supply chain automation issues.; Recycle Bits: Frank C. Bonamie, the founder of Ongweoweh Corp., passed away recently. The annual FEFPEB congress was held recently in Belgium. more...
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You Can’t Solve America’s Forest Health Crisis Without Loggers - Oct 18, 2024
Proper management is the solution, and you can’t get there without loggers to help thin forests, remove debris and create products that will pay for it all. Otherwise, more forests will burn, and that doesn’t really create the kind of environment that we want. Controlled burns can only go so far.; OSHA Reveals Preliminary Data on Top Citations: Falls are among the costliest injuries that many workplaces will encounter and topped the list of top 10 violations for 13th consecutive year. more...
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Pallet Survey Indicates Marginal Growth in Non-Wood Pallets - Oct 11, 2024
This survey is a good bellwether for key pallet usage trends. There aren’t a lot of big surprises this year. Pallet usage ebbs and flows. One thing is certain, wood remains dominant, and isn’t likely to be knocked off its top spot any time soon.; Brambles Appoints New Leadership in CHEP Europe and Its Digital Tech Department: The company just promoted Helen Lane as CEO of CHEP Europe. Formerly, she was the company’s chief data and digital officer. Before then, she was vice president of CHEP Northern Europe.; Commerce Department Revises Anti-dumping Rate Downward for West Fraser and All Others Category: The rates for companies, such as Canfor, JD Irving and Tolko Industries remains the same as when published earlier this year. more...
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European Commission Proposes 12-Month Delay for Deforestation Rule - Oct 4, 2024
The U.S. forest products sector is seeking a two-year delay to improve clarity about rules and provide enough time to implement any processes needed to comply. The new trade rules are known as the EU Deforestation-free Rule (EUDR).; Website Award Nomination Deadline Extended! If you want us to consider your website, please e-mail your URL and a description. Submissions should be received by October 11th to be evaluated. Don’t miss out.; Quarterly Regional Lumber Trends: These Q4 graphs illustrate the average lumber prices published within each region over the past year. more...
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Kroger Institutes New Block Pallet Requirement in Select DCs - Sep 26, 2024
When detailing pallets that meet the standard, Kroger identified CHEP as a preferred vendor and showed a picture of a white-wood block pallet saying it meets the standard as well. Kroger also mentioned that PECO & iGPS pallets are still considered compliant even though this policy letter specifically singled out CHEP.; Nominate Your Website for Industry Awards: Our team is working on evaluating candidates now. Winners are recognized in an article in both print and online as well as receive free marketing materials you can use to highlight your recognition.; Suspected Pallet Arsonist Captured in California: You don’t want your yard to seem like an easy or inviting target for an arsonist. This event highlights the need for pallet companies to remain vigilant and take steps to secure facilities.; Recycle Bits: The USDA is getting ready to offer grants to help with new technology to advance forest health. Forbes magazine ran a story looking into expectations for the 2024 holiday shopping season. Rotochopper has just opened a new Research and Development Innovation Center. more...
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