True Sustainability Goals: Analysis of Kimberly-Clark’s New Green Initiative - Jul 13, 2012
Going green is all the rage these days, especially when it is cloaked in the phrase, “Sustainability.” Major corporations want to talk about saving money and supply chain costs while reducing environmental impacts. But sometimes we don’t stop to analyze the assumptions that underline our decisions. Industry Loses Warrior in Bruce Scholnick: The pallet industry lost a significant leader this week. Bruce Scholnick, who has led the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA) for 12 years, passed away at his home on July 9 from cancer. Supreme Court to Hear Forest Roads Case: Many in the forest products industry applauded the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the 2010 decision requiring National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for logging roads. Officials Crack Down on Pallet Theft Across Country: Officials recently arrested multiple individuals in connection with stolen pallets in two separate operations on different sides of the country. News Brief: Several new areas in Virginia have been added to the list of regulated areas for the emerald ash borer (EAB) by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). more...
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Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare Employer Mandate - Jul 6, 2012
Though most headlines about last week's Supreme Court decision on the Obama administration's healthcare reform focused on the individual mandate being upheld, a significant requirement for employers – the employer mandate - was also upheld. New container terminal planned for Panama Canal. Quarterly lumber trend graphs for five hardwood U.S. regions and one Western softwood, covering the past year. Upcoming auctions. more...
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ISPM-15 Certification Issues Arise for Recyclers - Jun 29, 2012
NWPCA urges ALSC to change its policies regarding recycling pallets. ALSC clarifies one area of concern and sticks to its guns on another. Repairing EPAL pallets without license not allowed, court rules. Electronic container transfer technology released by Canadian Pallet Council. Some manufacturing jobs that have been sent overseas to China are expected to be brought back to the United States. CHEP recently launched a pilot carbon neutral pallet program. Demand for truck transportation and warehousing services is expected to expand in the coming years. Drugs were hidden in hollowed-out wooden pallets used to transport foods from Guyana to Canada.
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Program Suspensions Point to Needed Disclosure Reforms in the U.S. HT Program - Jun 29, 2012
Publisher Soap Box: Eight companies are currently suspended from the ALSC program. Recent suspension of Memphis company highlights need for disclosure reforms. Drugs hidden in pallets. Lakeland Mills in British Columbia temporarily suspended operations at its planer mill. The emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine has been expanded in Virginia. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter. more...
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NWPCA Seeks Policy Clarification for Recycled Pallets - Jun 22, 2012
NWPCA urges ALSC to change its policies regarding recycling pallets. ALSC clarifies one area of concern and sticks to its guns on another. Bill Hanneman leaves his legacy at Viking. Delightful Quality Produce has signed a new multi-year contract with CHEP. A Michigan pallet company is planning to rebuild several months after it suffered losses from a fire. more...
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Logistics Report Identifies Opportunities and Challenges Ahead - Jun 15, 2012
Logistics experts have been warning for years about potential trucking capacity issues and it seems that conditions are starting to point to capacity concerns becoming a reality sooner rather than later in some areas of the country. Forest management and products help reduce carbon levels. New Executive Director named by Hardwood Federation. Bill would include forest products in Biobased Markets Program. The Canadian Pallet Council (CPC) recently announced its new executive committee and board of directors for 2012-2013. more...
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Federal Officials Finally Pull Trigger on New EAB Policy - Jun 8, 2012
After announcing a policy change in February 2012 and then delaying it to provide for more review, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has stated it will proceed with a new federal quarantine policy for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Brambles puts recall back on the shelf, seeks additional funding. Electronic container transfer technology released by Canadian Pallet Council. more...
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VA Tech Center Changes Name, Broadens Focus - Jun 1, 2012
As part of Virginia Tech’s strategy to launch a full packaging program with an emphasis on the unit load, the university has changed the name of the Center for Unit Load Design to the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design (the Center). Properly secured pallets prevent accidents. Tax breaks for beetle-kill wood expanded. more...
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A Tale of Two Markets: A Look at the Future of the U.S. Pallet Market - May 29, 2012
The number one question we hear today from recyclers is “What is the future of the pallet industry in North America given the current market situation, particularly the core crunch?” In my fifteen plus years reporting on the industry there has never been a time as precarious, uncertain and opportunistic as today. Cores are scarce. 9BLOC provides strategic insights, updates progress. Ongweoweh Corp. partners with Axios composite pallet. Greystone Logistics announces sales growth.
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9BLOC Provides Strategic Insights, Updates Progress - May 25, 2012
The 9BLOC leadership team recently held a meeting in Richmond, Va. to provide status updates as this new white-wood cooperative pool is being launched. Held in conjunction with EXPO Richmond, the meeting updated 9BLOC partners on the launch process. 9BLOC is expected to soon release its business plan to participating companies. This document will outline many specifics of how the program will work and will be used by pallet companies and 9BLOC to secure outside financing. The 9BLOC leadership team is in the process of vetting this document with finance experts in Chicago and New York. EXPO Richmond – the best pallet show in a long time! Fire damages pallet companies in California and Colorado. IFCO opens new RPC center. The correct phone number for OSHA is 800/321-OSHA (6742). more...
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