Countervailing Duties Set to Come Off, Other Developments - Aug 24, 2017
Shipments processed on August 28th and after will be exempt from the CVD assuming no final rate has been announced. The antidumping duty (AD) rate of 6.87% will remain in place.; Training to Improve Your Maintenance Programs: A short course called, “Statistical Analysis to Improve Manufacturing Maintenance Programs” will be held November 14-15, 2017 at the Brooks Forest Products Center in Blacksburg, Virginia.; Litco Demonstrates Benefits, Achieves Certified BioPreferred Status By USDA: Litco’s Inca molded wood products are made from wood waste and resin. Besides selling directly to end users, Litco also provides pallets through third-party pallet manufacturers and recyclers. more...
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Brambles Signals Intention to Sell off North American Pallet Recycling Business - Aug 17, 2017
The company intends to put up for sale its white-wood recycling business in North America, the division formerly known as IFCO, but recently rebranded as CHEP Recycled.; NWPCA to Develop Fire Safety Manual: Do you know what you might need to update in terms of your pallet storage and fire policy? The manual is scheduled to be published and released in the fall of 2017. more...
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Freight, Trucking Forecast to Grow - Aug 10, 2017
As the U.S. population grows and the economy increases with it, trucking will remain the dominant freight mode, but all forms of freight movement are rising.; NWPCA Offers Fall Plant Tours: This year the tour stops off in the Houston area to visit four locations. Early bird registration ends August 31, 2017.; OSHA Halts Combustible Dust Rulemaking: The other OSHA rulemaking priorities to get the axe by the Trump administration are construction noise, vehicles driven in reverse at factories and construction sites, and chemical exposure standards.; EPAL Continues Growth: The organization has developed a reputation for quality and strict controls of its standards and has become the world’s biggest open exchange pool. more...
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What’s Next for Health Care Reform? - Aug 4, 2017
Will partisan politics keep lawmakers from working to fix the broken system? Will 'blame the other guy' be the main strategy for both sides of the aisle?; Housing Market Still Struggles from Supply Problems: One problem is prices are increasing faster than incomes, and this coupled with tighter loan requirement, is acting as a drag on demand.; AUCTION! KESLAR LUMBER (RETIREMENT) SAT. AUG 12th, 2017, 9AM EST, 884 Buchannan Road, White, PA 15490. COMPLETE SAWMILL, COOPER SCRAGG MILL, BREWCO RESAW SYSTEM & ROLLING STOCK. more...
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Pallet Thefts Raise Security and Black Market Issues - Jul 27, 2017
If you are a business with pallet storage the best thing you can do is to secure and monitor those pallets with surveillance cameras and fences.; Pallet Survey Data Collection, Impact Your Industry Through Information: Please don’t delay! You can take the survey at www.palletsurvey.com. The deadline is August 4th.; PECO Pallet Celebrates 20th Anniversary: Known for its distinctly red pallet pool, PECO has developed a reputation for quality and customer-friendly billing processes.; NWPCA to Develop Fire Safety Manual: New requirements specifically address the wood and composite wood pallet manufacturing and recycling facilities.; Keep Your Market Safe and Accurately Informed: Please help us and help your local market by reporting data twice per month by filling out the included market data form. more...
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Forests Legislation Headed for House - Jul 27, 2017
The legislation would streamline the process for timber sales, notably on lands at risk from wildfire, and let officials quickly implement salvage operations and reforestation efforts in the case of a disaster.; West Fraser Announces Major U.S. Acquisition: The company has entered into an agreement to acquire the operations of the Gilman Companies which are comprised of six sawmills and a finger-joint mill in Florida and Georgia.; Senators Push for Strong Enforcement of Trade Laws in Softwood Negotiations: The group expressed strong support for fair competition and the enforcement of existing U.S. trade laws that would lessen the harm of alleged Canadian subsidies. more...
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Wildfires Spark Concern in Canada, Starting to Impact Canadian Lumber Exports - Jul 21, 2017
A number of sawmills have temporarily shut down operations due to safety concerns, which is further putting a strain on supplies.; Pallet Survey Data Collection, Impact Your Industry Through Information: Please don’t delay and take the survey at www.palletsurvey.com. The deadline is August 4th.; NAFTA Negotiations Could Impact Softwood Issue: The Canadian government has successfully used the Chapter 19 process in the past to bypass U.S. courts to seek a resolution. more...
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Pallet Thefts Raise Security and Black-market Issues - Jul 13, 2017
The story is usually the same. Excess pallets are stored outside of a retail or industrial facility. Scavengers come in the night or sometimes during the day and take pallets and run off.: RM2 Uses Cellular Technology to Track Pallets: Better supply chain visibility will hopefully help reach carbon savings and improve traceability of the pallet.; JBS and CHEP Collaborate for Increased Efficiency and Sustainability: The partnership has resulted in the elimination of 880,000 empty truck miles for JBS. This supply chain optimization resulted in a reduction of more than 3.3 million pounds of CO2. more...
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Corrugated Campaign Targets College Campuses - Jul 7, 2017
There are some places where corrugated pallets make sense. But a widespread move to replace wood could actually backfire in terms of safety, performance and environmental sustainability.; Heat Illness Prevention Tips During Summer Months: A key component of heat safety is annual training so that workers know how to spot conditions. All employees and supervisors need to know the signs of heat illness and what steps to take to prevent it and treat the condition.; Independent Truckers Lose Challenge: The nation’s highest court decided recently that it would not take up a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation mandate requiring truck drivers to use electronic devices to record how many hours they drive.; NEWS IN BRIEF: A leading pallet company in Pennsylvania recently donated a handmade wood display case to the Pennsylvania College of Technology. A shopper at a Sam’s Club in Clearwater, Florida, filed a lawsuit against the company alleging that she was injured by a splintered piece of wood from a pallet. A Chicago law firm is filing a $5 million dollar lawsuit against The Home Depot and Menard’s because 4x4 timbers are 3-½ by 3-½.; Quarterly Regional Lumber Trends: These graphs illustrate the average lumber prices published within each region over the past year. It is a more detailed look at our regular weekly hardwood composite. more...
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PECO Pallet Lawsuit Trudges On As Pallets Build Up - Jun 29, 2017
The major legal showdown between PECO Pallets and Northwest Pallet over asset retrieval fees, policies and lost pallets began in August 2015, and there appears to be no end in sight.; Unit Load Course Slated: Virginia Tech will conduct a short course in unit load design and performance Aug. 15-17 on the campus in Blacksburg, Virginia.; Heat Illness Prevention Tips During Summer Months: Employees working outdoors or in hot environments need to remember that heat-related sickness can cause serious injury or even death. more...
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U.S. Announces Antidumping Duties, Negotiations Continue in Softwood Lumber Fight - Jun 29, 2017
Both governments are still working on a deal and are a bit closer than they were a few months ago. That’s the main takeaway from the latest round of news in the trade battle between the United States and Canada over softwood lumber imports.; OSHA Delays Electronic Record Compliance Date: The proposed delay until Dec. 1, 2017 will allow OSHA an opportunity to further review and consider the rule, Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses. more...
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Tomorrow’s Pallet Industry Today – Review from LIGNA 2017: Part IV - Jun 22, 2017
Robots and automation aren’t the future of the pallet industry. People are. Advanced automation is a great tool. But it takes smart, dedicated people to make them work.; NWPCA Offers Chicago Safety Meeting: Dubbed the ‘Year of Safety’ the NWPCA has put a significant focus this year on safety and fire prevention. Please consider attending the Chicago regional safety meeting held August 3. more...
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Tomorrow’s Pallet Industry Today – Review from LIGNA 2017: Part III - Jun 15, 2017
“Double the fun.” What do I mean by that phrase? The idea is if you have to do something once, why not try to do double the volume on each step?; Lumber Program Exemption Unchanged: Companies that produce or import less than 15 million board feet per year would be exempt, as they currently are.; Bob Hanna Passes Away: He started Bob Hanna Machinery Sales Company in 1978 and West Plains Machinery Company in 1983; he was widely known in the pallet and machinery business. more...
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Tomorrow’s Pallet Industry Today – Review from LIGNA 2017: Part II - Jun 8, 2017
A key for fast production on a high-speed nailing machine is proper lumber sortation and preparation.; Canadian Government Offers Assistance for Lumber Industry: Most of the assistance comes as loans, loan guarantees or job training assistance for Canadian workers.; Unit Load Course Slated: Virginia Tech will conduct a short course in unit load design and performance Aug. 15-17 on the campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. The title of the course is “How to Reduce Shipping Costs.”; Cyberattack Is Unprecedented: Some experts are concerned that maybe the next target could be the United States. more...
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Tomorrow’s Pallet Industry Today – Review from LIGNA 2017: Part I - Jun 2, 2017
The North American wooden pallet industry is heading into the golden age of machinery and equipment innovation - and will need it because finding workers continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing companies.; California Fire Leads to Homeless Families and Devastation, Industry Lessons: The fire took place at Hugo’s Pallets Inc. in Sacramento, California on May 25th. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.; Resolute Lawsuits Against Greenpeace Churn Ahead: Greenpeace has conceded in legal filings that its claims against Resolute were nothing more than “hyperbole,” “heated rhetoric,” and “non-verifiable statements of subjective opinion.”; Federal Aid for Oregon Timber Communities Dries Up: The counties previously received hundreds of millions of dollars in timber revenues and are now reluctant to raise taxes, and it’s impacting local governments and institutions. AUCTION !!!!! COMPLETE SCRAGG MILL OPERATION, 3 VIKING NAILERS, 2 BREWER GANG SYSTEMS, MORBARK HORIZONTAL GRINDER & ROLLING STOCK. TARTER GATE WOOD PALLET DIV. SAT. JUNE 17th, 2017 • 10AM EST 11346 US Hwy 127S, Dunnville, Kentucky 42528 more...
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Improving Oil Industry Heats Up Mat Sector, What Does This Mean for Hardwood Demand? - May 26, 2017
An increase in mat production could have an impact in some areas, but it doesn’t appear the perfect storm that occurred in 2013 is likely to repeat given the widespread availability in many areas where mat demand will be highest.; Forest Products Groups Hail Congressional Action: The legislation recognizes the full benefits of the use of forest biomass for energy, conservation and responsible forest management. more...
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Pallet Storage Remains Hot Issue for Recycling Industry - May 26, 2017
Now is the time to get up to speed on new fire code changes. Otherwise, you may be required to comply with stricter requirements on outdoor pallet storage.; Get Rid of that Old Piece of Machinery: As a paying Recycle Record subscriber, you are entitled each year to one free classified ad in the Pallet Enterprise magazine.; Biomass More ‘Carbon Friendly’ than Natural Gas Study Shows: This finding was specific to use of residues for power generation, the authors noted. more...
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Fallout Begins from Softwood Lumber Dispute - May 19, 2017
Price spikes have occurred for softwood lumber in the U.S. as well as Canadian imports. This has led some companies to consider alternatives, such as hardwoods, using more recycled lumber or other options.; Don’t Miss Out on the Pallet and Lumber Machinery Innovation: The Pallet Profile will carry an exclusive detailed report on Chaille Brindley’s upcoming trip to Europe and the Ligna 2017 show, which is one of the largest trade events in the world for forest products machinery.; OSHA Update in Early Trump Administration: One recent change points to the Trump administration’s plan to ease some regulations on employers. more...
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Pallet Storage Remains Hot Issue for Industry: State of the Pallet Industry – Part 5 - May 12, 2017
Right now, you are going to know more than the code officials because these new pallet storage standards are new. Your familiarity with them will help drive the discussion toward policies that truly reflect the operating conditions at your facility not some old standard approach.; Get Rid of that Old Piece of Machinery: As a paying Pallet Profile subscriber, you are entitled each year to one free classified ad in the Pallet Enterprise magazine. This is an $80 value absolutely free!; Biomass More ‘Carbon Friendly’ than Natural Gas Study Shows: The study came on the heels of a vote by Congress last week to recognize the carbon benefits of biomass fuel in the omnibus spending bill for 2017. more...
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The First 100 Days of the Trump Administration, Industry Impact - May 5, 2017
President Trump came into office with big promises. His biggest early achievement could have consequences for decades: nomination and confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. Beyond that, what he’s undone may be more important than what he’s done.; Fly-In Gives Pallet Industry Congressional Access: The event held from June 20-21 in Washington, D.C. includes opportunities to meet and share your opinions with members of Congress, hear from leading political experts and network with Washington power brokers. more...
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State of the Pallet Industry Marketing, Rebranding and the Economic & Political Climate Facing the Industry - Apr 27, 2017
What will happen in the near future? Look for the Trump agenda to trudge along. Remember that change is hard to bring to Washington D.C. The rest of the year should be interesting, but don’t expect major changes to improve the business environment until 2018 at the earliest.; U.S. Government Assesses Preliminary Duties on Canadian Softwood Lumber: The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has ruled in favor of U.S. softwood lumber industry and has determined that Canadian producers are receiving subsidies ranging from 3.02% to 24.12%. more...
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DOC Issues Countervailing Duty on Canadian Softwood Lumber - Apr 27, 2017
The U.S. Department of Commerce has determined that Canadian producers are receiving subsidies ranging from 3.02% to 24.12% for their lumber imports.; State of Pallet Industry – Part 4, Trump and Safety Regulations: Hiring freezes across many federal agencies as well as restrictions on new rules will create a more favorable business climate.; Lessons on Piercing the Corporate Veil – Pallet Recycler Faces Overtime Lawsuit: The first thing that the plaintiff alleges is that the company is not properly capitalized to pay the debt owed to the workers. more...
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Trump and the Regulatory Agenda, State of the Pallet Industry – Part III - Apr 21, 2017
Many business owners are encouraged by the potential for regulatory reform and tax changes. But change is hard to bring to Washington D.C. The rest of the year should be interesting, but don’t expect major changes to improve the business environment until 2018 at the earliest.; DOC Postpones Antidumping Duty Ruling, Petition Seeks Exclusion for Pallet Kits: The agency made the decision after a request from the committee reviewing the petition and subsequent data provided by Canadian sawmills and others in the process.; Hardwood Industry Analysis Available Online: Experts in the hardwood lumber industry gathered last year in Princeton, West Virginia. Topics covered were: forest resources, lumber markets, emerging sawing technology and other business opportunities. The information can now be accessed for free online. more...
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Softwood Lumber Negotiations Appear Far from a Deal - Apr 14, 2017
Trump’s pick for the U.S. Trade Representative spot, Robert Lighthizer, has yet to be approved by the Senate. And he isn’t likely to be in place before the Department of Commerce (DOC) makes its preliminary determination on countervailing duties on April 24th.; Housing Shows Uptick, Some Headwinds Still Remain: Home construction is a huge driver of demand for wood products, and unfortunately, it’s not all good news. Construction of single family homes remains near the recession levels of the early 1980s.; Second Annual Pallet Palooza Scheduled for 2017: This year they are accepting entry submissions from May 2 through June 30. Entry submissions are made on palletswmi.com. This year’s PalletPalooza Day is August 12. Over $2000 in prize money is available for winning entries in the contest. more...
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Trump Rolls Back Order on OSHA - Apr 6, 2017
Under Obama, OSHA focused a disproportionate amount of time on enforcement instead of partnering with employers to create safe workplaces.; China Logging Ban Fully Imposed: One of the world’s biggest markets is no longer allowing commercial timber harvesting.; Pallet Foundation Raises Record Sum: Recent auction held at the NWPCA ALC meeting smashed through previous historical records.; PDS Course Offered at Virginia Tech: Learn the fundamentals for both stringer and block pallets on May 2-4, 2017 in Blacksburg, Virginia.; EXPO 2017: Brochure included.; Canadian Market Coverage: First of the month reports on market conditions in Canada.; Participate for a Chance to win a VISA Gift Card: Complete and submit our data form. It's simple!; Quarterly Graph Analysis: The Profile examines regional lumber trends. more...
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Action Steps to Launch the Rebrand: State of the Pallet Industry – Part II - Mar 31, 2017
If you don’t know your brand differential, neither does your customer. And in that case, you are going to be competing only on price.; Nail Prices Project Upward Momentum: While higher reported prices vary among contacts, price increases are often reported to be in the 5% to 10% range.; Crosstie Production Sagging: Class I railroads may be delaying some tie maintenance programs, which means they do not need to purchase and treat as many green ties.; President of Nelson Machine Passes Away: Billy Carroll Norris died on Sunday, February 12, 2017. Born in Coats, North Carolina on November 9, 1935, he grew up on his family’s farm. more...
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Brambles Leadership Shakeup Signals Concerns for CHEP Recycled Unit - Mar 30, 2017
The new CEO of Brambles, Graham Chipchase, has announced the streamlining of the organizational structure of its North American business units, including the division formerly known as IFCO.; HR Survey Released: If you participated, you should have already received the finished report by email.; Euro Pallet Dilemma - EPAL Ends Exchange Agreement with UIC: EPAL specifically noted concerns about UIC’s quality assurance and efforts to fight the import of counterfeit UIC/EUR pallets in the European Union.; Axios Declares Bankruptcy: The Axios pallet had gained ground in the egg sector with a major U.S. retailer. But the cost of launching its pool eventually began to eat up available capital.; Second Annual Pallet Palooza Scheduled for 2017: This year they are accepting entry submissions from May 2 through June 30. This year’s PalletPalooza Day is August 12. more...
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Beyond the Rebrand – Putting a New Face on the Wooden Pallet: State of the Pallet Industry, Part 1 - Mar 24, 2017
The keynote speech at the NWPCA Annual Leadership Conference held recently featured Ken Schmidt, the former director of communications at the Harley-Davidson. Schmidt hit on some key points that pallet industry leaders need to remember.; Timber Innovation Act to be Considered Again in Congress: The legislation aims to increase the use of wood in construction. The bipartisan measure was introduced in the House and was filed in the Senate.; Turning Shipping into Child’s Play: With more than 60 million refugees around the world and over half of them being children, PlayPallets International, Inc. has developed a pallet that can be easily rebuilt into sporting good equipment for children in refugee camps and disaster zones around the world.
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USTR Nomination Hearing Sheds Light on Key Trade Issues, SLA Renegotiations - Mar 16, 2017
Very little is clear at this point except for the fact that a new SLA won’t come very soon, and the beginning of new negotiations continues to be delayed until a new USTR is set into office. The recent Senate hearing for U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) nominee, Robert Lighthizer, gave Congress an opportunity to delve into Trump policy.; HR Survey Released: If you participated, you should receive the finished report by Monday, March 20th. Please allow extra time for delivery of the report via postal mail for those participants who do not use email communications.; Brambles Realigns North American Business Units: Publisher soapbox piece explores how new strategy to delayer management could face some significant headwinds to growth in the United States as more and more consumer spending moves online. more...
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Euro Pallet Dilemma: EPAL Ends Exchange Agreement with UIC - Mar 9, 2017
EPAL specifically noted concerns about UIC’s quality assurance and efforts to fight the import of counterfeit UIC/EUR pallets in the European Union.; Profile Offers Softwood Special Report: The aim of the report is to take a very complex situation and make it understandable for lay people who don’t regularly follow the market. more...
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Regulations on the Chopping Block - Mar 3, 2017
While many assume that only the biggest companies face daunting compliance issues, it is also a tremendous issue for independent, small and medium businesses owners.; Axios Declares Bankruptcy: The company is known for its composite pallet equipped with advanced RFID tags and lightweight design.; News Briefs: The U.S. ITC will postpone its preliminary determination in a countervailing duty investigation into Chinese hardwood plywood no later than April 17; Donald Trump’s hiring freeze on federal jobs has reportedly been lifted for the Forest Service; The New York Post ran an article titled “People Can’t Stop Stealing Wooden Pallets.”; President Trump initiated a regulatory freeze to allow the incoming administration to review all new rules. more...
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Amazon Growing in Retail Influence - Feb 24, 2017
Unlike a traditional retailer, Amazon doesn’t really have retail stores. So, the pallets needed to send goods down to retail are not needed in Amazon’s model.; Canada Establishes Softwood Lumber Task Force: This group will share information and analysis to understand potential impacts and assess how to address the needs of affected workers and communities.; 3D Printing Pallets?: Additive manufacturing works by adding layer and layer of material on top of each other to building a particular design. more...
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Brambles Stumbles, 1H 2017 Results Miss Mark - Feb 24, 2017
Brambles stated that its North American pallet operations were impacted by lower sales revenue growth, increased competitive pressure resulting in lower pricing and lower net new business growth in the pooled segment and revenue decline in the recycled pallet operations.; Amazon Growing in Retail Influence: Unlike a traditional retailer, Amazon doesn’t really have retail stores. So, the pallets needed to send goods down to retail are not needed in Amazon’s model.; Recycle Bits: Several recent federal court rulings have dealt setbacks to the trucking industry’s practice of classifying drivers as independent contractors. Exports of southern pine lumber in 2016 reached a record 688 million board feet. FCO, a global leader in reusable packaging and containers, is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary in business this year. he New York Post recently ran an article titled “People Can’t Stop Stealing Wooden Pallets.” The American Trucking Associations leadership recently met with Congress to urge swift action with a long-term infrastructure spending package. According to website Safety.BLR, President Trump initiated a regulatory freeze. Employers need to be aware that the deadline period for posting the OSHA Form 300A has arrived.The Reusable Packaging Association has new leadership for 2017.
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Whitehouse Talks, Softwood Duty Issue Continues to Evolve - Feb 16, 2017
President Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week as both discussed trade concerns including the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).; Special Workshop Focuses on Employees and Your Company Mission: During the upcoming National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) Annual Leadership Conference a group of Christian pallet and lumber business leaders are gathering together to hold a workshop. more...
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Duty Threat Causes Market Uncertainty - Feb 10, 2017
Since the WPA meeting, lumber prices in the West have continued to push upward with concerns, as at least one major Canadian player is putting a hold on any major orders after February 27th.; NEWS BRIEFS: Exports of southern pine lumber in 2016 reached a record 688 million board feet. IFCO, a global leader in reusable packaging and containers, is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary in business this year. Employers need to be aware that the deadline period for posting the OSHA Form 300A has arrived.; Tom Worthey of Wooden Pallets LTD Passes Away: Tom enjoyed spending time on his ranches in Duval County and Webb County. more...
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OSHA Issues Final Rule on Recordkeeping and New Rules on Electronic Reporting - Feb 3, 2017
The U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the court’s decision, ruling that OSHA could not cite an employer for failure to record work-related injuries or illnesses more than six months after the initial obligation to record.; Brambles Downgrades Performance Forecast: The downgraded profit forecast did not affect the Brambles rating by Moody’s, which reaffirmed Brambles Baa1 debt rating with a stable outlook.; Perdue Named to Lead USDA: Donald Trump nominated former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue to be the secretary of agriculture. Perdue grew up on a farm and is a veterinarian by training. more...
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Nail Prices Moving Higher - Jan 27, 2017
As of this writing, rod prices are jumping regularly. This may end up forcing nail prices significantly higher this spring.; Renegotiated NAFTA What Does that Mean for the Softwood Dispute?: Trump wants a win with trade. But including lumber into NAFTA may not win him many friends among those fighting for U.S. lumber jobs.; NEWS IN BRIEF: Legal experts are predicting significant changes at the federal OSHA Administration under President Donald Trump. A fire caused some damage to a CHEP facility in Amarillo, Texas recently. more...
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Northwest Pallet Claims Abandonment in PECO Court Cases - Jan 27, 2017
Both companies are suing each other due to a disagreement over how to handle the return of PECO-marked pallets.; Counterfeit Pallets in Europe Remain a Problem for EPAL: There are quality assurance issues which have resulted in serious complaints from users who, when exchanging EPAL Euro pallets, received non-conforming UIC/EUR pallets.; WPA Meeting Roundup: One of the hot topics at the meeting was the current problems in California with suspicious pallet fires. Arson is suspected to be the cause in many instances. more...
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WPA Meeting Roundup - Jan 20, 2017
One of the hot topics at the meeting was the current problems in California with suspicious pallet fires. Arson is suspected to be the cause in many instances.; Northwest Pallet Claims Abandonment in PECO Court Cases: Both companies are suing each other due to a disagreement over how to handle the return of PECO-marked pallets. more...
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USITC Votes to Continue Investigations on Softwood Lumber Products from Canada - Jan 12, 2017
It determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.; Is the Trucking Industry Going to Be “Uber-ized” Soon?: The model has the potential to totally revamp and save billions of dollars each year in lost revenue from “empty miles and excess capacity issues.”; NEWS IN BRIEF: Scientists have discovered what makes plant cell walls so strong. more...
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Minimum Wage Increases Impact Pallet Labor Situation - Jan 5, 2017
While most workers at industry facilities earn more than minimum wage, the problem is that upward pressure tends to have a ripple effect pushing wages up across the board.; Softwood Dispute Process, Important Dates and Information: You have people in the pallet industry on both sides of this softwood lumber dispute. That is why neither of the two major trade associations in the United States for the pallet industry are taking a side on the softwood lumber petition.; Counterfeit Pallets in Europe Remain a Problem for EPAL: According to EPAL, there are quality assurance issues which have resulted in serious complaints from users who, when exchanging EPAL Euro pallets, received non-conforming UIC/EUR pallets.; Brambles Touts Sustainability: It reduced carbon emissions per unit by 6.5% and ensured that 15% of the electricity it consumed was generated by renewable sources.; News Briefs: The global industrial packaging market will grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2016-2022. more...
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U.S. Government Moves Ahead with Softwood Lumber Duty Investigation - Dec 23, 2016
The primary opponents to the petition are domestic users of Canadian lumber, such as the homebuilding sector and others, including some pallet and packaging producers. Unassembled pallets (pallet kits) and notched stringers are included in the expanded scope of the U.S. petition.; Two Trends Emerge in Housing Sector: One, home ownership rates remain on the decline. And two, new construction is more heavily weighted to multi-family buildings.; Christmas Calendar, Office Closed: This is the final issue of the year as we do not publish the Pallet Profile on Friday, December 30th. more...
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USDA Confers 100% Biobased Status on PDS™ Produced Wood Pallets - Dec 23, 2016
As environmental credentials remain a positive purchasing criteria that some buyers look for, this new certification will only help wooden pallet producers.; Demand Increases for Logistics and Industrial Space: Pallet companies are positioned to offer distribution space and even services that can help develop tighter relationships with customers and provide opportunities for more growth. more...
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Softwood Petition Includes Pallet Lumber for First Time - Dec 16, 2016
Previously when duties were applied to softwood lumber from Canada, lumber sent as precut pallet kits and notched stringers had been exempted. But it is not clear if that will be the case if the U.S. government moves forward with the investigation.; Congress Rolls Back Hours of Service Rules: With the Trump administration looking to reduce regulatory burdens on the economy, expect for tighter HOS rules to go nowhere.; Holiday Schedule: The Pallet Profile and Pallet Enterprise office will be closed the week between Christmas and New Years. So, there will be no Pallet Profile published on Friday, December 30th. more...
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Suspicious Fires Raise Concern in California Pallet Sector - Dec 9, 2016
Many of these are suspected to be arson due to video footage and subsequent investigations. Arson prevention all starts with security. People doing criminal activity usually don’t want to get caught.; Demand Increases for Logistics and Industrial Space: Pallet companies are positioned to offer distribution space and even services that can help develop tighter relationships with customers and provide opportunities for more growth. The deeper you can get in connection with a customer, the harder it is to lose that piece of pallet business. more...
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Softwood Lumber Feud Reignites, U.S. Sawmills Ask for Duties on Canadian Lumber - Dec 2, 2016
The U.S. Lumber Coalition alleges that Canadian provincial governments provide standing trees to Canadian producers for an administered fee that is far below the market value of the timber.; Campaign Seeks to Save the Planet by Getting Rid of Wood Pallets, Secures First Corporate Convert: The core of the argument is that wooden pallets are too heavy, and that by using a lighter pallet, especially corrugated, less carbon is released into the atmosphere. more...
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Trump Wins: Now What? - Nov 29, 2016
With the Republicans having maintained control of both the House and Senate, the legislative landscape is probably going to change.; Do You Know the Answers to These Critical Questions?: Your chance to get the answers is about to be over. If you want to get a free copy of our 2016 Human Resources and Wage Survey, you need to participate and complete the form.; Recycling Industry Loses a Good Friend: Clarence Leising recently passed away on Sunday, November 13th due to complications stemming from a long fight with cancer.; Recycle Bits: CHEP executives say the company helped customers save more than $1 million and achieve a significant return on investment. RM2 has been showcasing its newest generation of BLOCKPal pallets at PACK EXPO and Pharma Expo. A fire recently broke out at Commercial Lumber and Pallet in City of Industry, Calif. more...
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Forest Fires Plague Southeast - Nov 23, 2016
The biggest fire is in the Cohutta Wilderness in northern Georgia. It has burned 27,000 acres in more than a month and at press time is only 20 percent contained.; Update on Wire Rod for Pallet Nails: Prices rose to $400 in September, and continued to climb to $410 this November.; Arson Hits West Coast Pallet Plant: A fire recently broke out at Commercial Lumber and Pallet in City of Industry, Calif. It took firefighters about three hours to bring the flames under control.; OSHA Issues New Rule for Fall Hazards: In general, the rule requires employers to identify slip, trip and fall hazards and then provide fall protection, ranging from guard rails to tethered harnesses. more...
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USDA Confers 100% Biobased Status on PDS Produced Wood Pallets - Nov 18, 2016
As environmental credentials remain a positive purchasing criteria that some buyers look for, this new certification will only help wooden pallet producers.; Industry Loses a Valuable Man in Clarence Leising: Hundreds of pallet companies, mostly recyclers, will gladly tell you how much they respect Clarence and how important his management suggestions have been to them.; Future of the Hardwood Sector – Part 1, The Times They Are a Changin’: Pallet customers found that in most cases softwood, especially SYP, was strong enough to work well. Many are not concerned about the long-term durability of a pallet.; NEWS IN BRIEF: A study conducted in Canada concluded that a distribution center can save about $500,000 annually by using block pallets instead of pooled stringer pallets. North American wood fiber prices have trended downward for most of 2015 and 2016. more...
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Trump Wins: What Now? - Nov 11, 2016
The Republicans have maintained control of both the House and Senate, it is important to consider how the outcome can impact the pallet and low-grade lumber industries.; Wood Can Curb Emissions at Some Coal Plants: Co-firing of biomass could ramp up quickly and easily, and it could be a bridge to technologies to achieve greater long-term reductions in carbon emissions.; AUCTION: November 18-19, Bruceton, TN more...
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