Railway Authorities and EPAL at Odds in Europe - Apr 26, 2013
The two major organizations have split ways over what appears to be a squabble about the certification organization that will oversee quality control for the EPAL Euro pallet pool.; Profile Offers Tool to Explain Complex Lumber Market Movements to Customers: The webinar will take place live over the Web and on the phone on Tuesday, April 30th at 11:00 a.m. (EST).; OSHA Releases New Inspection Interpretation: Employers may need to adjust their procedures for responding to safety and health inspections.; News Briefs: A building at a pallet company was damaged and several vehicles were destroyed by an early morning fire. more...
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Is the Current U.S. Heat Treatment Program Broken? - Apr 26, 2013
Maybe, but one thing is for sure, and that is all of the major players in the industry want the same thing – an effective program to prevent the spread of wood pests around the globe.; Microwave ISPM-15 Treatments Approved: The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) has approved Dielectric Heating (DH), as a treatment method.; Profile Staff to Present Pallet Lumber Market Webinar: This free webinar is open to all Profile and Recycle Record subscribers as well as their pallet buying customers and will take place live over the Web and on the phone on Tuesday, April 30th at 11:00 a.m. (EST). more...
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OSHA Releases List of High Injury Companies - Apr 19, 2013
The list included over 50 wooden pallet and container manufacturers and almost 100 sawmills and wood products manufacturers.; Profile Staff to Present Pallet Lumber Market Webinar: This free webinar is open to all Profile and Recycle Record subscribers as well as their pallet buying customers and will take place live over the Web and on the phone on Tuesday, April 30th at 11:00 a.m. (EST).; Microwave ISPM-15 Treatments Approved: The Commission on Phyto-sanitary Measures (CPM) has approved Dielectric Heating (DH) as a treatment method.; News Briefs: A webinar on the new southern pine design values will be presented April 30 by the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA). The pointGUARD™ Pallet Protector was picked as one of nine finalists to have been selected to compete in the 2013 Recycling Innovators Forum.; AUCTIONS! April 27th and May 4th. more...
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Packaging Design Short Courses Provide Strategic Training Opportunities - Apr 11, 2013
By attending some short courses or dialoging with packaging consultants, your staff will get some experience that they would not have if they just rubbed shoulders with other pallet guys or lumber operations.; Asian Markets Hold Potential for Wood Pellet Exports: Researchers with the U.S. Forest Service studied the three major wood pellet markets in Asia - China, Japan and South Korea.; Business Intelligence-Make Customers, Not Just Sales: Having established customers is especially beneficial to small businesses as it is more cost-effective than constantly looking for new sales.; News Briefs: Tom Searles will retire as its president at the end of the year. CHEP USA and LeanLogistics were recently recognized by the seventh annual Stevie® Awards for
Sales & Customer Service. Georgia-Pacific is planning to invest almost $400 million in its plywood and lumber operations.; Economic and Housing Recoveries Limit Each Other: The housing market is still in the ‘healing’ process.; Timber County Payments Retroactively Subjected to Sequestration Cuts: Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell sent letters to 41 states informing them that they must return 5.1% of the Secure Rural School (SRS) payments. more...
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Washington Legislative Roundup - Apr 4, 2013
A brief summary of the key issues and the current legislative progress of interest to hardwood sawmills.; Profile Exclusive Presentation Covers Data and Pallet Network Management: The staff of Pallet Profile and Recycle Record is sponsoring a free webinar on the subject of managing closed loop pools and pallet networks on Tuesday, April 9th at 10:00 a.m.; News Briefs: Coastal Forest Products, a wholesale supplier of wood products to retail lumberyards, is planning a $20 million investment in its Chapman, Ala. facility. Georgia-Pacific (GP), a defendant in the forest roads case that was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, called the ruling a “significant victory” for the forest products industry. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has developed an Obamacare penalty calculator for employers. The Pallet Enterprise has published a tool to help companies know how to prepare for the new health care rules that go into effect next year.; Sawmills Mark Your Calendars for Forest Products EXPO 2013: Scheduled for June 5-7 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center, the show is shaping up to become the largest show of its type in many years.; New Jersey Eradicates Asian Longhorned Beetle: New Jersey is the second state to declare eradication from the beetle.;New I-9 Form Released: Employers must begin using the new form on May 7, 2013. more...
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What Business Are You Really In? - Mar 28, 2013
The pallet market has evolved into an industry where you are either primarily a manufacturer or a service company.; Recycle Record Staff to Moderate 9BLOC Webinar: It will take place live over the Web and on the phone on Tuesday, April 9th at 10:00 a.m.; Biomass Permitting Decision Coming Soon: This decision will determine whether a Clean Air Act permit is required to regulate emissions.; Pallet Picker Charged with Grand Larceny: He was accused of stealing over $2,000 worth of pallets from one business. more...
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Economic Indicators Suggest Rising Tide Amid Increasing Skepticism and Federal Government Uncertainty - Mar 28, 2013
Businesses drew down inventories at the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 due to concerns over the fiscal cliff debate in Washington.; Supreme Court to Hear Sierra Nevada Management Plan Case: Last year, a Court of Appeals ruled that the Forest Service had failed to properly assess the environmental impact on fish species as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).; News Briefs: Millwood Inc. and Liberty Technologies recently added three new hires to regional sales and business development positions. more...
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Supreme Court Overturns Forest Roads Ruling - Mar 22, 2013
Forest roads used for timber harvest do not require Clean Water Act (CWA) industrial stormwater discharge permits.; Profile Staff to Moderate 9BLOC Webinar: he webinar will take place live over the Web and on the phone on Tuesday, April 9th at 10:00 a.m.; Randy Bush Plans to Retire from the Virginia Forest Products Association: Bush’s relationship with the Virginia legislature has had a very positive impact on the forest products industry.; Business Intelligence -- Perform a Cash Flow Analysis: The purpose is to predict what your bank account will look like in a given time frame to enable you to maintain sufficient cash for operations. more...
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State of the Industry – Part 4 - Mar 15, 2013
Company Checklist – Ignore These Areas at Your Own Risk!: The strain of the industry can cause organizations to run on auto pilot and for problems to get ignored.: Housing Sector Continues to Rebound: New and existing house sales increased, with new sales indicating substantial gains – though statistically insignificant. more...
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State of the Industry – Part 3 - Mar 8, 2013
Supply Chain Management and Pricing Remain Key Concerns: Margins are thin and seem to shrink every year. Let’s look at the overall economic and supply chain issues affecting the industry.; More Obamacare Clarifications: Answers from Dr. Bob Graboyes, the health care expert for the National Federation of Independent Business.; Bills Seek to Include Forest Products in BioPreferred Program: The legislation addresses “the absurdity of wood products currently being excluded from the bio-based definition.”; Auction: March 17, 2013. more...
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State of the Industry – Part II - Mar 1, 2013
Obamacare – How It Will Impact Your Business: The new government reforms of the health care system have everyone worried.; Brambles Reports Modest First Half Growth: The parent company of CHEP and IFCO Systems, announced 5% sales revenue growth.; Loans Still Hard for Small Businesses: The number of small businesses receiving loans are still below pre-recession levels.; Pallet Picker Charged with Grand Larceny: Regardless of whether or not they have any marks on them, permission from the owner should always be sought before any pallets are picked up. more...
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NWPCA Meeting Review: Fresh Faces, New Ideas for New Directions - Feb 27, 2013
A review of some of the major topics covered as well as an analysis of the State of the Pallet Industry.; Brambles Reports Modest First Half Growth: The parent company of CHEP and IFCO Systems, announced 5% sales revenue growth in its combined global pallet operations.; New Window for ISPM-15 Bilateral Termination Suggested: Dropping the exemption of wood packaging material (WPM) going across the shared border of Canada and th United States has been in the works for years. more...
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NWPCA Conference Offers Ideas for New Directions - Feb 22, 2013
The industry certainly faces some serious challenges in chartering the way forward; Diesel Prices on Upward Trend: Prices have been rising steadily over the past five weeks; Pallet Design Course Available: The Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design at Virginia Tech will be holding a course on March 13 and 14; Wildfire Expected to Double: Two reports indicate how climate change is affecting U.S. farms, forests, grasslands and rural communities; Chinese Demand Continues to Drive U.S. Lumber Market: Economists believe U.S. bench-mark lumber prices could rise up to 25% this year; News Briefs: IFCO Systems has joined the food, beverage and agriculture Sector of The Sustainability Consortium (TSC); Millwood Inc. has opened a new Unit Load Test & Design Lab; A growing number of watermelon growers have partnered with PECO Pallet over the past several years. more...
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State of Union Highlights Legislative Agenda - Feb 15, 2013
The legislative priorities of the next year were identified even though many of these ideas likely will not become law any time soon: Key issues of importance to the pallet industry were discussed, such as immigration reform, Obamacare, the housing market, energy development, federal tax law, manufacturing growth and economy policy changes.; New Reports Explore Wood Pellet Industry: Two new reports intended to enhance understanding of the wood energy pellet industry. more...
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New Window for ISPM-15 Bilateral Termination Suggested - Feb 8, 2013
Government Officials to Explore the Potential of Ending Exemption: For years the United States and Canada
have exempted wood packaging material (WPM) going across their shared borders from having to comply with ISPM-15' NWPCA Annual Meeting Covers Hot Topics, Offers Great Networking Opportunity: On Saturday, February 16, the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA) will kick off its annual meeting at the Portofino Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Fla; Public Posting Requirements Now in Effect: Pallet companies with more than 10 employees should have posted summaries of their 2012 OSHA injury and illness logs last week; OSHA Updates Hazard Communication Standard: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its Hazard Communication Standard which applies to classifying and labeling chemicals. more...
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WPA Meeting Touches on Key Themes - Jan 31, 2013
Speakers covered key issues including legislative news, the changing dynamic on the West Coast lumber market, the future of the white-wood pallet industry, the U.S. heat treatment program, transportation challenges, the economic outlook and more.; Pallet Industry Labor Survey Deadline Extended: The deadline has been extended until February 25.; Pallet Company Closed for Non-Compliance: A pallet company was among several businesses in Detroit that were recently closed by city officials for operating without proper licenses and permits.; Delay Requested for Trucking Rule: Some members of the trucking industry are hoping that the compliance date of the new hours of service (HOS) rule will be delayed.; Pallet Industry Church Service Scheduled for NWPCA Meeting on February 17: This year the service is scheduled for 6:30 a.m.; NEWS BRIEFS: International Forest Products Limited (Interfor) is expanding into the Southeast with the acquisition of Rayonier Inc.’s wood products business.; Trees across the Midwest are continuing to die due to the widespread drought. more...
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NWPCA Calls for U. S. Rule Changes - Jan 29, 2013
National Wooden Pallet & Container Association members report both problems with companies outside of the official program as well as a lack of consistency in the interpretation and application of ISPM-15 by inspection agencies.; Ongweoweh Corp. Buys Pallet Consulting and Software Development Company: Ongweoweh Corp., a national broker and pallet services company, has added packaging consulting firm, White & Co, to its sales arsenal.; Pallets Thefts Occur in Georgia, California: Pallet and container thefts across the country have been making headlines again.; Pallet Industry Church Service Scheduled for NWPCA Meeting on February 17: The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association has had a Sunday Sunrise Service every year for over 15 years at its annual meeting.; Recycle Bits: Wood waste is now being used for bioremediation in oil fields. more...
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Canadian Association Looks for New Staff Manager - Jan 25, 2013
Bill Eggertson is no longer the executive general manager of the Canadian Wooden Pallet & Container Association (CWPCA); Pallet Thefts Make Headlines: Cases of theft are reported from one coast to the other.; Business Intelligence - Small Savings Add Up: If you are looking for ways to cut down on your business expenses, try looking at how small changes can add up.; News Briefs: LINPAC Allibert and Schoeller Arca Systems (SAS) have joined together under one name. California retailers have found the state’s new lumber tax to be confusing. more...
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Implement Fire Safety Measures to Reduce Risks - Jan 17, 2013
Several pallet-related fires have occurred over the past several weeks: This underlies the need for all pallet companies to understand the potential fire risk they face.; Tom Sadowski Leaves Smiling Legacy to Remember: Tom passed away at a young age of 51.; Business Intelligence -- Companies Find Ways to Avoid the Cost of Obamacare: because many small businesses cannot afford to provide the type of coverage prescribed by the PPACA they are finding ways to circumvent the requirement.; News Briefs: General Pallets in Raritan Township, New Jersey, was recently featured in a story that ran in The Star-Ledger. more...
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Ongweoweh Corp. Buys Pallet Consulting and Software Development Company - Jan 11, 2013
Dr. Mark White, a pallet and packaging expert and former head of the Sardo Pallet Lab at Virginia Tech, has sold his consulting company and the new software it has developed for unit load and pallet design to Ongweoweh Corp.; Fiscal Cliff Deal Impacts Business Taxes: The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) made permanent many tax cuts enacted between 2001 and 2010 and extended other tax provisions for one to five years.; Acutions! Associated Auction has two auctions scheduled for January 19 and January 26. more...
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NWPCA Calls for U.S. Rule Changes - Jan 4, 2013
ALSC agencies have required participants to remove marks from repaired pallets and wood packaging material (WPM) used in domestic transport; Pallet Industry Labor Survey: Completed forms must be submitted by January 18, 2013; Boiler MACT Rule Finalized: Wood industry members are being cautiously optimistic about the new rules, pending further analysis of the details. more...
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Brambles Buys Container Business - Dec 21, 2012
Brambles Limited, the parent company of CHEP and IFCO, has acquired an intermediate bulk container (IBC) business, with plans to expand its IBC offerings globally; Canadians Can Ship Lumber to U.S. Tax Free in January 2013: Thanks to provisions in the Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) between the United States and Canada, shipments of lumber normally covered by tariffs will be exempt in January 2013; Trees and Switchgrass can Work Together as Biofuel: Researchers in Louisiana are testing the viability of growing switchgrass, a fast-growing plant that is native to nearly the entirety of North America, among different tree species as a potential biofuel feedstock; Business Intelligence - How to Give Effective Employee Feedback: Providing effective employee feedback is a critical management practice, crucial to employee development, motivation and satisfaction. more...
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NWPCA Selects Wood Industry Veteran to Take Post - Dec 21, 2012
Brent McClendon, who previously led the International Wood Products Association (IWPA) will assume the top spot at the NWPCA in February 2013; First Impressions: New NWPCA President Shares His Outlook: Brent McClendon spoke on the phone with the staff of Recycle Record. He shared some of his leadership thoughts and initial perspective on the challenges ahead; Brambles Buys Container Business: The parent company of CHEP and IFCO, has acquired an intermediate bulk container (IBC) business; Recycle Bits: Kohl & Frisch, a major distributor of pharmaceutical and healthcare products in Canada, has extended and expanded its relationship with CHEP. The StopWaste Partnership and Reusable Packaging Association are offering grants of up to $30,000 to companies, non-profit organizations, institutions and public agencies who would like to incorporate reusable packaging into their transport and distribution. A blaze rips through a building at Hoyt Pallet Recycling Co. recently causing significant damage to its pallet repair facility in Hoyt, Kan.; Pallet Industry Labor Survey: You need to participate before the deadline to receive a FREE copy of the 2013 Human Resources and Labor Survey. more...
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NWPCA Selects Wood Industry Veteran to Take Top Post - Dec 13, 2012
The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) selected Brent McClendon as the next president and chief executive officer; First Impressions -- New NWPCA President Shares His Outlook: Brent McClendon spoke on the phone with the staff of Pallet Profile and shared some of his leadership thoughts; Financing Issues Impede Housing Recovery: The housing market continues its slow crawl toward a recovery; Business Intelligence Series: How to Help Workers Handle Change. more...
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California Pallet Company Obtains SFI Certification, Touts Environmental Credentials - Dec 6, 2012
Commercial Lumber and Pallet has committed the attention and focus it needs to certify that its raw material supply comes from forests harvested according to sustainable practices. Secure a free copy of the 2013 HR/Labor Survey analysis by participating. ISPM-15 trademark infringement case settled in six-figure range. Chicago area pallet wholesaler, Auggie Herzog -- a lifetime pallet industry friend passes away. more...
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Pallet Survey Suggests Recycled Pallet Usage Remains Strong - Nov 29, 2012
Annual pallet user survey offers snapshot of pallet usage and likely trends for the future. End of the year tax tips highlights strategies to save money and remain in compliance with IRS rules. Canadian trade group calls for firm dates in the removal of the ISPM-15 Exemption for shipments crossing the U.S./Canadian border. Confidential 2013 Human Resources and Labor Survey: We are asking readers to help both themselves and the industry by completing this survey form and returning it to us by the deadline. The survey can be found at http://www.palletenterprise.com/2013hrsurvey/
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Canadian Trade Group Calls for Firm Dates of ISPM-15 Exemption Removal - Nov 29, 2012
Leaders in Canada are calling for a decision to be made soon on the possible repeal of the transborder exemption for solid wood packaging material (WPM) traveling between Canada and the United States. Pallet Profile launches Business Intelligence focus. Product Protector dramatically reduces damage to pallets and products. Tips to make business meetings more productive. more...
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Election Aftermath – Same Result, Possibly Different End Game - Nov 21, 2012
The 2012 election hung like a storm cloud over every possible issue, and now that it is over, hopefully the federal government can pass a budget, develop a long-term financial strategy, and updated laws that have been waiting in limbo for years. Pallet survey offers some surprises and presents user feedback about trends in palletization and logistics strategies. more...
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Investment Firm Buys Potomac Supply for $10 Million - Nov 15, 2012
American Industrial Partners buys Potomac Supply Corp. for about $10 million. Start preparing for tax season now with these end of the year tips. Former pallet industry veteran wins Missouri state senate seat. OSHA fines small plallet lumber mill, Northeastern Wisconsin Wood Products. for 16 alleged health and safety violations.
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European Pallet Leaders Discuss New Phytosanitary Requirements, Emerging Trends - Nov 8, 2012
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European Pallet Leaders Discuss New Phytosanitary Requirements and Emerging Trends - Nov 8, 2012
One of the key issues covered was the possibility of requiring all solid wood packaging material cross the EU zone be treated according to ISPM-15; UFPI Closes on Purchase of Nepa Pallet & Container: Nepa was purchased by Universal’s subsidiary, UFP Washington LLC, and will do business as Nepa Pallet and Container. more...
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Report Suggests Manufacturing Sector Resurgence - Nov 1, 2012
A recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, a major consulting firm, suggested that changes are taking place that could favor U.S. manufacturing resurgence beyond just a typical recovery cycle. Websites offer voter guides and information.
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Are You a Pallet Expert? Pallet Companies Add Technical Expertise, Target Packaging Savings - Oct 30, 2012
Over the last year or so, a number of pallet companies with national or regional customer bases have started developing and marketing unit load and packaging design expertise beyond just performing a basic PDS analysis. Find out how companies are making this strategy work for them. Report projects pallet rental increase. CHEP USA receives ISO 9001: 2008 Certification. Lame duck session could impact tax policy and other key areas. The Reusable Packaging Association has announced its new officers for 2013. Universal Forest Products Inc. has acquired Nepa Pallet and Container. more...
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From the Desk of Jeff McBee: Universal Forest Products Acquires NEPA Pallet - Oct 25, 2012
Universal Forest Products Acquires NEPA Pallet: Universal Forest Products Inc. has signed agreements to acquire the operating assets of Nepa Pallet and Container Co., Inc. in Snohomish, Wash.; CHEP USA Receives ISO 9001:2008 Certification: CHEP USA has achieved certification as an ISO 9001:2008, Quality Management Systems compliant organization; Lame Duck Session Could Impact Tax Policy and Other Key Areas: Just which issues Congress tackles, and what the outcomes will be will largely depend on results of the November elections. more...
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Millwood Acquires Williamson Pallets Business - Oct 18, 2012
Lannes Williamson Pallets is closing its doors and selling its book of business to Millwood Inc., a national pallet and logistics company headquartered in Vienna, Ohio; Correction -- Update on PDS and Best Pallet Comparison: Previous articles in the Pallet Profile and Pallet Enterprise on the new Best Pallet® design software carried information that turned out to be either incorrect or in some cases incomplete. This included information comparing details between Best Pallet and the Pallet Design System (PDS. more...
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Brambles Announces Strong U.S. Growth, Reaffirms Strategy - Oct 11, 2012
The parent company of CHEP and IFCO Systems, recently announced that sales growth in its core wooden pallets businesses in the Americas region over the past three months offset tough economic conditions in Europe, Africa and the Middle East; NEWS BRIEFS: Detroit area media reported on a fire that engulfed J&G Pallet and Trucking Co. early on the morning of Wednesday, October 10th; A federal judge postponed the possible sale of Potomac Supply Corp. of Kinsale, Va.; A federal court recently refused to grant a preliminary injunction to halt a timber sale on U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property in southern Oregon. more...
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Brambles Announces Strong U.S. Growth, Reaffirms Strategy - Oct 11, 2012
The parent company of CHEP and IFCO Systems, recently announced that sales growth in its core wooden pallets businesses in the Americas region over the past three months offset tough economic conditions in Europe, Africa and the Middle East; NEWS BRIEFS: Detroit area media reported on a fire that engulfed J&G Pallet and Trucking Co. early on the morning of Wednesday, October 10th; A federal judge postponed the possible sale of Potomac Supply Corp. of Kinsale, Va. because the funding for the prospective buyer fell through; A federal court recently refused to grant a preliminary injunction to halt a timber sale on U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property in southern Oregon. more...
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Canadian Officials Consider HT Program Changes - Oct 4, 2012
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is looking to modernize its existing system and develop more stringent safeguards to prevent violations. It is considering changes to the existing heat treatment programs for lumber and wood packaging under the ISPM-15 standard; Roadless Rule Left Alone by Supreme Court: The management of over 58 million acres of federal forests, roughly 30% of the National Forest System, will remain under the Roadless Rule, which prohibits, with few exceptions, road construction and timber harvesting; Pallet Suppliers Keep Innovating Despite Tough Market Conditions: Three areas of growth over the last few years have been the U.S. auto industry, exports and healthcare. A number of the most recent innovations have targeted those markets; New Housing Starts on the Rise: Increases in new housing starts and existing home sales could signal recovery for the market; News Briefs: Axios Mobile Assets Corporation will begin shipping its new composite pallets in October; A pallet company in Kentucky has received preliminary approval for state tax incentives to help open a new location; A New York pallet company is planning to expand its recycling division. more...
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CHEP Announces New Robotic Inspection System - Sep 28, 2012
CHEP has recently selected a new automated 3D pallet inspection system made by Universal Robotics. iGPS signs agreement with Diamond Pet Foods. Canadian officials consider HT program changes. A Kentucky recycler has received preliminary approval for state tax incentives to help open a new location. A New York pallet company is planning to expand its recycling division. Axios Mobile Assets Corporation will begin shipping its new composite pallets in October. more...
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New Pallet Design Software Adds Choice to the Market - Sep 27, 2012
Unit load expert launches new pallet design tool designed for packaging professionals, pallet users, pallet suppliers and others; iGPS Signs Agreement with Diamond Pet Foods: iGPS has signed an agreement with Diamond Pet Foods. The pet food manufacturer will begin shipping its products immediately on iGPS plastic rental pallets. more...
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Modern Materials Handling Covers 9BLOC Pool Development - Sep 20, 2012
The coverage suggests the 9BLOC concept is starting to gain the attention of pallet users and the wider materials handling world; CHEP Announces New Robotic Inspection System: The global pallet rental giant, has recently selected a new automated 3D pallet inspection system made by Universal Robotics of Nashville, Tenn.; Hearing Scheduled for Southern Pine Lumber Design Values: The Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) has submitted proposed design values for all grades and sizes of visually graded Southern Pine dimension lumber; Paul Bunyan Show Coming Up: one of the largest and oldest forest industry trade shows in the country, will be held Oct. 5 to Oct. 7, 2012 in Cambridge, Ohio; Ongweoweh Adds Unit Load Expertise: Ongweoweh Corp. of Ithaca, N.Y. has developed a new position called the director of unit load technology and hired Dr. Jim Bisha; NEWS BRIEFS: Several conservation groups have filed lawsuits against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, protesting multiple timber sales in Oregon; Signs of improvements in Washington’s lumber industry have been reported. more...
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California Governor Approves New Timber Rules, Tax - Sep 13, 2012
California Governor Gerry Brown recently signed AB 1492 into law. This bill eliminates regulatory fees on California companies; EAB Found in Massachusetts: The invasive beetle was detected in the town of Dalton in western Massachusetts; News Briefs: The Asia Pallet System Federation and China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing will be holding the 2012 China Pallet International Conference in early December at TaiHu Lake in JiangSu Province, China. more...
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Small Signs Signal Housing Market Improvement - Sep 6, 2012
Small signs are pointing to improvement in the housing market, but there are still obstacles in the way. Emerald Ash Borer Found in Kansas: The discovery of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in Kansas makes it the most western state with an infestation so far. Canada Holds Potential for Wood Pellet Market: The wood pellet industry in Canada is in position to see some notable growth as a result of government energy policies, according to a new report from the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC). News Briefs: The governor of Georgia has issued an executive order to incorporate green building standards; Lumber producers in Canada are looking at the largest combined profit since 2006; A higher demand for lumber from Asia is causing lumber prices in the United States to rise; Combustible dust had been building up over time at a sawmill that experienced a massive explosion in April 2012; New orders for manufactured goods increased 2.8% in July. more...
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Brambles Forecast Suggests Subdued Growth for 2013 - Aug 30, 2012
Sluggish growth prospects for 2013 has some analysts questioning the short-term outlook for the parent company of CHEP and IFCO Systems. NWPCA Announces Executive Search Process: The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association has selected a group of industry leaders to serve on an executive search team. OSHA Citation Provides Learning Opportunity: OSHA cited Tricon Lumber for multiple alleged safety violations with proposed penalties totaling $128,700. more...
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Brambles Expects Continued Growth - Aug 29, 2012
During the most recent financial year Brambles generated sales revenue of US$5.6 billion, an increase of 20%. 9BLOC unveils tracking software solution, selected the masLogic™ software developed by iLogic. PointGuard test results show strong performance for hybrid wood-plastic design. The emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine in Virginia has been expanded to include the entire state. The reusable plastic container division of Georgia-Pacific (GP RPC) has been acquired by Tosca Limited. Pharmaceutical companies Abbott and Alcon Laboratories, are now partnering with Litco. more...
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Trends to Watch: Pallets Receive Mainstream Press Exposure - Aug 24, 2012
Slate magazine, a general-interest publication owned by The Washington Post,recently ran an article detailing the history and impact of the lowly wooden pallet. News Briefs: Pharmaceutical companies Abbott and Alcon Laboratories, are now partnering with Litco to meet their BP-free transit packaging pallet requirements through the company’s Inca presswood pallet; iGPS has appointed Phil Prain, Jr. as the new chief technology officer of the company; Timber supplies at mills in the Northwest United States have been growing, which could improve lumber prices in the region; U.S. Business inventories saw an increase in June with a total of $1,580.3 billion, up 0.1% from May and up 5.0% from June 2011, according to the U.S. Census Bureau; Connecticut has become the 16th state to detect the emerald ash borer (EAB) within its borders, finding the pest in Prospect, Conn. more...
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9BLOC Announces Tracking Software Vendor, Prepares to Launch Soon - Aug 15, 2012
Organizers behind the new 9BLOC pallet industry pool have selected the masLogic™ software developed by iLogic as its software platform. Life Cycle Analysis Shows Benefits of EUR/EPAL Pallets: A study from the Polytechnic of Milan concluded that an EUR/EPAL exchangeable pallet has a carbon emissions impact five times smaller than a plastic pallet. Georgia-Pacific Plastic Container Division Bought: reusable plastic container division of Georgia-Pacific (GP RPC) has been acquired by Tosca Limited, a provider of reusable container pooling and logistics services to the food supply chain.
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Gibson Resolves Lacey Act Case - Aug 10, 2012
Gibson Guitar Corp. has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve a criminal investigation into allegations that the company violated the Lacey Act by illegally purchasing and importing ebony wood from Madagascar and rosewood and ebony from India. Cocaine Found in Pallets: A large stash of cocaine was found hidden inside a pallet in Minnesota, just weeks after a similar discovery at a Canadian port; News Briefs: A United Kingdom based plastic pallet company is now offering RFID-enabled pooled pallets, and is thought to be the first company in Europe to do so; The U.S. Forest Service has released a proposed rule for an objections process during the administrative review process for proposed projects and activities implementing land management plans in Federal forests; iGPS has been named as a Top 75 Green Supply Chain Partner by Inbound Logistics (IL); U.S. hardwood lumber exports in May reached a 72-month high, with a total of 121.4 million board feet exported, according to the Woodworking Network. more...
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FasTrack Simulation Provides Critical Life Cycle Analysis for Pallets: PointGuard Results Show Superior Performance for Hybrid Wood-Plastic Design - Aug 3, 2012
When recently testing a new pallet protection device called the PointGuard, which is a one-piece plastic shield screwed onto two ends of a wooden pallet, FasTrack results indicated a 48 x 40 block wooden pallet equipped with a PointGuard could last up to 60 cycles. EAB Quarantine Expanded in Virginia: The emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine in Virginia has been expanded to include the entire state. Industry Friend Passes Away: Pete Sheldon, former owner of Sheldon Wood Products, recently passed away on July 19, 2012. News Breifs: Liberty Technologies, a Millwood company, recently hired Susan Elkins as new unit load technology senior packaging engineer; Enviva has started construction on its fifth industrial wood pellet manufacturing facility in Courtland, Virginia; Timber inventory in Georgia has more than doubled over the past 50 years.
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Ongweoweh Places $300 Million Pallet Purchase Order - Jul 27, 2012
Ongweoweh Corp., a national pallet management and brokerage firm, has announced a $300 million contract to buy and deploy the Axios composite pallet and technology platform over the next five years. A tribunal of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) ruled that British Columbia’s timber pricing practices do not circumvent the Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) as alleged by the United States.
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