Pallet Profile

Article Directory

Northwest Pallet Rebrands as Prime360, Outlines New Data-Centric Philosophy - Jul 23, 2020
More than just a new logo and name, the new identity reflects the direction for the unified company and presents some interesting ideas for the future of pallet recycling and markets.; Pallet HR & Wage Survey Released: The full report has now been sent via e-mail to participants. If you sent in data and have not received your FREE report, please contact Chaille Brindley at chailleb@gmail.com or call our office at 804-550-0323.; Industry Events Canceled Due to Pandemic: The latest cancellations include several major trade shows: the Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo, the East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Exposition, also known as the Richmond Expo, and the International Woodworking Fair.; Recycle Bits: If you’ve been closed at all because of the pandemic you and your employees may have questions about returning to work. A fire that started at a pallet company in Modesto, California, spread to vehicles at a bakery next door and caused $750,000 in damage. At the request of the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association, the USDA-APHIS extended the comment period on the proposed implementation of revised Lacey Act provisions. At the request of the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association, the USDA-APHIS extended the comment period on the proposed implementation of revised Lacey Act provisions. The American Trucking Associations issued its report on how the trucking industry fared in 2019. more...
Tags:

Northwest Pallet Rebrands as Prime360®, Outlines New Data-Centric Philosophy - Jul 17, 2020
More than just a new logo and name, the new identity reflects the direction for the unified company and presents some interesting ideas for the future of pallet recycling and markets.; Pallet Profile Launches New Reporting Categories: This is a new step forward for the Pallet Profile in meeting the growing requests of our subscribers, and our staff welcomes any feedback from our readers. Feel free to send your insights or suggestions to rick@palletprofile.com more...
Tags:

Industry Events Fall to Pandemic - Jul 10, 2020
The latest cancellations include several major trade shows: the Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo, the East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Exposition, also known as the Richmond Expo, and the International Woodworking Fair.; Pallet HR & Wage Survey Released: The full report has now been sent via e-mail to participants. If you sent in data and have not received your FREE report, please contact Chaille Brindley at chailleb@gmail.com or call our office at 804-550-0323.; Trade Associations Announced PDS Licensing Agreement, Offers Preferred Pricing in Canada: With this agreement, NWPCA now has exclusive country marketing agreements with Canada, the UK, Sweden, and The Netherlands. There are PDS users in more than 30 countries.; OSHA Develops Business Re-Opening Guidelines: These suggestions are helpful for all employers to implement, even to essential businesses, such as pallet companies, that may not have undergone a work stoppage.; NEWS IN BRIEF: 48forty Solutions has been named a Green Supply Chain Partner for 2020. The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis has unveiled a plan that aims to serve as a roadmap to help the United States reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The new U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is going into effect. According to a Material Handling Institute report, the adoption rate for robotics and automation increased more than any other supply chain technology.; Quarterly Regional Lumber Trends: These graphs illustrate the average lumber prices published within each region over the past year. more...
Tags:

Survey for Proposed Pallet Profile Changes, Additions - Jun 26, 2020
We want to hear from you about the proposed changes to the report. We have included a survey in this issue that you can return via fax or mail.we are looking to add 2x4 SYP, 2x6 SYP, 2x4 SPF and 2x6 SPF for five major regions (Northeast, Midwest/Great Lakes, Eastern South, Central South and Western South.); Summer Break for Pallet Profile: The Pallet Profile staff will not be published the first week of July. We are taking off for a week to celebrate the independence day holiday, break out of self-isolation and hopefully have some fun in the sun. The next publication date will be the second week in July.; SBA Announces Easier Form for PPP Loan Forgiveness: Congress recently unveiled a new form for companies seeking forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The EZ application can be used by employers that meet specific criteria. more...
Tags:

Congress Passes PPP Reforms, Provide Flexibility for Small Businesses - Jun 23, 2020
To solve concerns that there are some areas of the small business relief program that negatively impacted companies struggling to rebound after COVID-19 shutdowns, key changes to the original PPP were made.; OSHA Develops Business Re-Opening Guidelines: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed guidelines to assist employers and workers in safely returning to work and reopening businesses. This information is intended to supplement White House and other federal agency guidance. It focuses on the need for employers to develop and implement strategies for basic hygiene, social distancing, workplace controls and and employee training.; Recycle Bits: New York Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney introduced the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act of 2020. According to National Fire Protection Association standards for combustible dust, facilities using wood-based products must have a dust hazard analysis completed by early September. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) stated that its latest Driver Compensation Study shows that driver pay has climbed as rising demand for freight transportation services has increased competition. The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for wood pallets is close to being released to the industry. iGPS Logistics, the leading plastic pallet pooler in the United States, has received awards from logistics publications. more...
Tags:

Housing Going Stronger Than Expected, Plenty of Room for Improvement - Jun 19, 2020
Home purchase applications are up 21% from this time a year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. After a two-month slowdown, price gains appear to be back to the pre-crisis trend. Buyer traffic to new homes surged in June. It was still below normal levels, but the rebound is likely to encourage builders to speed up construction. In fact, that may already be happening, given the recent uptick in building permits.; NEWS IN BRIEF: The China trade deal signed earlier this year offered a glimmer of hope to the hardwood industry, but the pandemic got in the way.Two new studies point to changes in forests because of climate change. The American Loggers Council and its affiliated state logging associations are asking Congress to support proposed economic relief for loggers and log trucking companies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. more...
Tags:

Six Pallet Trends Identified by Modern Materials Handling Magazine - Jun 12, 2020
A driver for these trends is pallet user concerns due to COVID-19 as well as sustainability and other changes in the supply chain. It isn’t clear how prevalent they are, especially for white-wood pallet customers. But these are certainly things that alternative pallet suppliers are discussing with end users.; PPP Reforms Pass, Provide Flexibility for Small Businesses: The Trump administration may push another round of business aid targeted to specific industries that are still being hampered by closure restrictions. The PPP still has more than $130 billion in loan funds that are available for any company that qualifies and has not applied.; News Brief: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced two proposals that would expedite timber sales on federal land by reducing regulatory and environmental analysis. more...
Tags:

Profile to Launch Softwood Market Reporting In Summer - Jun 5, 2020
Let’s be honest, pallet users used to have a huge mental block against softwood pallets. But this is not really true. Both softwood and hardwood have positive and negative characteristics when it comes to pallet design.; NEWS IN BRIEF: New York Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, introduced the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act of 2020.; Auctions: FORMERLY SONOMA PACIFIC • THURSDAY, JUNE 18TH • 9AM PST • 1180 Fremont Dr • Sonoma, CA 95476 -- FORMERLY NORTH AMERICAN CONTAINER • THURSDAY, JUNE 25TH • 10AM CST • 2180 E Gaines St. • Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 more...
Tags:

NAFTA Panel Upholds U.S. Softwood Complaint Against Canadian Producers - May 29, 2020
It does look like some duty relief will come later this summer. The Commerce determined that the current countervailing and anti-dumping penalties should be reduced by half.; OSHA Updates COVID-19 Case Reporting Guidelines: Generally, employers are expected to make reasonable decisions about the status of COVID-19 cases despite having limited medical expertise. The new guidance is expected to make the process easier.; Congress Considers PPP Changes: The full House is expected to pass legislation that would give businesses that have secured loans under the program up to 24 weeks or December 31, 2020. more...
Tags:

State of the Industry – Part III Is Your Company Safe? – Substance Abuse and IT Security - May 22, 2020
From missed time to impaired skills or even violent actions, substance abuse can lead to all sorts of problems. In addition, another hazard that is frequently low on the priority list but could cause significant disruption are information technology (IT) security threats.; Virginia Tech Researchers Conduct Analysis of Plastic Pallet Sector: They have looked at material properties, design characteristics, recycled content, fire retardancy, strength reinforcement and more.; News in Brief; The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced final regulations to give truck drivers flexibility in limits on their driving hours. The U.S. Industrial Pellet Association is hailing an order from the European Court of Justice dismissing a case against wood biomass.The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has issued guidance for logistics and warehouse facilities to avoid the spread of COVID-19.; Early bird registration is open for this year’s National Hardwood Lumber Association annual convention. more...
Tags:

Fire Safety – Managing Risk Is Key - May 22, 2020
Most pallet companies are facing skyrocketing insurance rates. Many are struggling to even find insurance providers willing to cover their operations.; Kamps Inc. Expands into Georgia Market with Key Atlanta Acquisitions: Green Trip Recycling has been in business since 2013, providing companies large and small in the Atlanta area with recycled pallets.; Virginia Tech Researcher Indicates Most Plastics Pallets Are Produced from Virgin Material: An analysis of the plastic pallet sector looked at material properties, design characteristics, recycled content, fire retardancy, strength reinforcement and more.; more...
Tags:

State of the Industry – Part II: Risk Is the Name of the Game - May 15, 2020
COVID-19 has probably brought liability and risk concerns to the forefront. These are the issues that nobody wants to talk about. Risk management is among the most mundane activities you can handle in business. But doing risk management and insurance right can lead to a better night’s sleep too.; Kamps Inc. Expands into Georgia Market with Key Atlanta Acquisitions: The company recently bought Green Trip Recycling of Atlanta, Georgia. which has been in business since 2013, providing companies large and small in the Atlanta area with recycled pallets, new custom pallets and wooden shipping crates.; Pandemic Led to Roller Coaster Freight Demand: Compared to last year, volumes were down 22.7%.; News in Brief: More than 88,000 truck drivers lost their jobs in April. OSHA has released a new video and poster for employers and workers on how to properly wear and remove a respirator mask. The Virginia Tech SHARP Logger program will host two webinars to end the month of May, starting today at 1:00pm.; The 2019-20 heating season in the United States was a good one for the wood fuel industry. more...
Tags:

Provincial Government Delays Stumpage Fees, U.S. Softwood Lumber Producers Balk - May 8, 2020
U.S. lumber producers have announced their concern over measures that could further give competitive benefits to Canadian mills.; NHLA Unveils FREE Kiln Drying Webinars: Gene Wengert, the “Wood Doctor” will host a two-hour webinar on different topics related to proper kiln drying techniques for four weeks.; News in Brief: A likely global recession through this year and into next year will reduce demand for pallets and railway ties as a result of declining demand for consumer goods. The Railway Tie Association has named Ashley Goodwin as its new executive director. A fire at a pallet company in City of Industry that left one person dead. more...
Tags:

OSHA’s Response to COVID-19 and Its Effect on Manufacturing Facilities - May 1, 2020
These new guidelines are meant to cover primarily training, testing, evaluation, certification and other paperwork that may be difficult to complete as companies are fully or partially shutdown.; News in Brief: Lockdowns across the country have begun to decrease the number of available trucking jobs. The USDA Forest Service is offering to extend contract deadlines on certain timber sales issued before April 1, 2020. more...
Tags:

Pallet Companies Share Employee Care Practices During Pandemic Crisis - Apr 26, 2020
Most pallet companies have never stopped working during the COVID-19 pandemic because what they do is essential to keep goods moving through the supply chain.; Brambles Sales Up 6%, Responds to COVID-19 Surge Despite Higher Costs: One company that has been at the center of the fast-moving consumer goods supply during the pandemic is the CHEP pallet rental business.; Coronavirus Postpones EXPO Richmond: The COVID-19 outbreak has led public officials to limit large gatherings and EXPO Richmond has been reschedule for October 9-10, 2020.; Kamps Inc Acquires D&H Bark to Enhance Michigan Capabilities: Adding a new location will allow Kamps to better serve its existing customers in Michigan, grow the customer base, and produce bark and mulch at a higher volume.; more...
Tags:

Pallet Companies Share Employee Care Practices During Pandemic - Apr 24, 2020
Most pallet companies have never stopped working during the COVID-19 pandemic because what they do is essential to keep goods moving through the supply chain.; The House of Representatives Is Set to Approve More PPP Funding: Companies that have already applied and did not receive initial funding should be first in the queue for the second round of PPP money. more...
Tags:

Home Construction Market Update – Housing Starts Plummet in March Amidst Coronavirus Shutdowns - Apr 17, 2020
This sudden drop follows an upward trend as the housing sector had continued to gain significant momentum in 2019. When compared to March 2019 numbers, housing starts are still up 1.4% despite all the COVID-19 impacts.; Details Matter With PPP: For starters, there is no guarantee the loans will be forgiven. You have to submit an application to your lender. Fill out the paperwork wrong, and you may get a big “Rejection” notice even if your company suffers hardships due to COVID-19, and you retain workers.; NEWS IN BRIEF: The European Pallet Association (EPAL) has developed its CP pallet, a design based on the technical needs of the chemical industry. Researchers have discovered that two eastern softwoods have the structural stability to be used in cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction. NC State’s Lumber Drying Mini-Course goes online. J.D. Irving has re-opened a sawmill that was temporarily closed in Nova Scotia due to workers testing positive for COVID-19. more...
Tags:

COVID-19 Hodgepodge - Apr 10, 2020
Pallet and lumber companies need to plan and strategize to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic. Some pallet companies are super busy while others are seeing significant reductions in volumes. You have to do what you can to keep cash coming in.; Kamps Inc Acquires D&H Bark to Enhance Michigan Capabilities: The acquisition comes at an optimal time as the company looks to build upon national success and growth of their pallet and recycling divisions.; Federal Officials Offer Respirator Mask Guidance: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a major shortage in N95 respirator masks. OSHA issued new guidance allowing for re-use of masks as well as the use of expired masks and other protective alternatives. News In Brief: The Department of Labor just published OSHA’s new workplace poster—in English and Spanish—for reducing worker risk to the coronavirus. Access the Pallet Enterprise LinkedIn Group to keep up with the latest coronavirus developments. https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8133689/ more...
Tags:

Tale of Two Numbers – Employment Challenge and Paycheck Protection Program Overview - Apr 3, 2020
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act relief bill passed by Congress aimed at helping the United States overcome the coronavirus pandemic. Part of this package contains loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). These loans have much better terms than other SBA programs and can be forgiven without repayment if certain rules are followed.; Pallets Are Part of the Cure!: Our staff is working on an article for the May issue of Pallet Enterprise that celebrates how pallets are a critical part of the COVID-19 response. Please send any pictures or description of how your company is making a difference right now.; Brambles Receives Top Score on Global Sustainability Ranking: The parent company of CHEP, was recently recognized by the Dow Jones’ Barron’s magazine for its track record, and was recognized as the most sustainable company globally.; NEWS IN BRIEF: Employment types in the forestry industry are shifting in Montana. The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on a proposed rule change. Profile Regional Lumber Trends: Second Quarter average hardwood lumber price graphs over the past year are included this week. more...
Tags:

State of the Industry – Part I: Consolidation Amid Industry Growth - Mar 27, 2020
The industry landscape is changing. Increasingly, pallet customers are looking for fewer suppliers where they can have strong national or regional companies manage their pallet programs.; COVID-19 Pallet User White Paper: The purpose of this special report is to give a warning to the pallet using community about the potential for pallet delivery disruption.; Scammer Hits Pallet Enterprise Advertisers, Highlights Cyber Security Concerns During COVID-19: Increasingly employees are working from home, which means that threats are up. This incident highlights the need for everyone to remain vigilant during these times.; DHS Recognizes Pallets and Wood Products as Critical Infrastructure: Whether to consider pallet and containers as critical infrastructure is up to state and local authorities. It is not, nor should it be considered to be, a federal directive. more...
Tags:

Tips for Pallet Recyclers to Respond to Coronavirus Threat - Mar 24, 2020
The world has changed a lot since the industry met in early March in Naples, Florida at the Annual Leadership Conference. We have put together a useful and practical guide in developing a game plan to address COVID-19 impacts.; COVID-19 Pallet User White Paper: We have included as a separate pdf attachment this special report designed for pallet users and pallet buyers. It can also be downloaded from the Recycle Record/Pallet Profile online portal.; Recycle Bits: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified the pallet sector as “Critical Infrastructure” for the nation’s COVID-19 response. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) suspended trucking hours of service regulations for drivers transporting emergency relief in response to the coronavirus emergency.; Brambles Receives Top Score on Global Sustainability Ranking: The parent company of CHEP was recently recognized and received the highest score, becoming the most sustainable company globally.; Virginia Tech Analysis Indicates Continued Market Growth for Wood Pallets: The industry produced 513 million new wood pallets in 2016 which is a 21% increase since 2011. more...
Tags:

COVID-19 Pallet Buyer and User White Paper - Mar 23, 2020
Best practices guide for pallet users during the COVID-19 crisis in regards to pallet purchases and planning. This White Paper encourages companies to buy extra safety stock and to improve communications to ensure pallet delivery as the supply chain is stressed. more...
Tags:

Tips for Pallet Company Coronavirus Response - Mar 20, 2020
This week even very small pallet companies are probably seeing the need to get a plan in action. You have been through a lot in the past to make it in the pallet industry. You will get through this! COVID-19 Impacts Global Supply Chains & Manufacturing Operations: The best thing that companies can do is simply know their supply chain risks, and preemptively develop mitigation approaches. It can also be helpful to consider increasing the levels of buffer inventory.; Forest Products Industry Events Delayed, Postponed or Canceled Due to Coronavirus Restrictions: EXPO Richmond, which was scheduled for May 1-2 at the Richmond Raceway Complex will not be held as previously planned.; NEWS IN BRIEF: About 70% of China’s transport vehicles were back on the road the first week in March. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration suspended trucking hours of service regulations for drivers transporting emergency relief in response to the coronavirus emergency. A small levy on pallet users could help to offset the environmental impact of freight on the world’s oceans. more...
Tags:

Coronavirus Creates Perfect Opportunity to Develop Crisis Response Plan - Mar 13, 2020
It could become much worse than a limited number of isolated cases. This situation is the perfect time to evaluate your crisis response planning and communication strategy at your company.; Virginia Tech Analysis Indicates Continued Market Growth for Wood Pallets: The wood pallet market is going strong. New wooden pallet production increased 21% in 2016 from 2011.; NEWS IN BRIEF: In 2019 EPAL reported an increase of 1% or 1.2 million pallets produced or repaired, versus the previous year. The Professional Loggers of Maine have released a new report that shows that logging and trucking wood together contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to the state economy. It was announced at the recent annual convention of the Truckload Carriers Association in that proposed changes to truckers’ hours of service were sent to the White House on March 2. more...
Tags:

Trillion Trees Initiative ‘Feel Good’ Message? - Mar 6, 2020
The idea of planting trees to help fight global warming came from a 2019 study in the journal Science by Swiss researchers. They calculated there is enough land in the world for another 1.2 trillion trees, and planting that many would significantly cool the earth by sequestering about 25% of carbon dioxide emissions in new, growing trees.; NEWS IN BRIEF: Conifex Timber Inc. has announced that it has closed its transaction with an affiliate of Resolute Forest Products Inc. The Reusable Packaging Association has announced that it is seeking responses in its 2020 State of the Reusable Packaging Industry Survey. Crime Stoppers and the Salem, Oregon Police Department are offering a $2,500 cash reward for information that leads to the felony arrest of the person or persons responsible for starting a fire at Oregon Pallet. The New Brunswick Lumber Producers want the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement ratified as quickly as possible. According to a recent article on the FreightWaves website, six trends are set to impact logistics this year. The Florida Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are in a stalemate over how to spend disaster relief money. Hillary Franz, Washington Lands Commissioner, said last week that 100,000 acres of fire- and disease-prone forest land should be thinned annually. The U.S. Forest Service has developed the FireCLIME Vulnerability Assessment Tool to help scientists and decision makers. AUCTION: Onsite and Live Webcast Auction • Inventory of Assets of Hardwood Lumber Producer • Fowler Lumber Company, Gallatin, TN • Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 • 10:00 AM CDT • Gallivan Auctioneers • 317-227-3720; AUCTION: Complete Pallet, Recycling Facility • The Pallet Shop • Thursday, March 12, 2020 • 10 AM CST • 34 Sitka Rd • Milan, TN 38358 • 6 +/- Acres Commercial Land • Associated Auction • 800-598-3651 more...
Tags:

China Trade Dispute Update: Tariffs on U.S. Hardwoods to Be Removed - Feb 28, 2020
Some hardwood products will no longer receive a levy and are eligible for refunds.It is not clear at this time if some other hardwoods products will still be taxed.Work is underway to define exactly what that will mean for these products and what the definite tariff rate will be moving forward.; OSHA Electronic Reporting Deadline Approaching: Employers in the pallet industry with more than 20 employees are required to submit 300A data electronically. The deadline is March 2, 2020.; Rose Pallet Announces Ownership Transition, Becomes Fully Women-Owned Enterprise: Alan Rose, the co-founder and CEO of the pallet management and brokerage firm has transitioned his ownership interest to co-owners Mia Allen and Amy Olson.; NEWS BRIEFS: A massive fire broke out and was contained recently at the BDL Supply pallet factory in South Charleston, Ohio.; AUCTION: Onsite and Live Webcast Auction • Inventory of Assets of Hardwood Lumber Producer • Fowler Lumber Company, Gallatin, TN • Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 • 10:00 AM CDT • Gallivan Auctioneers • 317-227-3720; AUCTION: Complete Pallet, Recycling Facility • The Pallet Shop • Thursday, March 12, 2020 • 10 AM CST • 34 Sitka Rd • Milan, TN 38358 • 6 +/- Acres Commercial Land • Associated Auction • 800-598-3651 more...
Tags:

Independent Research Suggests Wood Rates Better Than Plastic for the Environment - Feb 21, 2020
As the only peer-reviewed, LCA study on pooled wood vs. plastic usage, this research seeks to provide unbiased analysis. The good news is that wood pallets have a competitive and compelling ecological story to tell.; News in Brief: Researchers have developed a method of protecting lumber from water and mold that could replace conventional pressure treating. A new technology that destroys pests in wood using radio frequency (RF) energy is close to reaching the market. Seneca Sawmill in Eugene, Oregon, was recently featured on a local news segment and was identified as a being a staple of the community. more...
Tags:

Pallet Focus – WPA Roundup – Fires, Wood Waste, Labor Concerns & More - Feb 21, 2020
The speakers spoke about developments within the WPA as its board has developed a strategic plan moving forward. In addition, pallet fires have become a major concern, especially in the West.; Wood Beats Out Plastic in Independent LCA Research: This is the first academic, peer-reviewed study to compare the life-cycle environmental impacts of different pallets in use, and it was performed without external funding that could potentially bias the findings.; CHEP Revenue Up in 1H20 Results: Seeking to lower costs, CHEP has pushed through a new recycler compensation program as well as lumber procurement initiatives. Labor and property costs continued to increase, and CHEP has been passing along these higher costs. more...
Tags:

Pallet Focus – WPA Review, Part III - Feb 14, 2020
A panel of industry experts spoke on wood waste residuals and potential markets. The following are some of the key concepts discussed by the panel.; Pallet Repair Surpasses New Pallet Production in the UK: For another successive year, repair/reuse has risen sharply andnow represents a greater volume of the U.K. market than new production, according TIMCON.; OSHA Increases Penalty Rates: The new monetary penalties will be nearly 2% higher.; OSHA Priorities for 2020: A number could impact the pallet industry, Powered Industrial Trucks, Lock-Out/Tag-Out, Walking-Working Surfaces.; Conner Industries Opens New Manufacturing Plant: The Tulsa facility has quick access to I-44 and is positioned to serve customers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas.; EPAL Develops New Half Pallet Design: The new layout of EPAL 7 half pallet perfectly meets the needs of European logistics. systems. more...
Tags:

Pallet Focus – WPA Review, Part II - Feb 7, 2020
Continuing a review of the topics covered at the Western Pallet Association annual meeting in California in January, one of the most interesting speakers was Carly Taylor, the co-owner of Oregon Pallets. She spoke on a devastating fire that hit the company’s Salem headquarters location last fall.; US to Lower Canada Softwood Lumber Duties in August: While duties will continue to be assessed until a resolution to the ongoing trade dispute, a lower rate could ease the burden on material coming into the United States from Canada. more...
Tags:

Pallet Focus – WPA Review, Part I - Jan 31, 2020
Pallet fires have become a major concern, especially in the West. And the issue was a hot topic at the Western Pallet Association (WPA) meeting in January. The WPA meeting is truly one of the best ways to get your feet wet in networking with others in the industry.; Mike Gilles, a Friend to the Pallet Industry, Passes Away: After joining Brewer, Inc. in 1973, Mike was involved in every aspect of the business. Eventually Mike bought the company in the late 1970s from Clarence Brewer who owned the company at the time. more...
Tags:

Recyclers Consider Options as New CHEP ARP Policies Set to Take Effect Nationwide - Jan 24, 2020
Nationwide the policies are set to take effect for all recyclers in March 2020. How can a recycler legally respond? Every company has to decide how it plans to deal with these recent developments.; Reward Offered in Oregon Pallet Fire: A four-alarm fire has been ruled arson. The Salem Police Department is asking for the public’s help to solve the crime. more...
Tags:

Recyclers Consider Options as New CHEP ARP Policies Set to Take Effect - Jan 24, 2020
Nationwide the policies are set to take effect for all recyclers in March 2020. How can a recycler legally respond? Every company has to decide how it plans to deal with these recent developments.; Equity Firm Buys Majority Stake in Kamps Inc.: The company provides nationwide pallet management services through a network of 25 company-owned and operated facilities and commercial partnerships with 60+ national pallet partners.; Recycle Bits: OSHA announced another increase in the maximum civil monetary penalties. Rose Pallet has become 100% women-owned. Fire authorities are offering cash rewards for information involving a suspected arson that took place at Oregon Pallet. Pallet plant arson incidents are on the rise. more...
Tags:

Equity Firm Buys Majority Stake in Kamps Inc. - Jan 17, 2020
With some more lucrative and innovative sectors in the U.S. economy, why is the pallet industry attracting some interest from private equity firms? The pallet sector is a non-consolidated industry, and it provides them another way to diversify their portfolio.; U.S./China Trade Deal Includes Provisions for Hardwood Lumber Purchases: The actual trade agreement highlights hardwood lumber products as well as the 400 level harmonized system codes for hardwood products and raw materials. more...
Tags:

Trucking Woes Continue, Considerations to Prepare for the Future - Jan 10, 2020
Overall in the first three quarters of 2019, transportation consulting firm, Broughton Capital, estimated that almost 800 carriers went out of business, about double the rate for the same period in 2018.; NEWS BRIEFS: The parent company of Kenora Forest Products in Ontario, Canada, has filed for bankruptcy. Universal Forest Products, Inc. is now operating under a new name: UFP Industries. The city of Anaheim has found a unique method for wildfire prevention — goats. The goods and services deficit was $43.1 billion in November 2019. The president of the Forest Products Association in Canada paints a positive outlook for the industry in 2020. more...
Tags:

Deal or No Deal Brexit – A Look at the Trade Situation in Europe and the Impact on the Pallet Sector - Jan 3, 2020
Without a deal, you are likely to see tariffs, more rules, and more stringent trade restrictions. If a deal can get done, both the UK and EU would avoid trade disruptions.; WPA Meeting Offers Strong Program, Great Networking Opportunities: The event is being held January 18-21st at the Ranch Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. It isn’t too late to register and book a ticket if you want to avoid the cold and develop some more industry connections. The WPA meeting has grown over the last decade and now includes representatives from around the country as well as a strong contingency from the West Coast and Canada.; Q1 Profile Regional Lumber Trends: These graphs illustrate the average lumber prices published within each region over the past year.; NEWS BRIEFS: Sales of new single-family homes were up this past November. AI and computer vision may have a huge impact on the wood pallet industry. President and CEO of AF&PA issued a statement thanking the U.S. House for passing the USMCA trade agreement. Are you compliant with electronic logging devices? New orders for manufactured durable goods in November decreased. more...
Tags:

EPAL Announces Partnership with Chinese E-Commerce Player, Enters Chinese Domestic Market - Dec 20, 2019
The strategic partnership between JD Logistics and EPAL will enable EPAL pallets to be distributed to partners throughout China via JD Cloud Box.; US-China Trade Announcement Includes Hardwoods: A FOX News clip mentioned that hardwoods are part of the trade deal with China and how other areas of agriculture also classified as manufacturing will be used to get to the $50B/year of agricultural purchases that the President and Administration were pushing for.; Holiday Schedule: Pallet Profile will not be published December 27, 2019, according to our regular schedule.; HR Survey Deadline Approaches – Get Your Free Copy Today! The deadline to submit a usable survey form and receive a free copy is January 3rd. This is our final deadline because we have to finish the survey analysis before the middle of January. more...
Tags:

Which Solutions Work Best: In-house or Off-site Pallet Services? - Dec 19, 2019
This article is designed to explore some of the pluses and minuses of various approaches. You need to run the numbers and do the strategizing to fit your operations.; HR Survey Deadline Approaches – Get Your Free Copy Today! Pallet companies in the United States that submit a usable survey response form by January 3rd will receive a free copy of the electronic results when completed in early 2020. more...
Tags:

Hardwood Leaders Develop Voluntary Promotion Coalition - Dec 13, 2019
The mission is to develop a clear, concise and overarching brand statement and promotion program that can be echoed throughout the supply chain.; HR Survey Deadline Approaches – Get Your Free Copy! Pallet companies in the United States that submit a usable survey response form by December 20, 2019 will receive a free copy of the electronic results.; NEWS IN BRIEF: Oregon lost a $1 billion timber lawsuit to 13 rural counties. more...
Tags:

Scoring Just How Green Is Blue - Dec 6, 2019
CHEP has deep pockets, but it also knows how to put forward a narrative that appeals to big customers, especially when it comes to sustainability and waste reduction.; Holiday Schedule: Pallet Profile will not be published December 27, 2019, according to our regular schedule.; HR Survey Deadline – Act Now to Secure Your Free Copy!: Your participation will help the industry and provide you with a valuable tool to gauge your position in the market.; News In Brief: Construction spending fell in October. The forest products industry has been hit hard in British Columbia. Canfor will shut down its sawmill operations for two weeks. Moody’s has lowered its outlook for the North American freight rail industry to negative from stable. Georgia timber owners are still recovering from the havoc caused by Hurricane Michael. Timber prices in the South still have not returned to the pre-crash levels of the early 2000s. New orders for manufactured durable goods in October increased.; Merry Christmas! We wish all of readers a joy filled and wonderful holiday season! more...
Tags:

California Still Is a Hot Spot - Nov 27, 2019
Concerns remain elevated across California due to an exceptional grass crop that has cured and dried in the middle and lower elevations.; Cold Temperatures Raise Winter Weather Exposure Concerns - Safety Guideline Review: Cold temperatures and increased wind speed (wind chill) cause heat to leave the body more quickly, putting workers at risk of cold stress. more...
Tags:

The Forgotten Forests - Nov 22, 2019
Only a few have mentioned the U.S. hardwood sector, which may have lost the most in trade escalation with China and actually has the least amount to gain. When President Trump talked in October about a possible deal in the works, noticeably absent was any guarantees of major hardwood of softwood lumber or wood products purchases from China.; NEWS BRIEFS: The president FEFPEB has challenged manufacturers to ensure that 100% of the wood they use is certified to be sustainably produced. The hardwood industry in Indiana pumps more than $10 billion into the state’s economy each year. more...
Tags:

NWPCA Offers Association Health Plan - Partners with NAM - Nov 21, 2019
Why join an AHP? Well, these programs usually come with lower premiums, less administrative costs, greater flexibility in terms of coverage options and fewer rules than traditional plans offered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Seizing on the size of NAM, the NWPCA is able to help its members join a very large pool with network resources.; HR Survey – Get Your Free Copy! If you complete the survey and submit a useable form, you will receive a free electronic copy of the results. All others will have to pay a hefty fee ($595) to see the results. If you do not have an e-mail address, a print copy can be provided to you for a mailing and handling fee ($12) for those who submit a usable form. more...
Tags:

NWPCA Offers Association Health Plan, Partners with NAM - Nov 15, 2019
This is something the industry has been asking for, but previous rules made it impossible. Despite some setbacks in the courts, AHPs are moving forward and being offered by some large organizations.; News Briefs: The ban on forest thinning efforts continues until federal agencies can provide data on how activities in those areas impact the habitat of the threatened Mexican spotted owl. Trump’s promise on the campaign trail three years ago in Eugene, Oregon to boost the state’s timber industry has not materialized according to one news report. Oregon State University (OSU) recently celebrated the grand opening of its new mass timber research facility. more...
Tags:

Freight, Trucking Are in ‘Transition’ and ‘Uncertain Times’ - Nov 8, 2019
The industry experienced its fourth consecutive quarter of annual declines following a lengthy stretch of gains going back to the third quarter of 2016.; HR Survey – Get Your Free Copy! If you complete the survey and submit a useable form, you will receive a free electronic copy of the results. All others will have to pay a hefty fee ($595) to see the results. more...
Tags:

HR Survey Reveals Interesting Insights & Trends - Nov 1, 2019
The 2019-2020 survey will be our sixth survey, but we need your participation to make it worthwhile. Our guarantee is that we will protect your data and only presents information that is not individually identifiable in any way.; NEWS IN BRIEF: Federal OSHA has released a new video detailing its general inspection process and the reasons for inspections. Universal Forest Products Inc. (UFPI) just released its third quarter results for 2019 reaching record net earnings. more...
Tags:

ICE Raids Nebraska Pallet Plant, Immigration Enforcement Tips - Oct 25, 2019
Officers detained 14 undocumented workers on immigration violations. According to ICE, 11 of the men arrested are from Mexico and three are from Guatemala.; Nation Celebrates Forests and Wood Products with Annual Focus: During National Forest Products Week, we pay tribute to the forest products industry for the important contributions it makes to our society and economy, and we recommit to keeping our wooded landscapes vibrant and strong,” President Trump stated. more...
Tags:

HR and People Insights from the 2019 Kingdom Conference - Oct 24, 2019
This is the fourth annual meeting which included speakers from the industry on a variety of personnel and HR topics as well as a plant tour of the L&R facility in Denver.; Pack Expo Highlights Corporate Sustainability Push: Reuse has been well established for pallets for decades. There was a limited presence from the pallet industry, though, with some plastic pallet suppliers and a few metal, corrugated and wood pallet displays.; Pooled Pallet Customers Share Insights: Most of these companies are major customers of CHEP, and they reported the primary reasons to prefer CHEP over other alternatives is pallet quality and availability.; Recycle Bits: Brambles released its first quarter update. American consumer spending slowed. U.S. exports of hardwood lumber to China have fallen. Brexit was on the agenda at the Timcon annual meeting. more...
Tags:

Few Details Released on China Trade Deal, U.S. Lumber Sector Awaits Bigger Deal - Oct 18, 2019
China’s top trade envoy, Liu He, met with President Trump and agreed on a framework to lessen trade tensions. The details are still to be worked out, and both sides could officially sign by November.; CBP Interception Highlights Wood Pest Concerns, ALB Eradicated in NYC: A closer examination revealed a live larvae boring inside a damaged shipping pallet. In all, CBP agriculture specialists discovered 14 live larvae within five shipping containers of waterslides from China. more...
Tags:

Pack Expo Focuses on Sustainability - Oct 11, 2019
It seems like reuse is an increasingly important component of marketing messaging for packaging suppliers. However, when you dig a little deeper, any emphasis on reuse is typically nominal at best.; Conner Industries Plans New Pallet Facility in Alabama: The facility expects to hire over 100 workers over the next year and has enabled expansion into a broader range of packaging services.; News In Brief: Logging truck drivers in British Columbia staged a demonstration last week. A joint NAFTA panel has given the U.S. three months to rethink its tariffs on imported Canadian softwood lumber. Brexit was on the agenda at the annual meeting of the Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation recently. more...
Tags: