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Housing Sector Challenges Raise Concerns for Short-Term Lumber Markets - Oct 20, 2023
The high interest rates are keeping people in their existing homes, which means that those who do need housing are looking to new construction. That’s good news for the forest products sector.; National Forest Products Week, Federal Government Recognizes Success of CLT Development: The USDA’ s Forest Service is making nearly $50 million in grant funding available for projects that support crucial links between healthy forests, strong rural economies and jobs in the forestry sector. more...
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Panel Calls for Further Review of U.S. Softwood Trade Actions - Oct 13, 2023
Most U.S. timber is harvested from private land at market rates. By contrast, most Canadian lumber is procured from federal and provincial lands with low government-set stumpage fees. The core of the disagreement centers on two different approaches to procuring and valuing timber.; Brambles Continues Research and Development in Pallet Tracking: The company reported improved cash flow after a number of years of significant pallet price inflation. Looking to the future, Brambles is clearly turning its attention to growth after a few years of capacity constraints.; WPA Master Learning Group Focuses on Women in Leadership: There are a limited number ofseats for this special women-only event so register now to make sure you’re included in the discussion scheduled for October 19, 2023, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (PDT). more...
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2023 Holiday Retail Sales Looks Like a Grinch - Oct 6, 2023
Last year, the U.S. holiday season grew 5.3% over 2021 to $936.3 billion, fell short of the National Retail Federation’s forecasts. Inflation, high interest rates and sluggish economic growth spooked shoppers. It looks like we are in for more of the same this year, but projections are for an even worse holiday season.; Pallet Book Revised for 20th Anniversary Edition: Pallets: A North American Perspective was written to provide a basic understanding of the pallet to those both inside and outside of the industry, and is ideal for anyone who produces, recycles, buys or uses pallets in their everyday job and wants to know more about how this critical element of supply chains can make materials handling run better. more...
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Pallet User Survey Finds Growth in Use of Non-48x40 Pallets - Sep 28, 2023
Other than the fact that it has become the de facto footprint standard, there is nothing magical about 48x40 pallets. It will be interesting to see how this trend potentially changes over the next year as the shortages endured during the pandemic are transitioning to massive oversupply of 48x40 used pallets this year.; Brambles Announces Future Plans, Works to Improve Asset Utilizations: During the pandemic, CHEP struggled to supply customers as retailers and shippers held onto CHEP pallets due to excess inventories and pallet procurement difficulties. This resulted in less pallets flowing back into the CHEP network, and the company focused on its core customers leaving seasonal clients looking for anything they could find on the open market.; Freight Capacity Concerns Could Arise This Winter: When truck capacity got squeezed during the pandemic, prices skyrocketed leading to new or retired drivers entering the market. Now that the economy is slowing and there is way too much capacity, rates have dropped and so has the growth rate.; Remembering an Industry Veteran: Randy Panko was the face of Wood-Mizer blades to many in the pallet industry. He recently passed away and will be missed by family, friends and colleagues.; White Paper Covers Massive Influx of Cores into Market: The Recycle Record has just published a White Paper titled “Let’s Make a Deal.” This report, included in this issue, covers recent trends as the recycled pallet market has been in a major corrective position over the last several months. more...
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Brambles Releases 2023 Sustainability Review Focusing on “Regeneration” - Sep 28, 2023
The major focus for CHEP’s plan is creating regenerative supply chains with the ability to put back more than is taken out of the environment. A key way that CHEP meets this goal is through extensive tree replanting efforts. Beyond just planting one tree for every one used in its pool, the company has set and met a goal of planting two trees for every one used in maintaining and growing its pool.; PLA Opens New Plant in Northwest Arkansas: The new service center adds new and recycled pallet supply, repair, and retrieval services to the reverse logistics, transportation, and 3PL services provided to customers throughout the greater Northwest Arkansas area. more...
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Washington Roundup – Legislation Grinds to Halt as Shutdown Looms - Sep 22, 2023
Currently, the federal government runs out of money on September 30th without any new congressional action. Previous stalemates have led to some partial shutdowns. But these never last too long. However, these battles don’t do a lot to build consumer and investor confidence.; NEWS IN BRIEF: Nearshoring is becoming a much larger trend. The Decorative Hardwoods Association (DHA) recently highlighted new restrictions on exports.; Remembering an Industry Veteran: Randy Panko Randy was the face of Wood-Mizer blades to many in the pallet industry. He recently passed away and will be missed by family, friends and colleagues. more...
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Let's Make a Deal -- Summer/Fall 2023 White Paper - Sep 19, 2023
This report covers recent trends as the recycled pallet market has been in a major corrective position over the last several months. And prices are moving down quickly. This White Paper explains the causes as well as the market lessons and difficulty in pegging exact prices. more...
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MMH Survey Suggests Non-48x40 Pallets Are Growing in Popularity - Sep 15, 2023
Changes in pallet types were likely driven by shortages during the pandemic. Also, companies are realizing that they can use similar pallet sizes for cheaper prices. Other than the fact that it has become the defacto footprint standard, there is nothing magical about 48x40 pallets.; EPAL To Crack Down on Illegal Wood Coming from Ukraine: In a world where environmental purchasing and sustainability is a large concern for major pallet users, ensuring legal sourcing is critical. EPAL has faced inferior or fraudulent Europallets in the past coming from countries in eastern Europe. This is just the latest challenge when it comes to unscrupulous players looking for ways to cut costs. more...
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Part II — Brambles Announces Future Plans, Works to Improve Asset Utilizations - Sep 8, 2023
To remedy the depleted supply situation, CHEP worked to recondition more broken pallets, locate strays and has added some pallets to its pool. Also, as the economy has slowed and retailers have destocked, huge inflows of millions of pallets has occurred.; Freight Capacity Concerns Could Arise This Winter: So, what does this mean for pallet companies? Over the past year, trucks have been easy to find, and rates have been decreasing. Excess capacity has replaced the shortages found during the pandemic. But this trend is not likely to continue. more...
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Part I — Brambles Releases 2023 Results, Pool Efficiency Gains Achieved - Sep 1, 2023
The driver for revenue growth this year was not higher volumes or big new customer wins. Instead, Brambles was able to finally recoup inflationary costs as many long-term contracts reset at higher pricing.; New Study Questions Wood Product Sustainability: Unfortunately, just when we seem to be making progress, another questionable report comes out that is touted by those who would prefer that our forestlands remain untouched and unmanaged. more...
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