Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1099303
8 PalletCentral • January-February 2019 palletcentral.com INSIDE NWPCA N W P C A A N N O U N C E M E N T S A N D U P C O M I N G E V E N T S Economic Impact Study I n early January, NWPCA released the findings of an economic impact study (EIS) of the wood packaging industry. Highlights of the findings include: • The industry supports more than 173,000 jobs; generates an economic impact of US$31 billion. • Labor compensation reached $3 billion. • Direct revenue exceeded $10.7 billion, the highest level since 2007. • Production levels increased an average of 4% per year from 2009-2016, outpacing the overall economy. The NWPCA press release on the EIS was targeted to the national level, policy-makers, and Senate and House Ag Committees. The release reached an audience of over 83 million and was picked up by 164 media outlets. The study was funded by The Pallet Foundation and conducted by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in partnership with Inforum. State-specific materials are being developed for use in meetings with government officials, community advisors, and even your customers. More information at palletcentral.com. Working Together on EPDs, Energy Audit May Save You Money The U.S. Forest Service, Forest Products Lab (FPL) is conducting a life cycle assessment survey to the wood packaging industry as part of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) research project. This survey applies only to U.S.-based pallet manufacturing and recycling facilities. The project is funded by the Pallet Foundation in conjunction with the FPL. We've been arguing that we have the best environ- mental product compared to other materials, and now we get to scientifically prove it. Data on 170 million pallets is needed to validate the research, so we need both large and small companies to complete the survey. It turns out that completing the survey will also save you money! The initial feedback we're hearing is the energy audit aspect alone has been valuable. All data is submitted directly to the FPL and remains strictly confidential. Visit palletcentral.com/lcasurvey where you'll find the survey, an instructional video and further information. There are also member volunteers and staff contact information to help answer any questions. When the research is complete, the industry will have a certifiable environmental "nutrition label" for wood pallets that they can share with their customers and include in marketing. Global Wood Packaging Forum At Interpal 2018, more than two dozen industry leaders from every continent met during the Global Wood Packaging Forum (GWPF) to share ideas, concerns, and regional issues affecting the wood packaging industry. This was the largest gathering of global industry leaders to date. The GWPF's mission is to serve as a forum of global dialogue among national and regional industry associations. The leadership cooperates in the development of common positions on issues of mutual interests. The Forum's website is now live. Learn more at globalwoodpackagingforum.org. Around the Office NWPCA staff is busy preparing for the upcoming Annual Leadership Conference March 13-15 in San Diego. They are also planning for LIGNA 2019, May 27-31, in Germany. NWPCA will exhibit, present, and promote the Pallet Design System™ (PDS). LIGNA is the world's leading trade fair for woodworking and wood processing plant, machinery and tools. NWPCA's participation further supports PDS' growth as the leading global pallet design software. On the Road Brent McClendon, President and CEO, and Patrick Atagi, Vice President Advocacy & External Affairs, joined 200 other manufacturing trade association executives for the National We've been arguing that we have the best environmental product compared to other materials, and now we get to scientifically prove it.