Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1141207
8 PalletCentral • May-June 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 The Pallet Foundation Graduate Fellowship Awarded M ary Paz Alvarez, Virginia Tech, has been awarded with the NWPCA/Pallet Foundation Graduate Fellowship. This fellowship provides for a highly qualified graduate student to conduct research to investigate the interaction between pails, drums and pallets. The research not only examines potential load bridging and unique stress distribution caused by pails and drums but also explores how the pallet affects the strength of pails that could offer a significant cost reduction to the industry. The research data will be combined with NWPCA's pallet engineering know-how and implemented in the Pallet Design System™. This is expected to dramatically improve both the safety and efficiency of unit load material handling. Mary is from North Carolina State University where she just completed her bachelor's degree in Sustainable Materials and Technology. She begins her studies in Blacksburg during the 2019 summer session. NWPCA Opens Registration for the 2019 Fall Plant Tours This year's Fall Plant Tours take place from October 1-2, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario. NWPCA is co-hosting the event with the Canadian Wood Pallet and Container Association (CWCPA). Our Plant Tour hosts include: Pallet Management Group, Topax Protektive Packaging, Weston Forest Products, and Woodbridge Pallet. This very popular event has sold out for the past four years, so register now. Early-bird registration ends on July 31. The rate is $695 USD per person; group discounts are also available. Learn more at palletcentral.com/recyclersconference. Passport reminder – check the expiration date of your pass- port now; if your passport expires on or before April 30, 2020, you should renew your passport as international travel requires the expiration date on U.S. passports must be at least six months beyond your travel dates. On the Road, Around the World As a member of the Softwood Export Council (SEC), NWPCA was represented at IMEXFOR 2019 from May 30-June 1 in Puebla Mexico. Annette Ferri, Vice President of Communications,