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September-October 2019

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I 'm writing this letter fresh off another outstanding plant tour, this one in Toronto was co-hosted with our Canadian friends. It is clear the value of these events when nearly 400 NWPCA and CWPCA members invest their time and resources to attend. While networking and learning from others is highly rated at these events, what jumped out to me this year were the committee meetings. Everyone shared their ideas for what projects and products they feel NWPCA could develop to best help their business, and to best safeguard and advance our industry. One of the fundamental reasons an association exists is to add value to member companies. These are just a few examples that your Board of Directors is excited to share: The Board of Directors just approved a new health plan option for pallet manufacturers: • NWPCA is launching a health care program to meet the needs of our industry. We are working with UnitedHealthcare®, Mercer, and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) to provide a program with lower premium and administrative costs, and more coverage options. • The program is specifically designed for manufacturers with 2-99 employees, and these tailored plans offer flexible choices previously available only to larger companies. While employers with 100+ can also participate, they will be individually underwritten and issued a separate large group policy. This program is an NWPCA member-only benefit; plans are not available to member employees in all states. The association released a new version of the Pallet Design System™ 6.0. This latest version includes ground-breaking unit load design features related to corrugated boxes that minimizes damage and maximizes your profits. • This release is part of the association's significant and ongoing investment in PDS as the industry standard for pallet design. Many companies have told me how they completely integrate PDS into their operations. Long gone are the days of using the software for a 'printout' with one customer. NWPCA Committees have developed products designed to improve your market competitiveness. • From the popular brochure, "Identifying Wood Discolorations," – is it really mold? – to an upcoming Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Product Declaration for wooden pallets, NWPCA is investing in solutions to address our industry's most critical challenges. We are excited about these new and enhanced offerings. Your ideas and feedback on all the activities of the association are always welcome. Not everyone can attend one of our conferences, but everyone wants to maximize the value the association brings to your business. Sincerely, PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL WOODEN PALLET & CONTAINER ASSOCIATION BOARD OFFICERS Chairman Jordan Piland, Atlas Pallets/ A Div. of Williamsburg Millwork Corp Chairman-Elect Frank Shean, Valley Pallet. Past Chair Larry Howell, Cottondale Wood Products Secretary/Treasurer Mike Hachtman, Relogistics Services Director at Large Carolyn Beach-Skinner, Westside Pallet President/CEO Brent J. McClendon, CAE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Peter Berry, Berry Industrial Dominick Davi, Greenway Products & Services Kathleen Dietrich, Commercial Lumber & Pallet David Grimes, Pallet Resources of NC Bernie Kamps, Kamps, Inc. Bryan Kesting, Madison County Wood Products Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallets & Services Joe O'Brien, Industrial Pallet Shane Thompson, WestWind Logistics Howe Wallace, PalletOne Nick Wenner, Pallet Service Corp. International Director Mike Vrugteveen, Niagara Pallet & Recyclers Associate's Representative Randy Panko, Wood-Mizer International Director Emeritus Jan Fredell, Fredells Travaru AB NWPCA 6 PalletCentral • September-October 2019 palletcentral.com 2019 SEASON SPONSORS Kiln-Direct.com tel: 910-259-9794 | kiln-direct.com Mid Continent Steel and Wire Corporation tel: 800-867-6245 | mcswusa.com Pallet Machinery Group tel: 540-644-9220 | palletmachinery.com Pendu Manufacturing, Inc. tel: 717-354-4348 | pendu.com Profile Technology Inc. tel: 800-369-4242 | profiletech.com Rotochopper, Inc. tel: 320-548-3586 | rotochopper.com Smart Products tel: 800-401-0099 | smartproductsinc.com Smith Sawmill Service tel: 800-598-6344 | smithsawmillservice.com Universal Fastener Outsourcing tel: 800-352-0028 | 911-nails.com Viking Engineering & Development tel: 800-328-2403 | vikingeng.com MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Value, Service & Substance: NWPCA Launches New Products for Members Brent J. McClendon, CAE NWPCA President/CEO

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