Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1212207
16 PalletCentral • January-February 2020 palletcentral.com A Bigger Global Stage These past few years, leadership has solidified and strengthened NWPCA's role as an international 'go-to' organization. Last year's Interpal conference, co-hosted with the Canadian Wood Pallet & Container Association, had 620 people represented from 25 countries. The partnership with CWPCA grew stronger. In October, they served as co-hosts to the 2019 Fall Plant Tours in Toronto, providing us greater access to Canadian facilities. Our President/CEO Brent McClendon presented at the European Federation of Wooden Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) conference in Hamburg. A meeting of the Global Wood Packaging Forum coincided with FEFPEB. NWPCA Board Chair Jordan Piland and Past Chair Larry Howell joined McClendon in Hamburg. Our work is advanced significantly because of our volunteers who support us as partners during these meetings. Stronger with Science, Advancements in Industry The Pallet Foundation, through the NWPCA, has done the science through verifiable, third-party partners and crunched the numbers. With research conducted by Virginia Tech, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Forest Products Lab, and National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the NWPCA has built the credibility to advance our members' businesses at the global, national and local levels. The landfill avoidance study last year from Virginia Tech showed that industry has a 95% recycle rate – the highest recycle rate compared to other packaging materials. And the economic impact to the U.S. economy from wooden pallets and containers is huge – we are a $31 billion industry, according to NAMs research. Each of these studies positions the industry and helps identify and communicate our industry's strengths to pallet users, and legislative and regulatory bodies. By mid 2020, the results of the life cycle assessment, environmental product declaration will be in and will provide the industry with certifiable information on the environmental impact of a wood pallet. No other material in the sector will be able to match it. Strategic Planning and Positioning: NWPCA and the Pallet Foundation Our volunteer leadership and staff work closely to advance our mission and achieve our vision. We invest in annual processes for governance training for Chair, Chair-Elect, and operating strategic planning sessions for the NWPCA's Board of Directors. The Pallet Foundation has been brought into this process and just launched multiple task groups to advance their goals. Nature's Packaging® is amping up its work in 2020, with a greater focus on digital marketing, blogs, and optimizing SEO best practices. The Pallet Foundation has a clear plan, solid finances, and a strong record of successes to build on from funding and delivering necessary research for the industry. The future of NWPCA and our members is strong. New staff Grace Johnson joins us as manager of policy and public affairs to help raise our profile, and ensure we are well-positioned to address the challenges ahead. NWPCA is working for you now and the years ahead by continuing to work bigger, stronger, and smarter. There is much more to accomplish. Industrial Truck Safety Development Foundation – Board of Directors NAM, Council of Manufacturing Associations – Board of Directors American Lumber Standards Committee – Executive Committee and Board of Directors U.S. Industry Trade Advisory Committee – ITAC 5, Security-cleared Advisor North American Forest Partnership – Board of Directors Virginia Tech, College Natural Resources & Environment – Dean's Advisory Council NWPCA holds Leadership Positions in the Following: