Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1453353
36 PalletCentral • January-February 2022 palletcentral.com at a granular level (read: pallet) and quickly coalesce into a significantly positive data point system wide. Collection: Developing key performance indicators (KPIs) to use as a benchmark to track progress are integral to success. is helps businesses focus on their environmental goals. As an expert in recycling processes and renewable wood products, your input into those KPIs will be critical. Luckily, all of this data is collected as a regular part of the services provided. Commitment: Service providers (like pallet companies) gain commitment from their customers by incorporating business practices that mirror the sustainability goals of their customers. is can include facility tours that demonstrate real recycling processes in action and set expectations correctly with customers. Customers must understand that your services amplify their effort toward achieving their sustainability goals and contribute to the bottom line. Connection: Customers want to build on their successes in sustainability and engage with suppliers who understand this concept. Collaboration among businesses units within a customer's business organization is compounded with optimization of their processes that reduces cost, waste, and environmental risks in the business operation. Wood pallets and packaging touches just about every business unit in some way, whether it be data, actual products, or services provided at the dock. Connecting those dots for the customer are crucial. Evaluation: Beyond KPI metrics there will always be the need to review and re-align with customer sustainability goals. ese points of communication must be more than numbers in a spreadsheet or nice-looking reports with colorful infographics. An evaluation of service performance that is done regularly, whether quarterly or semi-annually, is integral to the progress of any sustainability initiatives. It will also help you as a service provider to address any concerns with the customer and help you achieve credibility as the invaluable sustainability expert. Navigating successfully through these points to help a customer attain supply chain sustainability is complicated. Nonetheless, every wood packaging business in the industry should adopt these pillars to help promote our industry as sustainable, renewable, and recycling pioneers. Glenn Meeks is a content writer focused on the forest products and supply chain space, and a regular contributor to the naturespackaging.org blog.