Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1464021
6 PalletCentral • March-April 2022 palletcentral.com S upply chain. A term generally taken for granted, or even unknown, in the public eye took center stage the last two years. Today, it's a term widely understood to the global public. While most still don't understand the intricate nature of the supply chain and all that it entails, they certainly know that they don't have the things they need for their families when it is disrupted. Each cog in the supply chain wheel has been challenged in the last two years. From labor shortages and shipping containers held up on the coast, to mandates and restrictions and trucker protests, the public has SEEN what happens when one piece of the interconnected web is disturbed. Americans started asking themselves questions like, "Why is milk readily available but not cream cheese? Why is this brand of detergent available, but this one is not?" Never before have supply chain issues affected so many Americans. rough all the challenges, the wood pallet industry is doing the same thing we have always done; tirelessly producing for America. It certainly hasn't been easy. Despite severe labor shortages and increasing costs, our customers got the pallets they needed. We managed through it all and, in many ways, are more successful and stronger as an industry because of it. If I am forced to find something positive about COVID-19, we are now recognized as the essential businesses we are – and always have been. It has been an honor to serve as Chairman of the NWPCA. is has truly been a thrilling time and my passion for this industry only intensified while in this role. Although many of us are competitors, we have worked together through this crisis and the aftermath of the pandemic. I was honored and humbled to be a part of the first talks the Association has ever had with the White House discussing supply chain issues and lobbying through some of the critical issues we face as an industry. is has been a "once in a lifetime" experience, and I thank everyone involved in this organization for your support and partnership. I am very excited to pass the baton to Carolyn Beach (seen above) as the Board Chair. I know she will do incredible things for this organization and this industry. I look forward to supporting her, the NWPCA, and Brent's team however I can. ank you all again for the incredible opportunity to serve you. Sincerely, Mike Hachtman, 48forty Solutions NWPCA 2021 Chair 2022 SEASON SPONSORS Kiln-Direct.com 910-259-9794 | kiln-direct.com Mid Continent Steel and Wire 800-867-6245 | magnumfasteners.com Pallet Machinery Group 540-644-9220 | palletmachinery.com Pendu Manufacturing 717-354-4348 | pendu.com Profile Technology 800-369-4242 | profiletech.com PRS Group 217-291-0009 | prsgroupinc.com Rotochopper 320-548-3586 | rotochopper.com Smart Products 800-401-0099 | smartproductsinc.com Smith Sawmill Service 800-598-6344 | smithsawmillservice.com Vecoplan 812-923-4992 | vecoplan.com Viking Engineering & Development 800-328-2403 | vikingeng.com Board Officers Chairman Carolyn Beach, Westside Pallet Chairman-Elect Nick Wenner, Pallet Service Corp Past Chair Mike Hachtman, 48forty Solutions Secretary/Treasurer Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallet & Services. Director at Large Hinton Howell, Cottondale Wood Products President/CEO Brent J. McClendon, CAE Board of Directors Michelle Blizzard, Pallet Central Enterprises Henry Bowman, C&L Wood Products LeRoi Cochran, 48forty Solutions Dominick Davi, Greenway Products & Services Kathleen Dietrich, Commercial Lumber & Pallet Justin Hegsted, Challenger Pallet & Supply Alex Jimenez, Jimenez Pallets Bernie Kamps, Kamps, Inc. Bryan Kesting, Madison County Wood Products Kate Matz, Allegheny Recycled Products Steve Mazza, S&B Pallet Lindsey Shean-Snowden, Pallet Logistics of America Beatrice Vasquez, Oxnard Pallet International Director Mike Vrugteveen, Niagara Pallet & Recyclers Associate's Representative Bruce Kennedy, Mid Continent Steel and Wire FROM THE CHAIRMAN Reflecting on 2021 as Chair Caryn Smith