22
PalletCentral • November-December 2022
palletcentral.com
manner than if we were building everything solely
here at our plant. We have been working on this
model over the last year and a half, and it is working
well for us.
And because we are so aware of this issue, we
have come up with equipment and controls, so
our customers need fewer people. We have a pallet
mill that will only need six people to run the mill
instead of the 20+ they had before using some of
our competitors' machines. We are continuing to
innovate with this in mind.
Data to watch? We mainly pay attention to what
customers and vendors share with us, along with
keeping up with what's happening in the world.
Ronnie Barrett
REGIONAL MANAGER
PALLET SYSTEMS AND
RECYCLING
e Texas market has remained
strong even through COVID
and inflation. We see the
market slowing some in 2023.
With the historic Federal rate hikes in 2022, we see
inflation slowing down. As the economy slows, we
do not see a spike in wages in the future. Inflation
will continue but at a slower pace.
Rolling into 2023, we see headlines of Amazon,
airlines, and railroad workers striking. We also have
the second-largest economy in China still imposing
COVID lockdowns. As long as unrest remains in
the labor force, we expect to see continued supply
chain disruptions in the future. With unemployment
rates rising, the pool of eligible workers will increase,
and the labor market will remain tight within the
With the historic Federal rate hikes in 2022,
we see inflation slowing down.
– Ronnie Barrett, Regional Manager,
Pallet Systems and Recycling
