Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1488820
8 PalletCentral • November-December 2022 palletcentral.com I t's the most wonderful time of the year, as the holiday season has already begun. We reflect on the past two months filled with plant tours, and the completion of significant enhancements in the Pallet Design System™ (PDS), among other items, as you read below, as the staff is already hard at work making plans for what's to come next year. ese are exciting times ahead, and we thank our members for your ongoing support and trust in us. Fall Plant Tours Wrap-up O ur Fall Plant Tours wrapped up from October 18-19 in Augusta, Georgia. Special thanks to our gracious tour hosts, Battle Lumber Company and Heart Wood Products. e tours at Heart Wood Products, which operates two full-time shifts, and produces 120,000 pallets per month, were also enjoyed by Congressman Rick Allen and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Before meeting with the leadership teams at Heart Wood and NWPCA, these lawmakers saw firsthand the critical role of the pallet industry in moving goods around the world and met with the essential workers who make all this happen. Governor Kemp is known throughout the state for his dedication to forestry, manufacturing, and conservation. It was an honor to have him and Congressman Allen join our tours, speak with our attendees, and meet the workers. Congressman Allen said of his visit, "Forestry is incredibly important to my district and the entire state of Georgia. I represent the 'Wood Basket of America,' where more than 60% of the whole volume of the wood harvest in the United States comes from." He added, "We must also work to create a regulatory environment that enables businesses to succeed. e best way to do that is by reducing taxes, cutting burdensome regulations, and investing in the American workforce." e tour of Battle Lumber Company in Wadley, Georgia, was impressive as we drove through and toured various segments INSIDENWPCA NWPCA Announcements and Upcoming Events of its 462-acre facility. Battle Lumber is an industry leader in manufacturing grade lumber, pallets, cross ties, crane mats, and byproducts. ey are one of the country's largest hardwood sawmills on one site. Kudos to the great teams at Heart Wood Products and Battle Lumber Company for the fantastic tours. All the volunteers involved enabled our members to enjoy their experience at their facilities. Receptions with our table-top exhibitors were lively and productive. Special thanks to our sponsors for their continued support: Automated Machine Systems, HUB Industrial, Pallet Machinery Group, PRS Group, Viking Engineering & Development, and Heart Wood Products for sponsoring the lunch. Various photos by David Lieber/Profile Tech