Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1498036
22 PalletCentral • March-April 2023 palletcentral.com so – the UK and other European countries are now requiring it. e certified sustainable story for the wooden pallet is a huge selling point for the industry (www.palletcentral.com/epd). Overall, the workplace is moving from a linear focus to a kaleidoscope effect. Where to work and how to work is now a choice, a post-COVID fallout. "You must consider different possibilities, even in manufacturing. We must create a culture where connections are made, and hybrid work solutions are available. It is a new world; it is time to create whatever we want to create." She encouraged attendees to invest in the workforce in hard times and good times. To retain people, employees need to fully understand your purpose and mission. Businesses that plan for inevitable business disruption, which is coming every five years, will adapt and grow. Adopt the perspective that good can come from it, and your team can help you. Seeing Trees in the Forest Dr. Brooks Mendell, President & CEO, FORISK explained the current landscape of timberlands. "A tree has no value unless you can sell them so that they are turned into something else," was the premise of his talk. He assured attendees that there is plenty of wood to be had, and that key timber- providing countries are managing their supply responsibly. e core issues to wood supply chain were availability, accessibility, the fallout from recent regional fires, and workforce shortages, mainly in trucking. "Capital investments are growing in the south," notes Mendell, making it a vibrant wood economy. "e Pacific Northwest, like Oregon, was growing more wood than they were using. But now, the inventory is declining because of the recent fires. Mature trees and young trees were both burned. Washington is more available, but still bad." In 2020 alone, fires in Oregon, Washington, and California burned some three million hectares, marking the West Coast's worst fire season in at least 70 years. e workforce issues are rampant in trucking. Loggers are getting younger, under 35 years old, truckers are getting older, over 35 years old, and many are retiring with no one replacing them. While teams are available to harvest the wood, the issue is getting it out of the forest. In fact, the American Trucking Associations estimates that the industry has a shortfall of nearly 80,000 drivers, a number that's only expected to grow. When looking at hardwood and softwood, Mendell said, "Every few years we evaluate the south and west as to what users will be attracted to in the regions. With a shortage of workers, accessible hardwood is the challenge because of where it grows best, streamside or high places. Hardwood is a come- along product. Newest capital investments are being made in Virginia and North Carolina, and more hardwood will come as a default." "Mills are losing hardwood capacity, closing, or are converting to softwood, either fully or partially," notes Mendell. "Overall, it is a tough business to be in. ey are losing employees; for instance, in the south they have had 11 consecutive quarters with a decline in workers. e good news is we are 1.2% more productive each year, so every year we can produce same amount of wood with less employees." Carbon storage in forestry is a rising topic, but it isn't profitable, yet. "ere's a fear that we will lock up forests, but when you walk an owner through the math, it is not competitive with logging. One of the highlights for attendees is the ability to network and share ideas.