Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1511664
16 PalletCentral • November-December 2023 palletcentral.com pallets, loading docks and two acres under roof to streamline production and increase efficiency. All the while, we were also preparing for the trial and getting justice for my dad, as well as bringing attention to an issue of growing national concern. I testified repeatedly in Washington, D.C. and Columbus, Ohio to help pass our distracted driving bill. In fact, Ohio Governor John Kasich Jr. remembered meeting me at a rally in Youngstown where I pressed him for support of our cause, and he invited me and my mom into his office when he signed the bill into law. It wasn't unusual for me to get up at 4 a.m. and drive to a hearing, return to my office to work until end of day, rush home to feed the kids and attend their functions then jump back into my work until bedtime. ere was not much time for sleep. Family Is the Backbone DJ was extremely instrumental during this rough period. He was able to be onsite and lead our team. He brought his 25 years of sales, service, and logistics knowledge with him as well as the ideas of building layers of management and accountability when he left his position as the regional sales representative for Andersen Windows in 2009. Iron City Wood Products focuses on recycling odd size pallets. DJ has diversified our product line to include an emphasis on building combination pallets out of new and used material, as well as adding heat treating capabilities for exporting pallets. We currently move approximately 1.3 million pallets through our facility annually. e addition of our two sons, Andrew and Brandon, and son-in-law, Tucker Cope, to our team during high school and college allowed us to add a grinder approximately six years ago. ey were able to grind and dye pallets and scrap material we produced that could not be recycled onsite to be sold as mulch to local landscaping wholesalers. ey have recently handed off this function and are now moving on to other areas as part of our transition to the third generation. In May 2023, Andrew graduated from e College of Wooster with a degree in Business Economics and Tucker graduated from Case Western Reserve University with his Master's degree in Civil Engineering. ey have both recently joined our team full time and are learning from the bottom up. ey bring with them a greater understanding of technology and how we can embrace it as we continue to grow and change. Moving Forward When my dad was killed, we had approximately 70 laborers and 15 drivers. My dad had continued his role as a truck driver, and even wore the same uniform as the employees, up until his death and had a special bond with them. When he died, the drivers drove their semitrucks to the funeral and the procession afterwards to pay their respect. News cameras even reported on it. My 94-year-old grandfather saw all the trucks pull into the church parking lot and he cried more. He never knew that my dad had grown such a large and successful company because my dad was truly humble. We have overcome many obstacles and were fortunate enough to celebrate our 35th anniversary this past year, something I don't know ever occurred to my dad. We have defied all odds time and time again and I am sure we will do so again. DJ and Tina Yanssens, current generation owners of Iron City Wood Products. Dave and Denise, at the Iron City Christmas Party, 1990.