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Pallet C e nt ral • Janu a r y -Fe b r u a r y 2 0 24 11 Advancing Industry Collaboration: NWPCA's Mission In Mexico I n early November, Hilary Carr travelled to Queretaro, Mexico, to spend the week with NWPCA Capítulo members. NWPCA hosted an in-person networking session and a virtual meeting to discuss the most pressing issues facing the Mexican wood pallet and packaging industry. Over 40 members of the NWPCA Capítulo participated in our roundtable discussion. Capítulo president Fernando López Bello and María José Martínez outlined the government working group's work to advance the NOM-144. e Capítulo was asked to participate in this task force to ensure that industry was involved in updating Mexico's phytosanitary standards and measures. While the proposal has yet to be published in the Diario Oficial, the Capítulo will update members, providing industry with a 90-day window to submit formal comments. During the three-hour meeting, Capítulo members voiced concerns about the Ley Forestal (Mexican Forestry Law) and the compliance requirements for both new and recycled pallet manufacturers. Acknowledging the complexity of these issues, the Capítulo plans to organize a comprehensive webinar in early 2024 to address questions and assure industry compliance. e highlight of the trip was the opportunity to visit member facilities in Queretaro and Estado de Mexico. Special thanks to hosts at Tarimas y Proyectos de Madera (TPM), Brasimex, Tarimera El Rayo, Productora del Tarimas del Sur (ProtSur), and Organización LB (OLB) for their generous hospitality. 2023 Marks Unprecedented Membership Growth L ast year witnessed an extraordinary milestone for NWPCA as we welcomed 117 new members, achieving a historic annual growth record. e addition of these members underscores the trust and confidence placed in the association. In addition to Pallet Design System™ (PDS), the value of networking and the welcoming community represented by other NWPCA members was one of the main reasons for joining. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our members as their investment fuels our mission to provide resources, foster connections, and drive innovation in the industry. Learn more about NWPCA members by searching our directory at PalletCentral.com. Staff Plans For 2024 Fall Plant Tours, Site Visits In Detroit I n October, Vice President of Operations and Events Mimi Sullivan traveled to Detroit to visit with NWPCA members and make plans for the 2024 Fall Tours Conference. Special thanks to Mitchell Kamps, Kamps Inc.; Jordan Englesma, Michigan Pallet; and the Alakoli's PalletCo, for their warm hospitality during the visits. Save the dates for October 8–9, 2024 to participate in the much- anticipated NWPCA Fall Plant Tours at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, Michigan. Registration for this exclusive member-only event is set to open in late spring (or early summer). Watch for updates at PalletCentral.com. PDS v6.8 Expands Customization And Adds New Features For Block Pallets T he recent release of Pallet Design System™ (PDS) v6.8 brings a wave of enhanced customization options for Block Pallets. Now, individual blocks can be seamlessly adjusted, either inset or outset relative to stringer boards and deck boards. is eagerly awaited feature requested from Europe is a game-changer for custom pallet manufacturers everywhere, empowering them to optimize designs like never before. Other changes with the new release allow pallets supporting bulk bags to be designed with increased stability when stacked multiple unit loads high. Blocks can also be strategically repositioned to better support equipment, steel drums, or other rigid cargo, offering unparalleled flexibility. In addition to these enhancements, the PDS development team has its sights set on incorporating threaded fasteners into the software. Picture this: carriage bolts, lag screws, and self-drilling screws seamlessly integrated into your designs. e ability to specify exact fastener positions and showcase them on design drawings will usher in the ability to design and analyze heavy skids. Of course, we haven't forgotten about nail positioning—an essential tool for aiding nailing machines during setup. PDS Principal Engineer & Business Advisor Kristen DeLack, PE, is anticipating self- drilling screws testing in 2024. "If we can find a way to generalize their performance for both stiffness and strength, we will be able to handle the entire spectrum of proprietary screw designs without needing to explicitly program them all into PDS," she remarked. Stay tuned for more innovations in 2024. Learn more about PDS; sign-up for a free trial at PalletDesignSystem.com.

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