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4 Pallet C e nt ral • Ma rch -Ap r il 2 0 24 PALLETCENTRAL, Volume 24 No. 2 PalletCentral ® is a bi-monthly publica on of the Na onal Wooden Pallet & Container Associa on™ © 2024 Na onal Wooden Pallet & Container Associa on. All rights reserved. NWPCA 1421 Prince Street, Suite 340 Alexandria, VA 22314 703-519-6104 info@palletcentral.com Adver sing: To adver se in PalletCentral, contact Mark Barford at 703-519-0186 or mbarford@palletcentral.com. Publishing Partner: Tulip Media Group Subscrip ons to PalletCentral ® are complimentary, however you need to subscribe: PalletCentral.com/pallet-subscrip on >>Subscribe Subscribe to ensure you receive the latest edi on of PalletCentral ® and to make sure we have your correct mailing address and/or email address for digital edi ons. Please note that NWPCA does not sell our mailing lists. We only collect certain data to track our readership demographics. ©2024 NWPCA. All rights reserved. The views expressed in all ar cles, editorials and adver sements appearing in PalletCentral are solely those of the author and adver ser, respec vely, and do not necessarily represent the views of NWPCA. IN THIS ISSUE 16 | The Year Ahead: What The Economy Tells Us About Wooden Pallet Manufacturing The wooden pallet industry faces a landscape of fluctua ng lumber prices, labor shortages, and global trade dynamics, promp ng a need for innova on and adaptability to navigate the challenges while maintaining its crucial role in supply chains. BY JERICA KINGSBURY 26 | 3 Strategies To Mi gate Workers' Compensa on Claims Logging and lumber companies can curb work- related injuries and fatali es by implemen ng pre-hire screenings, task-specific training, and fostering physical and emo onal well-being among workers, ul mately ensuring a safer workplace and boos ng produc vity. BY JEFF CECCHINI DEPARTMENTS 8 Le er From Our President & CEO 10 Inside NWPCA 12 Policy At Play 14 NWPCA Adver sers 22 | 40 Years Of Innova on: The Evolu on Of Pallet Design System™ Delving into the Pallet Design System (PDS) so ware, this ar cle traces its journey from incep on at the Pallet Laboratory in 1976 to its pivotal role in revolu onizing pallet design and engineering, underscoring its collabora ve development and ongoing influence on the wood pallet industry. BY NWPCA & PDS TEAM 38 | Strategic Marke ng In Wood Pallet Sales Success in the wooden pallet industry is ed to building strong customer rela onships and adop ng sustainable marke ng strategies, amidst advancements in automa on and ar ficial intelligence. BY MARK BARFORD 44 | Pallet Industry Insights From An NWPCA Economic Pulse Member Survey NWPCA's January 2024 survey reflects mixed sen ments among members in the wooden pallet industry regarding inventory levels, sales, and future prospects. BY ANNETTE FERRI 16 44 Na onal Wooden Pallet & Container Associa on March - April 2024 • Volume 24 No. 2 32 | Beyond The OSHA Penal es: What's Hur ng Workers . . . And Employers? Examining OSHA's raised penal es, it offers safety guidance for logging and lumber industries, highlights pallet and container sector standards, and emphasizes compliance and safety amidst poten al penalty hikes and regulatory shi s. BY ADELE L. ABRAMS, ESQ., ASP, CMSP