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Pallet C e nt ral • S e ptem be r- O ctobe r 2 0 24 21 Pallet C e nt ral • S e ptem be r- O ctobe r 2 0 24 21 New technologies that allow for automation and ease play a huge role in the overhaul that has taken place in the last decade, but that's not all there is to it. We sat down with leaders from four different wooden pallet manufacturers to understand how automation, advanced technology, refined processes, and human relationships are playing a part. Beatrice Vasquez from Oxnard Pallet Company, Fred Vrugteveen from Niagara Pallet & Recyclers, Mitchell and Justin Kamps from Kamps Pallets, Darrin Hyde and Jordan Engelsma from Michigan Pallet all have unique perspectives to share on how their organizations are approaching the innovation conversation. Whether it's saving up to invest in a new piece of machinery or taking a different leadership approach, innovation comes in different shapes and sizes, but there's no question that it's at the forefront of every decision these leaders make. Regardless of what your organization does or how long you've been in the industry, learning from one another, sharing successes and failures, and working together to redefine the future will lift the whole industry. Let's get into it. Automa on Comes in All Sizes Major manufacturers that process a high volume of pallets may have a slightly different approach to innovation than smaller operations. Available capital makes a big difference in what machinery and technology is accessible, but that doesn't mean that smaller manufacturers shouldn't pursue innovative practices. In 2017, after attending an NWPCA plant tour, Beatrice Vasquez felt inspired to take the next step at Oxnard Pallet Company. "e automation we saw on the tour was what we'd been dreaming about," she explained. "It was more than we could take on at the time, but it lit a fire under us to take the next steps." Vasquez went on to invest in a pallet sort-and-repair line shortly after the plant tour and added another one to their warehouse in 2022. Although these machines were on a smaller scale, they have played a vital role in Oxnard's ability to keep up with demand. Incorporating pallet repair lines wasn't the first time Oxnard leaned on cutting-edge equipment to adjust its processes. "Twenty-five years ago, we purchased a very inexpensive pallet machine," Vasquez recalled. "Our team laughed at us because they could produce pallets faster than the machine could, but there have been massive improvements in pallet equipment since then." Looking forward, Vasquez plans on making more investments in innovation. A small mobile heat chamber was a recent investment, and they have their sights set on an MIT block cutter and a robotic dismantler next. "One day we plan to invest in robots that will actually build the pallets more quickly. We want to balance the work our current team does in partnership with the robotic tools," she said. Leading a larger organization, Fred Vrugteveen of Niagara Pallet & Recyclers has seen just how impactful large-scale automation can be. "We have installed one of the first automated sort-and-

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