Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1531186
4 Pallet C e nt ral • Janu a r y -Fe b r u a r y 2 0 25 PALLETCENTRAL, Volume 25 No. 1 PalletCentral ® is a bi-monthly publica on of the Na onal Wooden Pallet & Container Associa on™ © 2025 Na onal Wooden Pallet & Container Associa on. All rights reserved. NWPCA 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 560 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. ©2025 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 18 | The Pallet Design System™ (PDS) Discover the powerful capabili es of the Pallet Design System™ (PDS) with its innova ve features and global training opportuni es. From enhanced customiza on tools to cu ng-edge research, PDS empowers professionals to design efficient, sustainable, and cost-effec ve wooden pallets. BY THE PDS TEAM DEPARTMENTS 8 Le er From Our Board Chair 10 Inside NWPCA 14 Policy At Play 34 NWPCA Adver sers 22 | AI And Advanced Technologies Are Reshaping The Pallet Industry In 2025 AI is revolu onizing the wooden pallet industry, streamlining processes like demand forecas ng, automa on, and quality control while enabling innova ons like smart pallets. However, as adop on grows, manufacturers must address cybersecurity risks through robust training, IT assessments, and proac ve measures to ensure secure and efficient opera ons. BY JERICA KINGSBURY 36 | 2025 Forecast For OSHA The 2025 Trump administra on brings sweeping deregula on, with OSHA and environmental protec ons facing significant cuts. Despite this, businesses priori zing safety and sustainability will stay ahead amid the changes. BY ADELE L. ABRAMS, ESQ., ASP, CMSP 22 36 Na onal Wooden Pallet & Container Associa on January-February 2025 • Volume 25 No. 1 29 | Unlocking Efficiency: Transforming Marke ng, Communica on, And Employee Engagement With AI AI is transforming the wooden pallet industry, streamlining processes, enhancing communica on, and improving efficiency while empowering employees to focus on strategic goals. BY ANNETTE FERRI 40 | NWPCA Membership Councils, Commi ees & Mingles: Ge ng Involved And Making An Impact NWPCA fosters industry success through councils, commi ees, and mingles, promo ng collabora on and innova on. Join groups like Women in the Pallet Industry, Future Leaders, or key commi ees focused on advocacy, standards, and sustainability. BY MARK BARFORD 20 | 2024 Milestones 2024 has been a year of incredible growth and milestones for NWPCA, thanks to our dedicated team and valued partners.