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4 Pallet C e nt ral • Ma rch -Ap r il 2 0 25 PALLETCENTRAL, Volume 25 No. 2 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 | Boos ng The Efficiency And Engagement Of Training Programs With AR Augmented reality (AR) is transforming pallet manufacturing by enhancing training, quality control, and efficiency through real- me digital overlays, enabling workers to interact with instruc ons, troubleshoot machinery, and op mize logis cs with greater precision and reduced down me. BY JERICA KINGSBURY DEPARTMENTS 8 Le er From Our President 10 Inside NWPCA 14 Policy At Play 34 NWPCA Adver sers 38 | Envisioning A World Without OSHA The proposed aboli on of OSHA under the NOSHA Act raises significant ques ons about workplace safety, regulatory consistency, and employer responsibility, with proponents advoca ng for reduced federal oversight and state control, while opponents warn of increased workplace risks, inconsistent protec ons, and poten al setbacks in occupa onal health research and enforcement. BY ADELE L. ABRAMS, ESQ., ASP, CMSP 18 42 Na onal Wooden Pallet & Container Associa on March-April 2025 • Volume 25 No. 2 28 | Naviga ng Communica on And Collabora on In Mexico's Wood Packaging Industry Successful business opera ons in Mexico's wood packaging industry require more than logis cs—they demand cultural awareness, clear communica on, and rela onship-building strategies that bridge language barriers, leverage digital tools, and respect local business customs to foster trust and long-term success. BY HILARY CARR, PHD 42 | Member Commentary: Health And Wellness In 2025 The pallet industry is embracing workplace wellness in 2025 through flexible scheduling, mental health support, safety programs, and employee engagement ini a ves, fostering a healthier, more produc ve workforce driven by communica on, trust, and innova on. BY MEMBERS OF NWPCA 24 | Social Media: Speaking Up In The Digital Era Social media is a powerful, o en underu lized tool in B2B industries like pallet manufacturing, offering opportuni es to influence policy, educate audiences, showcase sustainability efforts, and build trust through authen c, engaging content that priori zes video, transparency, and real- me updates. BY ANNETTE FERRI