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Pallet C e nt ral • Ma rch -Ap r il 2 0 25 11 NWPCA On The Road: WPA Annual Mee ng, Pallet Founda on Success, And Member Visits T he Western Pallet Association (WPA) Annual Meeting in Palm Springs last month was a fantastic opportunity to engage with industry leaders and discuss key issues shaping the wooden pallet sector. During the WPA Annual Meeting, the Pallet Foundation raised an impressive $64,000 to support research and education for the wooden pallet industry. is achievement reflects the generosity and commitment of industry leaders who recognize the importance of investing in the future. ank you to Bill MacCauley, our auctioneer-extraordinaire, and to all who contributed—your support drives meaningful progress. In conjunction with the conference, NWPCA had the privilege of touring two Commercial Lumber and Pallet Company facilities. A huge thank you to NWPCA Board Member Scott Gutierrez and incoming Pallet Foundation Chair Kathleen Dietrich for generously sharing your time with Brent McClendon and Mark Barford—not just during the tour, but throughout the year. Your dedication to the industry is truly appreciated! Discover The Power Of PDS At Ligna 2025 J oin the NWPCA staff and the Pallet Design System™ team at Ligna 2025, the world's premier woodworking and processing technology trade show, taking place May 26–30, 2025, in Hannover, Germany. Visit us in Building 27, Booth E06, and see firsthand how PDS can transform your pallet design process. Schedule a demo with our team to explore how PDS enables you to design efficient, cost-effective pallets tailored to your needs; scientifically determine safe load capacities and material requirements; and leverage advanced engineering tools for optimal results. Whether you're ready to schedule a demo, explore PDS features, request a free trial, or stop by to connect, we look forward to seeing you at Booth E06. Learn more at www.palletcentral. com/ligna2025. For more information on PDS, free trials, or upcoming courses, visit palletdesignsystem.com/courses. NWPCA Staff Building: Strengthening Connec ons And Our Mission B uilding on the adoption of NWPCA's latest Strategic Plan—featuring two new goal areas: Global Position and Member Engagement & Education—our team gathered in Charleston, South Carolina, for a staff retreat focused on collaboration and growth. rough in-depth discussions on enhancing member programs and engaging team- building activities—including a creative painting session—we strengthened our connections and sparked fresh ideas. Great teamwork fuels innovation, and we left Charleston energized, inspired, and ready to support our members with an even greater impact. e updated NWPCA Strategic Plan may be found at palletcentral.com/AboutUs. NWPCA Celebrates Historic Grant To Advance US So woods T he NWPCA is thrilled to announce that the Pallet Foundation has secured a historic $1 million grant. is grant, awarded through the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Regional Agricultural Product Promotion (RAPP) program to the Softwood Export Council (SEC) and its member, the NWPCA, takes effect immediately and runs through 2029. e funding supports the SEC and NWPCA's global mission to promote US softwoods in wood transport packaging. e initiative focuses on expanding markets in Spanish- speaking Latin America (outside Mexico) and Europe, aligning with NWPCA's Strategic Plan. Activities include market research, trade missions, seminars, and training on softwood pallet design using the Pallet Design System™ (PDS). "is grant opens incredible opportunities to educate producers on US softwood species, sustainable forestry, and pallet design," said Hilary Carr, PhD, Director of Mexico & LATAM. For more information, visit palletfoundation.org or contact Brad Gething, PhD, Vice President of Science & Technology (bgething@palletcentral.com).

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