palletcentral

26 Pallet C e nt ral • Janu a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2 0 26 SUPPLY CHAIN CONT. the wooden pallet industry and identify solutions already gaining traction. While the survey was conducted two years ago, its findings remain highly relevant, reflecting workforce pressures that continue to shape the pallet and broader manufacturing industries today. e findings also confirm what many operators already know: attracting and retaining workers has become one of the industry's most pressing business challenges. Why Hiring Has Become So Difficult A few decades ago, jobs in logging and lumber offered reliable paychecks and long-term careers, even if they required physically demanding work in remote areas. While pallet manufacturing does not involve felling trees, it shares many of the same labor realities and faces several compounding pressures. An Aging And Shrinking Workforce For example, in the logging industry, the average age in the US is 55, with retirement often occurring around age 65. Employment in logging has declined roughly 2% annually for the past two decades, creating a ticking clock for the entire wood products supply chain if younger workers are not trained to replace outgoing talent. Physically Demanding Work Manufacturing roles often require long shifts and physically strenuous tasks. In a 2023 survey of pallet manufacturers, 56.7% reported employees leaving due to the demanding nature of the work. Younger workers entering the labor force increasingly seek flexibility and work-life balance, making traditional manufacturing schedules less attractive. Specialized Skills Gaps Modern pallet operations rely on advanced machinery and automation. Workers are no longer simply assembling products; they are troubleshooting equipment, managing systems, and maintaining complex processes. Manufacturing Institute President Carolyn Lee says, "e hardest skills to find are the ones that maintain and fix equipment. Every company we speak

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