Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1542903
8 Pallet C e nt ral • Janu a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2 0 26 A s I write this, I am mindful that this will be my final article for PalletCentral as your Board Chair. It has been a rewarding year, and I'm grateful for the trust and support of our members, especially as we move through an important period of growth and transition. Our association has always been shaped by its members, their businesses, their innovation, and their commitment to wood packaging. at same member-driven spirit led the Board to support an important evolution in our identity: the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association is becoming Woodpack Global. I am proud to support this decision, which is a key part of our long-term strategy, and a clear signal that we are preparing for the future. is change is not cosmetic; it is purposeful. It reflects who we are today: a strong, engaged network of more than 820 wood packaging companies across 43 countries, operating in a fast- moving, highly interconnected global economy. Supply chains are accelerating, and regulations are evolving quickly. To meet these fast-evolving regulations, the association has expanded its capacity with six new staff members, strengthening every aspect of our work. Many policies are well-intentioned, but too often they are developed without a full understanding of wood packaging and the essential role it plays in efficient, sustainable supply chains. ese challenges reinforce the need for one credible, informed voice. As an association, we are meeting these challenges head-on. In the United States, California's SB-54 remains a top priority. Our advocacy, education, and coalition- building efforts deliver real value by helping protect markets and safeguard the livelihoods tied to wood packaging. Growth is also essential to our future, particularly for the Pallet Design System™ (PDS) and upcoming Crate Design System™ (CDS). As consolidation continues within the US pallet industry, expanding adoption of these tools globally is increasingly important. Woodpack Global positions us to better support that growth and deliver even greater value to members worldwide. While our name is evolving, our purpose is the same. Pallets Move the World™ is more than a tagline—it is a simple truth that defines who we are and why our work matters. Woodpack Global gives us a stronger platform to tell that story, defend it, and build for the future. On behalf of the Board, I look forward to seeing you at our Annual Leadership Conference—March 25–27, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale—as we celebrate both the progress we've made and the opportunities ahead. Sincerely, Hinton H. Howell Hinton Lumber Products 2025–2026 Board Chair Preparing The Associa on For The Future, Built To Move Faster A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN PALLETS MOVE THE WORLD ® Pallet Reuse: Sustainability And Durability In Ac on I was reminded recently why our industry matters while upland bird hunting for chukar and Hungarian partridge near ermopolis, Wyoming. At 6,000 feet, I came across an unusual use for pallets. Fifteen- to twenty-year-old pallets, weathered in Wyoming's dry climate, had been repurposed as weighted bases for fence corner posts. Large rocks filled the pallets, anchoring the fencing to contain cattle. ese pallets had first transported valuable goods over long distances many, many times, and now, decades later, are still performing a critical function. at's durability, reusability, and sustainability in action!