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4 Pallet C e nt ral • Janu a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2 0 26 PALLETCENTRAL, Volume 26 No.1 PalletCentral ® is a bi-monthly publica on of the Na onal Wooden Pallet & Container Associa on™ © 2026 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. ©2026 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 DEPARTMENTS 8 Le er From Our Board Chair 10 Inside NWPCA 12 Policy At Play 30 NWPCA Adver sers 16 36 Na onal Wooden Pallet & Container Associa on Janurary – Feburary 2026 • Volume 26 No. 1 42 | Accidents Will Happen. Mistakes Don't Have To! Workplace incidents can happen anywhere, from the shop floor to the road. When they do, clear protocols, mely repor ng, and though ul escala on are cri cal to protec ng people, mee ng regulatory obliga ons, and managing risk. This feature outlines best prac ces for incident response, inves ga on, and crisis management in today's regulatory environment. BY ADELE L. ABRAMS, ESQ., ASP, CMSP 22 | 2025 Milestones The year 2025 was marked by momentum, connec on, and expanding global reach. From record-se ng conferences and sold-out member events to strengthened advocacy and engagement, the industry advanced on mul ple fronts. Together, these milestones reflect a year of meaningful progress and collec ve impact. 36 | Lumber Prices, Inventory Challenges, And Innova on Trade tensions, so housing demand, and shi ing global supply routes are reshaping the lumber market. As tariffs, oversupply, and uncertainty put pressure on both hardwood and so wood sectors, businesses are being forced to adapt quickly. This feature explores how manufacturers are responding and what it will take to stay compe ve in a vola le market. BY MARK BARFORD 32 | Looking Ahead To 2026: Industry Leaders Share Their Top Resolu ons 2026 is here. Behind every strong business goal is a personal commitment driving it forward. As leaders across the industry align professional ambi ons with personal priori es, their reflec ons offer a snapshot of where the industry is headed and what ma ers most along the way. 16 | Evolving Our Name To Strengthen Our Voice Change rooted in purpose is shaping the future of the wood packaging industry. The transi on from NWPCA to Woodpack Global reflects a clearer iden ty built for a connected global supply chain. Grounded in heritage and driven by growth, the new name signals an organiza on ready to lead the industry forward. BY NWPCA TEAM 24 | From Forest To Forkli : Why The Pallet Industry's Workforce Is The Supply Chain's Silent Pressure Point From forest to factory floor, wooden pallets power global supply chains—and people power every step along the way. But persistent workforce shortages are straining the en re life cycle, from logging and milling to manufacturing and transport. This feature examines the challenges behind the labor gap and the strategies shaping the industry's path forward. BY JERICA KINGSBURY

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