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1 6 Pallet C e nt ral • S e ptem be r- O ctobe r 2 0 26 T his June, Woodpack Global members descended on Washington, DC, for the association's annual Fly-In, delivering a clear message to lawmakers: the wood transport packaging industry needs a stable, legal workforce to keep America's supply chains moving. Over two packed days, delegates met with 70 congressional offices along with leadership from the US Department of Agriculture and US Forest Service, pairing the industry-wide workforce message with conversations on issues specific to their own operations, from residual management to trade uncertainty. Much of the conversation centered on two bipartisan bills the association is tracking closely: the Dignity Act, which would create a pathway for long-term undocumented workers to gain legal employment status without a route to citizenship, and the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act, which would establish a new visa category for year-round, nonagricultural roles. For an industry investing heavily in automation and training, the message to Congress was simple: machines still need skilled people to run them. Members left the Hill energized by a receptive audience and a renewed sense that Washington is listening to what it takes to keep a shift staffed and a plant running. For more information, please contact Kate Doherty, Director of Government Affairs, kate@woodpackglobal.org. T R A C K I N G T H E P A L L E T I N D U S T R Y S I N C E 1 9 9 7 Custom Designed for New Pallet Manufacturers, Recyclers & Sawmills HANDHELD, TABLET AND KIOSK SYSTEMS Custom designed software for new pallet manufacturers, recyclers & sawmills TIME AND ATTENDANCE SYSTEMS CLICK-DRAW™ MILL MANAGER™ ERP SYSTEM A.I. VISION SYSTEMS SORTATION AND REPAIR LINE Bar-code Based Tracking Systems Pallet Track ® a division of 48forty Solutions 631.244.0069 x101 pallettrack.com a division of 48forty Solutions Woodpack Global Takes The Workforce Message To Capitol Hill

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