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4 Pallet C e nt ral • S e ptem be r- O ctobe r 2 0 26 PALLETCENTRAL, Volume 26 No.5 PalletCentral ® is a bi-monthly publication of Woodpack Global™, © 2026 Woodpack Global™. All rights reserved. Woodpack Global 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 560 Alexandria, VA 22314 703-519-6104 info@woodpackglobal.org Advertising: To advertise in PalletCentral, contact Mark Barford at 703-519-0186 or mark@woodpackglobal.org. Publishing Partner: Tulip Media Group Subscriptions to PalletCentral ® are complimentary, however you need to subscribe: woodpackglobal.org/pallet-subscription >>Subscribe Subscribe to ensure you receive the latest edition of PalletCentral ® and to make sure we have your correct mailing address and/or email address for digital editions. Please note that Woodpack Global™ does not sell our mailing lists. ©2026 Woodpack Global™. All rights reserved. The views expressed in all articles, editorials and advertisements appearing in PalletCentral are solely those of the author and advertiser, respectively, and do not necessarily represent the views of Woodpack Global. IN THIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS 8 Leer From Our Board Chair 10 Policy At Play 14 Inside Woodpack Global 30 Our Advertisers 18 36 WOODPACK GLOBAL September-October 2026 • Volume 26 No. 5 36 | Crate Design System Celebrates Launch, Sets Sights On The Classroom And Beyond Woodpack Global has launched the Crate Design System™, a purpose-built tool designed to modernize wooden crate design, improve efficiency, and establish a new industry standard as the plaorm continues to expand. BY MICHELLE TORELLI 32 | Pallet Manufacturing Growth Trends For 2027 Pallet manufacturers looking toward 2027 are investing in automation, smart technology, AI, sustainability, and stronger customer relationships to improve productivity and create new opportunities for long-term growth. BY JERICA KINGSBURY 18 | Industry Pulse: What Woodpack Members Are Really Saying About The Economy Woodpack Global's member pulse check highlights rising lumber, freight, and labor costs, tighter margins, uneven demand, and aggressive pricing as pallet companies navigate continued economic uncertainty. BY WOODPACK GLOBAL 24 | Built By Family, Strengthened By Every Generation Chicago Pallet Service and Harvey Pallets show how family businesses can preserve their values while embracing innovation, developing future leaders, and preparing the next generation to carry their legacy forward. BY ANNETTE FERRI 17 | Celebrating María José Martínez's Completion Of The US International Visitor Leadership Program Woodpack Global celebrates María José Martínez on completing the US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program, where she explored agricultural innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration while building connections across the United States. 42 | Implications of OSHA's New (De)Regulatory Agenda OSHA's evolving regulatory agenda could affect heat illness prevention, lockout/ tagout, ladder safety, and other workplace requirements, while broader deregulation efforts may reshape how safety standards are developed and enforced. BY ADELE L. ABRAMS, ESQ., ASP, CMSP