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Pallet C e nt ral • S e ptem be r- O ctobe r 2 0 26 37 "at connection to the field is what makes the software indispensable for the users and the industry." CDS 1.0 is the reward of nearly 10 years of work by Kristen to understand the needs of the crating sector, define realistic software requirements, obtain development funding, and establish a vision for CDS now and in the future. Over the past year, she worked closely with our software development contractor— Automation Creations Inc. (ACI)—to make that vision a reality. "I'm proud of what we have done with CDS 1.0; the enthusiasm from the entire development team. e best part is that this is only the beginning," DeLack remarked. What's Next For CDS e July 21 celebration wasn't just a look back; it was a look ahead. CDS 2.0 is already fully funded, thanks to a grant from the Pallet Foundation, with a target launch mid-2027. An interim release is scheduled for late 2026 to include open crate styles, a handful of new details that can be added to the initial two crate styles, as well as more polishing to the interface. We are planning on sponsoring a post- doctoral researcher at VA Tech to perform laboratory testing of crate structural details. is will give us confidence that the structural analysis models developed by DeLack yield reliable results. By this time next year, the platform is expected to be roughly two-and-a-half times more capable than it is today! e roadmap is ambitious but grounded: expanded coverage of crate construction styles; a shift from best-practice guidance toward true engineering analysis; and broader applicability for producers, specifiers, and end users around the world. e long-term vision is straightforward. CDS becomes the global reference standard for wooden crate design, the tool every competing product is measured against, just as PDS became for pallets. None of it happens without member engagement. "Every bug report, every feature request, every piece of feedback from someone actually designing crates on the floor sharpens the tool faster than any closed-door development process could," DeLack said. Members who lease CDS now are getting in on the ground floor— and in a real sense, their day-to-day use is helping define where the platform goes from here. A Celebration Worth Having Tuesday's event brought together stakeholders, producers, educators, software programmers, and Woodpack Global staff who've spent years pushing this project forward. It was also a chance to recognize the Pallet Foundation, whose research and development grants made both CDS 1.0 and the fully funded CDS 2.0 roadmap possible. "is industry invested in its own future, and CDS is the return on that investment," said Brent McClendon, Woodpack Global President & CEO at the celebration. "We're just getting started." For members ready to get involved, the message from the CDS team is simple: download it, use it, and tell us what you think. e next version of the industry's reference standard is being built right now, and every user has a hand in shaping it. The Crate Design System™ (CDS) is a trademark of Woodpack Global. Learn more CDS at woodpackglobal.org/ cratedesign. Michelle Torelli is Director of Technology & Development at Woodpack Global. She leads education, standards, and other development initiatives. She may be reached at michellet@woodpackglobal.org. WELCOME TO A NEW ERA OF CRATE DESIGN! Visit woodpackglobal.org/ cratedesign to learn more WITH CRATE DESIGN SYSTEM YOU CAN: Reduce risk with guidance rooted in proven industry standards Cut costs versus hand- drawing, sketching soware, or CAD packages Create professional drawings, specs, and production orders with ease

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