Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/666889
14 PalletCentral • March-April 2016 palletcentral.com he wooden packaging industry is a dynamic, evolving, and ever-changing network of businesses and business models. The only constant is change. Whenever NWPCA staff travels to visit members, they always return with interesting stories on how people originally got into the pallet business, what they do outside the pallet industry and, what they expect for business through end of 2016. It's all about you – and knowing each of our members better helps us make a greater impact on your company. For this article, we hope our readers enjoy these off-the-cuff conversations with several industry thought leaders, and then share with us your story as well. Q1: How are general business conditions? What do you expect through year-end? Q2: How did you get started in the pallet business? Q3: What is on your desk right now? Operations? Expansion plans? Customer concerns? Opportunities? Q4: What do you do when you're not at work? Q5: If you weren't in the pallet business, what would you be doing? Stephen Grimes, Co-Owner, Pallet Resource of N.C, Inc. A1: Used pallet cores are currently tough to come by and the margins are bad, but new pallet business is good, better than it has been since before the recession hit in full in 2008. I'm in a state (North Carolina) where the recession started early. In early 2007, PRNC was already looking for ways to operate much more efficiently and to cut out waste. It put us in a better position than most folks when the bottom fell out the next year. I would be happy with some growth, but recent times have taught me a lesson in being content with steady business. A2: I remember that I didn't even know what a pallet was in the summer of 1985. I had just finished the fifth grade, but my father had left his job with a furniture manufacturing company. Even back then, furniture was an industry that he knew was going away and never coming back. He took a gamble on buying a small, 15-employee business that repaired wooden shipping pallets. It was a gamble that changed my destiny forever. Share What's on Their Mind, What's on Their Desk COVER STORY T Industry Thought Leaders