Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/685770
W e h a v e a w i n n i n g s t o r y. H o w d o w e g e t p e o p l e t o h e a r u s ? The answer, quite simply, is that you have to ask for the order. Whether it is promoting an environmental marketing initiative like Nature's Packaging, participating and hosting a Congressional Mill Tour Program at your facility, or traveling to DC for our upcoming Congressional Fly-In this June, there are multiple opportunities for us all to share the greatness of this industry. A central part of our strategic plan is raising our industry's profile, and we have a specific goal area of advocacy. These two elements come together nicely in the upcoming meeting. We are partnering with the National Association of Manufacturers (a strong advocacy voice that also represents significant consumers of wood pallets). This event is held June 7-8 in Washington, DC, and is a great opportunity for you to help educate our elected representatives about the wood packaging industry. You may also have seen a significant profile boost for our industry from the recent launch of Nature's Packaging™ website and whiteboard video. In just days after the video launch, we exceeded our expectations by receiving more than 9,400 views on our FaceBook page, 700+ views of the new video, and tremendous social and traditional media pickup as well. Please visit naturespackaging.org and feel free to widely share the video. This initiative is designed to give you extra tools when answering your customer's questions. Please let us know how we're doing. Nature's Packaging also points out the value of research and education. The Pallet Foundation is undertaking a significant expansion in funding programs relevant to your business. We are funding graduate students and visiting universities to raise our profile in the academic community. But when we raise our industry's profile, we need to have a strong foundation of scientific research supporting our positions. That's why The Pallet Foundation is also funding environmental product declarations, landfill avoidance studies, and additional PDS research. In total, more than $200,000 has been recently committed by the Trustees to support your business and this industry. NWPCA is making your voice heard in DC, making your voice heard with customers, and raising our industry's profile. These are critically important elements that go into strategically positioning our association, your business, and this industry. Thank you for your support --- but more importantly, thank you for your voice. Sincerely, P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E N A T I O N A L W O O D E N P A L L E T & C O N T A I N E R A S S O C I A T I O N BOARD OFFICERS Chairman Steven Mazza, Bettaway Pallet Systems Chairman-Elect Shane Thompson, WestWind Logistics, LLC Past Chair Jim Schwab, Pallet Logistics of America Secretary/Treasurer Larry Howell, Cottondale Wood Products Director at Large Jimmy Wilson, Bay Wood Products, Inc. President/CEO Brent J. McClendon, CAE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Peter Berry, Berry Industrial Group, Inc. Clint Binley, Pallets Incorporated Hamlet Fort, Edwards Wood Products Keith Geiges, Treen Box & Pallet Corporation David Grimes, Pallet Resources of NC, Inc. Frederic Haman, Tampa Pallet Company Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallets & Services Terry Rodino, Recycled/New Pallets Bill Schneider, Remmey – The Pallet Company John Swenby, Paltech Group – Paltech Enterprises, Inc. Robert Trexler, Pasadena Skid & Pallet, Inc. Howe Wallace, PalletOne, Inc. International Director John Dye, Scott Pallets Associate's Representative Jeff Williams, PRS Group, Inc. International Director Emeritus Jan Fredell, Fredells Travaru AB NWPCA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Making Your Voice Heard 6 PalletCentral • May-June 2016 palletcentral.com 2016 SEASON SPONSORS Kiln-Direct.com tel: 910-259-9794 | kiln-direct.com Mid Continent Nail Corporation tel: 800-867-6245 | magnumfasteners.com Pallet Machinery Group tel: 540-644-9220 | palletmachinery.com Pendu Manufacturing, Inc. tel: 717-354-4348 | pendu.com Profile Technology, Inc. tel: 800-369-4242 | profiletech.com Smart Products tel: 800-401-0099 | smartproductsinc.com Viking Engineering & Development tel: 800-328-2403 | vikingeng.com Brent J. McClendon, CAE NWPCA President/CEO