palletcentral.com PalletCentral • July-August 2016 25
grown as much as the U.S. economy. The U.S. dollar is strong
relative to major currencies, which also impacts our economy.
Because of the influence from oil production and service
industries, the GDP does not have the immediate impact on the
wooden pallet and container industry as it did when manufacturing
was a much larger contributor to the U.S. economy. The U.S.
housing market and transportation may be closer linked to wooden
pallet and container manufacturers' business.
U.S. housing markets have performed well since emerging from
the recession. In 2015, new home starts grew 10.8% (unadjusted)
