Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/860755
We are at the half-year mark and I'm amazed by how fast time passes. As I reflect upon the journey and measure the organization's successes, it's important to take a step back and evaluate our performance. In 2014, the Board held its first strategic planning meeting. I must admit, I went into that session a little skeptical. After two long days, though, we emerged with a focused and defined direction to work toward. That experience inspired me to do the same within my own company. NWPCA had a primary vision and mission: Achieve and sustain worldwide acceptance of the NWPCA as the thought and information leader on wood packaging in unit-load solutions, while providing an environment for our members to succeed. We would achieve our mission, through three primary goals: advocacy, making PDS the global standard for pallet design, and creating a robust web and social network presence. Over the last three years, NWPCA's achievements have been amazing, leading to our doubling in size, record turnout at events, significant expansion of PDS, and key advocacy wins. Advocacy continues to be a top priority and our initiatives have enabled the NWPCA, our coalitions, and the membership, to achieve some major victories for you in the past year, including: • Achieving the adoption of an NWPCA proposal on fire codes for outdoor storage of wood pallets by both code bodies (NFPA and ICC). • Stopping legislative and regulatory initiatives that would significantly impact the use of wood packaging shipments internationally. • Hosting our largest Congressional Fly-In ever. A record number of industry members ascended on DC and raised our industry's critical issues and concerns with over 35 different offices. The international reach of PDS continues to expand. It is now the most used pallet design software in the world with over 425 lessees in more than 30 countries. We are currently adding multi-language capabilities to make PDS the international language of pallet design, adding even more value to current PDS users. Our improved website, along with NaturesPackaging.org and engaging social media posts, have made the NWPCA a frequently called-upon source of information. Our profile has never been higher, delivering an increasing number of business leads directly to our membership. This past June, the Board met for our annual strategic planning session to evaluate our progress and make revisions as our industry continues to evolve. As we look ahead, technology and workforce are areas that will see increased NWPCA focus. We are responsive to our members' key concerns. The NWPCA has achieved these advances through an active membership, dedicated Board members, and a strong and driven staff. Together we are making a difference for this industry, and a better future for our companies. Thank you for your membership and support of NWPCA. 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 Shane Thompson, WestWind Logistics, LLC Chairman-Elect Larry Howell, Cottondale Wood Products Past Chair Steve Mazza, Bettaway Pallet Systems Secretary/Treasurer Jordan Piland, Atlas Pallets/A Div. of Williamsburg Millwork Corp. Director at Large Terry Rodino, Recycled New Pallets President/CEO Brent J. McClendon, CAE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Carolyn Beach-Skinner, Westside Pallet, Inc. Peter Berry, Berry Industrial Group, Inc. Clint Binley, Pallets Incorporated Hamlet Fort, Edwards Wood Products David Grimes, Pallet Resources of NC, Inc. Mike Hachtman, reLogistics Services, LLC Bernie Kamps, Kamps, Inc. Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallets & Services Frank Shean, Valley Pallet, Inc. Robert Trexler, Pasadena Skid & Pallet, Inc. Howe Wallace, PalletOne, Inc. Jimmy Wilson, Bay Wood Products, Inc. International Director John Dye, Scott Pallets Associate's Representative Jeff Williams, PRS Group, Inc. International Director Emeritus Jan Fredell, Fredells Travaru AB NWPCA 6 PalletCentral • July-August 2017 palletcentral.com 2017 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 CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE Strategic Planning Pays Off Sincerely, Shane Thompson, WestWind Logistics, LLC NWPCA Chairman