Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/921113
8 PalletCentral • November-December 2017 palletcentral.com INSIDE NWPCA N W P C A A N N O U N C E M E N T S A N D U P C O M I N G E V E N T S Plant Tour Success T he NWPCA 2017 Fall Plant Tours conference held in Houston, November 8-9, was a great success, attended by nearly 300 industry colleagues. NWPCA Chairman Shane Thompson, WestWind Logistics, welcomed the group to another sold- out event for the third year in a row. The conference featured networking receptions and tours of four facilities: Wooden Pallets, Ltd., Katoen Natie, Pasadena Skid & Pallet, Inc. and Unipal International, and lunch courtesy of Apache Products. NWPCA CEO and President, Brent McClendon, led roundtable discussions on two critical topics facing our members: labor and the workforce, and automation. The open format allowed attendees the opportunity to share the challenges and obstacles facing their businesses. These two areas were recently added to NWPCA's Strategic Plan by the Board of Directors. Information gathered during the roundtable discussions will provide insight to the Board on how the Association will address those challenges for its membership. Thank you to all the gracious hosts for opening their doors for a plant tour of their facility. Rob Trexler, Pasadena Skid and Pallet, echoed the sentiments of the manufacturing facilities, who proudly showcased their facilities following the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, and welcomed all to Houston. "We are Texas proud, and strong, and have come together as we have always done. The Hurricane struck hard, but we struck back, and we are open for business." Fire Code Compliance Educational Outreach Dubbed the "Year of Safety" by the Association, NWPCA continued its educational outreach on fire code safety and compliance during the Houston Fall Plant Tours. Dr. Brad Gething, NWPCA Director of Science and Technology Integration, presented and updated attendees on the International Code Council (ICC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire codes. Dr. Gething also outlined what to expect inside the NWPCA Fire Code Compliance Manual. Learn more at PalletCentral.com/ ComplianceManual, and access a complimentary copy, scheduled for release by year's end. NWPCA's Global Influence In October, NWPCA President and CEO Brent McClendon, along with John McLeod, Director of The Pallet Design System™ (PDS), traveled to the Netherlands to attend, and exhibit, at the 68th annual congress of the European Federation of Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB). The meeting was well attended with almost 200 delegates from across Europe. One particular topic worth noting is Europe's recognition of wood packaging to ensure a sustainable future economy. European authorities are increasingly considering wood as a cornerstone for developing sustainable business policies into the future. Marianne Muller of the European Commission's department of the environment told attendees, "What better example of circularity. This is the sector where we have the most striking example of what a circular economy means." Plans are also underway for the Interpal 2018 conference, a global meeting for the wood packaging industry held every four years. The next conference takes place September 18-20, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in conjunction with NWPCA's annual plant tours. The Canadian Wood Pallet and Container Association Thank You Plant Tour Sponsors Apache Products, Inc. Automated Machine Systems, Inc. HUB Industrial Supply PRS Group Rotochopper, Inc. Viking Engineering & Development Wood-Mizer