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January-February 2018

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M any of my conversations to start this year are centered around these three topics: the weather, the challenges of a changing workforce, and what role automation can play in helping the industry achieve new efficiencies and solve long-term problems. There is not a lot we can do about the weather – although our upcoming convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (March 8-10) provides a welcome respite for many. With 600+ expected to join us this year, we are taking advantage of the perfect opportunity to address the other two issues: workforce and automation. Based on membership input, NWPCA's Board of Directors added two new goals at the end of 2017 to NWPCA's Strategic Plan around the workforce and automation topics. We'll use the Annual Leadership Conference to kick off some key conversations with panels of members and outside speakers providing insights, while staff will be gaining direct feedback from members throughout the event. We'll use the input we receive to build programs and provide resources for our growing membership. We're taking the listen, learn, and then act approach, as a strategic plan is, in many ways, like a New Year's Resolution – good and bad. It's easy to come up with a resolution, or add sections to a strategic plan. The challenge is the follow through. Why do so many resolutions fail? Why do so many strategic plans fail? According to Psychology Today, here are some of the most common reasons why resolutions fail: • Expectations were not realistic. Be realistic, and understand the investment of time and resources needed to achieve the goals. • Resolutions were not properly defined. Is there clarity on what we want to achieve? Is there a step-by-step plan of how to get there, and how to benchmark our progress? • Time not prioritized. Managing time effectively is not about crossing all the entries off a to-do list; it is about knowing the priorities and getting the right things done first. Ultimately, a strategic plan, like a New Year's Resolution, needs specificity and clarity of focus. We are crafting a realistic plan that, with your input, will have clearly defined objectives. Our volunteer leaders and staff are committed to driving results for your business. We look forward to your input as we build our action plan in 2018 and beyond, and I welcome your thoughts and counsel, now and always. 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. 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 • January-February 2018 palletcentral.com 2018 SEASON SPONSORS Kiln-Direct.com tel: 910-259-9794 | kiln-direct.com Mid Continent Nail Corporation tel: 800-867-6245 | mcswusa.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 Rotochopper, Inc. tel: 320-548-3586 | rotochopper.com Smart Products tel: 800-401-0099 | smartproductsinc.com Smith Sawmill Service tel: 800-598-6344 | smithsawmillservice.com Universal Fastener Outsourcing tel: 800-352-0028 | 911-nails.com Viking Engineering & Development tel: 800-328-2403 | vikingeng.com PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Automation, Workforce, Weather… and New Year's Resolutions Brent J. McClendon, CAE NWPCA President/CEO

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