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January-February 2018

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s automation, labor and the workforce in manufacturing industries continue to make national headlines, and at your business, NWPCA is tackling these two issues head-on. In fact, workforce and automation have become the two latest additions to NWPCA's Strategic Plan, and has become a primary focus of the 2018 ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (ALC), MARCH 7-9 IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA. At press, there were already over 500 pallet industry leaders registered for what is on-track to be another record-setting attendance. The Exhibitor Showcase (pages 12-13), featuring the latest in products and services for the wood packaging sector, will complement the education program on workforce and automation. Below is a sampling of what to expect during this premier networking event. Keynote AddReSS: "you're the Commander of your Ship" A popular keynote speaker for audiences looking to ramp up organizational performance, Michael Abrashoff, is a retired Navy Commander and progressive leadership expert. He has spoken to every industry and kind of audience – from board retreats to front line personnel; from sales groups to universities; from Fortune 500s to startups. At 36, he took command of a ship plagued by low morale, high turnover and low performance evaluations. A year later, it ranked #1 in performance, with the same crew. The lesson was clear: leadership matters and culture is everything. His innovative approach broke from the traditional command- and-control leadership style and sought to see the ship from the eyes of his crew. Mike will share strategies, tactics and tools necessary to unleash innovation, lead significant change and increase operational performance. workforce & Automation – Pallet Building & Pallet Recycling Imagine a steady workforce, instead of labor shortages. Imagine the number of changeovers you can make in a matter of seconds, instead of minutes. Setting the stage for this fast moving, dynamic conversation on labor and automation is Brent Weil, former executive from The Manufacturing Institute. You'll also hear from fellow industry thought leaders Bill MacCauley, John Rock, Inc. and Paul Lovett, Palnet USA, as they facilitate two panels that examine the high pain points and robotic applications in pallet manufacturing (new, reman, combo) and recycling facilities (sorting, repairing, dismantling), and how advancements in technology can help improve safety, operational and cost efficiencies. Panel participation includes representatives from the following: Alliance Automation, Automated Machine Systems, CAPE, Corali, PRS Group, Smart Products, Storti SpA, Viking Engineering and Development, and Wood-Mizer. Millennials & workforce Retention Manufacturing industries, especially, are seeing a tight labor market that continues to move further downward. The implementation of robotics and automation can help, but putting people to work is key. Fellow industry experts James Ruder, L&R Pallet and Chris Lasseter, Summerford Pallet Company, will share insights on labor recruitment and retention, and highlight their more successful and innovative solutions in creating a community in the workplace where employees feel valued and integral to the business' success. one year of donald trump, the Mid-term elections & Beyond Take a look back on the past year with President Donald Trump and into the next year. Josh Kraushaar, National Journal, will discuss political activities under the Trump administration and what it means for the wood packaging sector. He will give a prognosis on the mid-term elections for Senate and House of Representative races, as well as the Presidential election in 2020. Kraushaar is political editor for National Journal and pens the weekly "Against the Grain" column. He also appears as a political analyst on television and radio, including FOX News, MSNBC, CNN, National Public Radio and C-SPAN. 10 PalletCentral • January-February 2018 palletcentral.com A "Manufacturing in a Time of Mayhem" ALC PREVIEW

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