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12 Industry Thought Leaders Insights on Automation Automation technologies is a significant topic of discussion for the wood packaging industry. Why has industry been slow to adapt? This article compiles insights from industry thought leaders on how to get started with automation and address solutions around automation and robotics. 4 PalletCentral • May-June 2018 palletcentral.com ECONOMY 24 Supply Disruptions Drive Lumber Prices At the end of 2017 lumber prices moved up dramatically. Initially the increase in prices was thought to reflect the forest fires and the imposition of the import duty for Canadian lumber shipped into the United States. The surge was expected to be temporary. For this article, economist explains these and other factors contributing to the rising costs in lumber. By Lynn Michaelis ENVIRONMENT 30 Partnerships: Finding Common Ground on Forest Health, Forest Markets Joining NWPCA in a discussion on the intersection of the wood packaging industry with healthy forests and healthy communities is Chris Topic from The Nature Conservancy. This leading environmental organization spoke with PalletCentral in a Q&A to address the importance of working together, and how vital the wood packaging sector is in maintaining healthy forests. BUSINESS 36 Are Small Businesses Over Confident? For the past year and a half, many surveys have reported rising optimism among small business owners. Most recently, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced the largest increase on record for its quarterly small business index. Blogger, and accountant, shares why businesses may be overconfident and addresses concerns as we finish out 2018. Blog by Gene Marks V O L . 1 8 | N O . 3 Depar tments President's Message ..........................................................4 Inside NWPCA ......................................................................8 Advertisers ........................................................................40 CAPITOL HILL CORNER 10 Policy at Play – Jackie Walorski is Champion of Manufacturing, Farming & Small Business in Indiana Given the importance of the wood pallet industry to manufacturers, small businesses, and other job creators in Indiana, having champions on the Hill are critical to help address NWPCA priorities. If tax reform regulation and roll-back on burdensome regulations are any indication, Congress is getting the message via NWPCA advocates like Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. SAFETY 18 NIOSH's Research Agenda's Third Decade: Implications for Safety The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) has continued working to improve its research programs by updating its National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), which is entering its third decade. NORA is a partnership program to stimulate innovative research and workplace interventions. In combination with other initiatives, the products of this program are expected to reduce the occurrence of injuries and illnesses at work. By Adele L. Abrams, Esq., CMSP 39 Free OSHA Consultation Program Helps Small Businesses Establish Safety & Health Programs Employers can find out about potential hazards at their worksites, improve their occupational safety and health management system, and qualify for an exemption from scheduled OSHA enforcement inspections when they request assistance from the agency's free, confidential, and voluntary on-site program. Published six times annually by the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association, 1421 Prince Street, Suite 340, Alexandria, VA 22314. Tel: 703-519-6104; info@palletcentral.com. Subscriptions to PalletCentral are complimentary, however you need to subscribe: PalletCentral.com>>Subscribe. Changes and Renewals: Current subscribers may sign-in at PalletCentral.com>>Edit Bio (look for "Additional Information" to manage your subscription and edit your mailing address. Or fax changes to: 703-519-4720.The NWPCA does not sell our mailing list; data collected from PalletCentral subscribers is solely used for tracking our readership. Stay Connected FEATURES Pallet Central I N S I D E Cover Background: iStockphoto.com/zssp iStockphoto.com/Andrey Suslov