Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/990149
W hat does this headline mean to you? What does this headline mean to the industry? What does this headline mean for NWPCA? The daily headlines about international trade, the impact of trade policies, and a growing global connectiveness continue to place, front-and-center, the key challenges and opportunities facing our industry sector. The World Trade Organization anticipates merchandise trade volume growth of 4.4% in 2018, as measured by the average of exports and imports, roughly matching the 4.7% increase recorded for 2017, and continuing to exceed U.S. GDP. An example closer to home is ExxonMobil, who is planning to invest more than $20 billion over 10 years to build and expand 11 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Gulf region with most of the new chemical capacity investment geared toward export markets. Wood packaging remains the dominant product of choice for global manufacturers and exporters, and as global growth continues to surge, this 'globalization' provides significant opportunities for NWPCA to work closer with international wood packaging federations on shared priorities and concerns. The increased internationalism also drives NWPCA's investments in our strategic plan, from launching a new version of PDS that now includes eight international languages, to focusing our advocacy efforts to counteract attempts to restrict wood packaging in international trade. Nearer term, we are looking forward to Interpal 2018 in Minneapolis this September, and to hosting a meeting of the Global Forum. This conference occurs once every four years, and is an excellent opportunity for you to meet and build a global network with wood packaging companies from around the world, while seeing first-hand the latest automation trends at a global trade show with 50+ exhibitors. Interpal also features a full day of plant tours (more than nine NWPCA members are serving as hosts). We expect 600 to attend, and at the time of this writing, 200 have already made their plans to make this the largest global gathering of wood packaging federations in 2018. International trade is booming, and many of your customers are now "going global." How does this impact you … and how can NWPCA assist? Drop me a line and let me know. From lumber supplies, to international standards, to the importance of ISPM15, we are more globally interconnected now than ever before. I look forward to seeing you at Interpal this September as we celebrate this great wood packaging community. Sincerely, 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 Larry Howell, Cottondale Wood Products Chairman-Elect Jordan Piland, Atlas Pallets/ A Div. of Williamsburg Millwork Corp. Past Chair Shane Thompson, WestWind Logistics Secretary/Treasurer Frank Shean, Valley Pallet Director at Large Mike Hachtman, Relogistics Services. President/CEO Brent J. McClendon, CAE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Carolyn Beach-Skinner, Westside Pallet Peter Berry, Berry Industrial Kathleen Dietrich, Commercial Lumber & Pallet David Grimes, Pallet Resources of NC Bernie Kamps, Kamps, Inc. Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallets & Services Joe O'Brien, Industrial Pallet Rob Trexler, Pasadena Skid & Pallet Howe Wallace, PalletOne, Bartow, FL Nick Wenner, Pallet Service Corp. Jimmy Wilson, Bay Wood Products International Director Mike Vrugteveen, Niagara Pallet & Recyclers Associate's Representative Jeff Williams, PRS Group, Inc. International Director Emeritus Jan Fredell, Fredells Travaru AB NWPCA 6 PalletCentral • May-June 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 Going Global Brent J. McClendon, CAE NWPCA President/CEO