APRIL 2020
“The only thing we have changed so far is we are being selective in new business and tightening collection of receivables,” Herzog continued. “We run our business model with very little debt and no layoffs. We hope to weather the storm as best as possible.”
Closing offices and handling freight paperwork in the yard
“Our operation has been business as usual so far,” reported Carolyn Beach-Skinner of Westside Pallet, a supplier of new and used pallets. “Sales are steady and we have actually been able to hire a few new employees that lost their jobs recently,” she reported of the WPA-member company based in Newman CA. “And so far getting our lumber and supplies have been normal.”
Westside has currently closed its office to truck drivers and other outside people. “All paper transactions for deliveries happen outside in the yard with social distancing measures in place the best we can,” she said.
After considerable effort, the company was eventually able to source disinfectants and sanitizers. Employees were given a copy of the memo stating that pallets are “essential” in case of being questioned by authorities, but it has not been an issue.
Sanitizing common touchpoints
Meanwhile, WPA-member Ox Box of Addison IL reports that business is holding up but is seeing signs of short term softening. “We’re committed to maintaining our capacity as we’re anticipating a significant uptick in business when everyone returns to full operations,” said Guy Ockerlund, President of Ox Box.
“In the meantime,” he continued, “we’ve implemented a variety of new safety procedures and policies to reduce the risk for our team members. In addition to supplying PPE (personal protective equipment) and disinfecting surfaces, we’re fogging employee break areas, work centers, tools, and machine control panels with antiviral solution daily.”
Hitting the ground running once the economy reopens
Like Ox Box and other WPA-member companies interviewed for this article, Pompano Beach FLA-based Pallet Consultants is readying itself to serve businesses reopening after the crisis.
“Our facilities across the board are increasing their recycled pallet inventory and have been receiving high numbers of cores,” stated the company.
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company. “Our network is positioning itself to hit the ground running once businesses start to reopen, and have maintained or increased both staffing levels and pallet production.
“Companywide, we are looking to continue hiring and are up 10% in YTD sales. Additionally, customer service and client relations have been a focus for all warehouse managers as we have been regularly assisting current customers and onboarding new ones throughout the pandemic.”
Pallet Consultants facilities are adapting as best they can to their shifting regional economies. Locations near ports are doing a mixture of temporary pivots to alternative market segments, increasing their service area, and streamlining operations for additional efficiency and flexibility. Other locations have maintained their revenue and business by supplying active and essential supply chains with few negative impacts.
Pallets will play an integral role in the shipment of goods as the economy reopens across all sectors. WPA-member companies continue to serve essential industries and are positioning themselves to expand services to other customers as the country gradually reopens for business.