WPA Message to Members
to
Members
Dear WPA members and friends,
Glenn
Glenn Meeks
Executive Vice President
Western Pallet Association
The WPA 2026 Annual Meeting made one thing clear: this industry does not stand still. The conversation and energy throughout the weekend reflected a membership that understands change is here, and they are ready to meet it head on.
This next issue’s theme, The Next Big Thing, isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about preparation. As the Madison Lumber Reporter-market report reminds us, even in uncertain conditions, stability and discipline create opportunities. Companies that plan ahead are better positioned when conditions shift.
The transition from Timber to Tech is not a sudden change but a deliberate one. It is driven by focus, leadership, and the willingness to rethink how we operate. The challenge is not simply adding the next new tool. It’s identifying the essential actions we take that move the business from “where we are today to where we want to be”. And then doing them consistently.
Being prepared has emerged as a defining theme for 2026. Risk management, safety, and operational discipline are no longer back-office concerns. As highlighted in our issue, the companies that succeed will be those that treat preparation as part of daily operations, not something addressed only when problems arise.
On a personal level, leadership begins with understanding who we are, what we do well, and how we show up for others – this month, we provide a reminder that business growth often follows growth in self-awareness.
This year’s Annual Meeting reinforced the association’s commitment to helping members navigate what comes next with new initiatives for funding education and resources that benefit all the members of the pallet industry.
The Next Big Thing is not a tool or technology. It is a mindset focused on preparation, adaptability, and “Building Better Together.”
Now the work begins.
8 WESTERN PALLET