JUNE 2022
48forty Solutions Acquires Girard Wood Products Recycling Division
48forty Solutions, a leading national provider of recycled pallets and pallet management services, announced that it had completed its first carve-out acquisition, purchasing the pallet recycling division operations of Girard Wood Products. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Girard Wood Products has been a trusted industry name since 1961. The Company was acquired by John Vipond in 1982 and is now owned and operated by his son Scott Vipond. Girard Wood Products manufactures new and custom pallets and recycles used pallets in multiple locations in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The Company’s Pallet Recycling Division sits on 11 acres in Lacey, Washington, with more than 60 employees, nine tractors, and over 175 privately owned trailers.
Girard Wood Products prides itself on providing consistent quality and exceptional customer service to local and national customers. Scott Vipond will retain ownership of the remainder of Girard Wood Products and continue his efforts to grow the new pallet manufacturing business.
“Over the years, Scott Vipond and Girard Wood Products have been incredibly valuable and well-respected partners to 48forty,” said Mike
Hachtman, the CEO of 48forty. “The Pallet Recycling Division is not only situated in a highly strategic location, but it is also highly efficient and well-run. This acquisition will allow 48forty to provide even better service to our customers in that region, many of whom are only a few short miles away from the plant.”
“We’ve worked hard at Girard to build high-quality new and used pallet programs over the years, to serve our customers with pride throughout changing market conditions,” added Scott Vipond, the President of Girard Wood Products. “We are confident that we have chosen the right partner with 48forty, which will continue this tradition with our recycling customers in a way that’s beneficial for all stakeholders.”
This latest deal continues a series of acquisitions by 48forty, including moves to acquire businesses across the country, including Pallet Consultants, as well as several others.