18 WESTERN PALLET
More Speaker Highlights from the WPA 2020 AGM
People, Planet, Profit
People, Planet, Profits
This month, we return with more highlights from the 2022 Annual meeting, including reports from Henry Quesada, Chaille Brindley and Adele Abrams. Henry Quesada, speaking as Professor and Extension Specialist, Virginia Tech, discussed how continuous improvement efforts in the pallet industry can impact profits, the environment and society. He emphasized that there are various frameworks that companies can use to create value.
Frameworks for quality and process control, for example, include lean manufacturing, six sigma, and quality circles. According to Quesada, these different approaches are focused on the same thing, which is to increase quality and improve processes. There are other frameworks available to aid company management. “There are a lot of options, depending on where you want to go,” he said.
While a lot of companies are looking at automation for manufacturing, he stressed that there are supporting processes that would also benefit from automation such as human resources, payroll, and information technology.
Even small process improvements can make a big difference, he noted. “Just keep in mind that there are really basic things that we can do that are really powerful and can really help you with your bottom line,” he said. “It's not about starting from the top. Start with really basic things, and try to get a commitment that you want to make things in a better way.”
Quesada stressed the importance of building a culture of innovation with your people. “Let's empower our people, let's educate our people, let's create professional development opportunities,” he said. “How do we motivate people? How do we inspire people? I've been teaching for almost 24 years. Everybody can teach anything. But the ones that can inspire you, those are the ones that make the difference.”
Not Your Father’s Pallet Industry
From automation to consolidation to supply chain disruption, today’s pallet industry is facing dramatic change. Speakers at this year’s WPA Annual Meeting helped attendees to put some of these changes into perspective.
Chaille Brindley's presentation, "This Isn't Your Father's Pallet Industry", summarized some of the events that collectively resulted in a tumultuous year in 2021:
•Historic lumber and core pricing.
•Shortages for major pallet poolers send ag sector scurrying for pallets.
•Severe labor shortages and skyrocketing labor rates.
•Distribution centers hold more pallet stock, release less onto open market.
•Sharp rise for pallet demand, sustained into 2022 (particularly for used pallets)
•Major consolidation trend in the recycled industry hits into high gear.
•Recyclers turn to combos and recycled lumber for material supply.
•More COVID strains and disruptions… Government Regulation Uncertainty!
•Severe nail, supply and transportation shortages.
•Historic inflation.