26 WESTERN PALLET
•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.
Kamps Acquires Realm Companies LLC
Kamps, Inc., one of the nation’s leading pallet organizations, has announced the strategic acquisition of Realm Companies LLC, a portfolio company of Great Range Capital. The company is based in Newton, IA.
Specializing in the complete lifecycle management of pallets, Realm offers pallet manufacturing, pallet recovery, and sustainable recycling services. As the parent company of WestWind Logistics LLC, Realm also offers freight services, reverse logistics, and on-site (TPM) pallet services. Realm is the fifth strategic acquisition Kamps has completed in 2022 and the 14th under the majority ownership of private equity firm Freeman Spogli & Co.
Realm was established in 1998 as a warehousing company by Chris Barton. Shortly after establishing the warehousing operations, Barton saw an opportunity to further add value to Realm’s customers by offering pallet recycling solutions. Since then, Realm has grown to become a dominant pallet, crates, and logistics solutions provider across five states.
A recent acquisition of WestWind strengthened Realm’s regional capabilities and transformed it into a comprehensive supply chain solutions provider throughout the Midwest. Realm has 180 employees, nine warehouse and manufacturing sites, and 900 trailers. All Realm and WestWind employees, including owner Chris Barton, will be transitioned to Kamps employees upon closing of the transaction.