18 WESTERN PALLET
Tell Your Sustainability Story:
Highlights from Interpal 2023
Montreal, Canada – The highly anticipated Interpal Conference 2023, a gathering of the global wood packaging industry every four years, concluded on a high note in Montreal from October 3 to October 5. Co-hosted by the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA) and theCanadian Wood Pallet and Container Association (CWPCA), the event marked a significant milestone in the global pallet industry calendar. Several WPA members were in attendance.
Participants converged on Montreal from around the world. Interpal 2023 witnessed an exceptional turnout, welcoming over 480 participants from 18 countries, including Brazil, China, Malaysia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Event attendees used the opportunity to discuss new ideas and innovations, network, and collaborate on industry best practices, business strategies, and emerging technologies. With sustainability being top of mind, the conference focused on further advancing the sustainable practices and technologies the wood packaging sector is currently championing. Another key focus was what lies ahead for global wood supply.
Three New Pallet Plants Toured
Following an opening reception on October 3, attendees enjoyed a full day of of tours at leading Quebec pallet manufacturing facilities. The six buses made stops at two Herwood facilities as well as Interco and LCN. Participants gained invaluable insights into cutting-edge automation, innovation, and efficient processes. Must-see equipment included a robotic pallet dismantler and several state-of-the-art pallet nailing lines. And as always, plant tours provide great opportunities for attendees around the world to network on the bus and on the plant floor. After the last tour, the group enjoyed lunch at Herwood. “They're all different and unique in their own way,” CWPCA’s Scott Geffros explained at the conference. “And that was vital (in the planning process).”
The next day, October 5, featured educational programming. One novel and effective approach to the format was to have an expert outside speaker address a theme and then, following that presentation, have an international panel of industry participants to give their perspectives.
Sustainability: Give Them a Compelling Story
The first theme pertained to unlocking sustainability in the global supply chain. “When we think about overall
buzzword, but truly a necessity, businesses of all kinds are adopting practices to align with carbon reduction, known as ESG strategies. ESG is simply a yardstick to measure the performance and sustainability angle of your business.”
Businesses are being urged to actively participate in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) discussions, emphasizing how their products can aid in achieving sustainability goals, according to Matt Beck of Delphi Group, the first keynote speaker. Industry experts believe that companies are eagerly searching for compelling narratives that align with their ESG strategies.
“If you can give them a story to tell, even if it's just a small sliver of the big picture of the full lifecycle of their products, they're going to latch on to that to your friend and your customer for a long time,” Beck said. Such collaborations can lead to long-term customer loyalty.
He emphasized the importance of being in charge of your own story and not relying on others to tell it for you. It is essential to have consistent messaging that customers are happy to embrace and share.
In the following panel session, Mike Hachtman of 48forty Solutions, one of the panelists, commented that ESG reporting was intensifying for his company. While major retailers were previously happy with an annual report, now they expect one quarterly.
“I guarantee you,” he said, “each and every one of you in this room, within the next three years, will have a customer come to you as a tier two or tier three supplier to say how much carbon is in the product you're supplying? How much carbon does your business produce? Because their customers are making them roll that up into the box of cereal or whatever they're selling. And if you don't have the answer, when they call, or if you can't get that answer, they will find somebody who will get them the answer, because they will be required to do so.”
Russ Taylor of Russ Taylor Global, the second keynote speaker, offered critical insights into the evolving global lumber market. With 30 years in the industry, including a 15-year stint in China, Taylor's perspective holds considerable weight.
Taylor emphasized the dominant role of Europe, USA, China, Russia, and Canada in global log and lumber dynamics, collectively contributing to over 87% of the market. He remarked on the rising costs due to the scarcity of cheap logs and the growth driven by demand in nations like China, India, Brazil, and Indonesia.