Pallets & People
The Core of Our Industry
Is Our xxx
Dear WPA members and friends,
Glenn
Glenn Meeks
Executive Vice President
Western Pallet Association
July 2025
September 2025
We’re living in a time when automation, government policy, and technology are changing how companies in our sector operate. Add in the ongoing challenge of recruiting people willing to take on demanding work, and it’s clear: this is not just a business hurdle - it’s a pallet industry reality.
But here’s the good news: resilience has always been a core value in our industry. Today’s pallet companies are investing in their workforce, offering new training pathways like online learning, and putting employee development at the center of retention efforts. From better safety gear to more creative advancement opportunities, employers are finding that small meaningful changes can have a big impact.
The September issue of WPA Magazine takes a hard look at these dynamics—not just the policies shaping the labor landscape, but the culture we create inside our own facilities. Because ultimately, people don’t stay for rules or paychecks alone. They stay when they feel valued, safe, and supported.
As leaders and managers in the pallet industry, we are called to look beyond checklists and safety briefs. We have a responsibility to build workplaces that honor the grit and dedication of our teams. When we do, we don’t just strengthen companies - we strengthen the entire pallet industry.
In our march toward technology and automation, we must continue to invest in people. Not as “resources,” but as the reason we show up, build better products, and grow. When people thrive, so does the industry.