May 2026
Barry Kornegay, P.E.
3. What are some of the key challenges you have faced in the pallet industry? How has the WPA helped you navigate them?
As stated earlier, being new to the pallet industry makes it difficult to navigate the number of pallet manufacturers and get the decision makers for equipment inquiries. Networking is an important ingredient to success in this business. WPA provides an outlet for this networking process. Key decision makers are investing in this networking process to enhance their outreach and keep up to date on emerging technologies.
SET thrives on repeat customers. Once an opportunity presents itself and expectations are met, customers will come back for future projects.
4. From your perspective, what are the emerging opportunities or challenges for the pallet industry?
Two of the main areas of concentration for SET is to reach out to established customers with an engineering staff where we can come alongside them and develop viable equipment for their specific needs. Secondly, those family-owned small businesses that do not have engineering capabilities can rely on SET for an evaluation of their process to give them a shopping list of equipment that will enhance their productivity and profit margins. The planning of these capital expenditures is a critical factor in their success.
5. What advice would you give to new members of the WPA?
Having only been a member since April 2026, we have found a wealth of knowledge and contacts among the existing members. Membership in WPA is an investment. Like any other business venture, the return on investment is determined by one’s own investment. As stated earlier, this cannot just be a take-all investment; you must be willing to give back to realize the future return. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience that lies within this matrix of manufacturers and suppliers.
Absolute integrity, being a champion of innovation, productive teamwork, creativity and tenacity, listening to understand, and proclaiming to make a difference is the key to success in this global marketplace.
June 2026