ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN 2005
 
Alternative Materials (Plastic, Corrugated, etc.)
Airdex Offers Line of Plastic Pallets - Pallets Are Lightweight, Shock Absorbent (3/1/2005)
Airdex Seeks to License Wood Pallet Suppliers to Produce Its Foam Pallets - Maker of light-weight foam pallets for air freight and export applications begins offering its patented manufacturing system to pallet suppliers. (11/1/2005)
Rehrig Pacific Launches New Business, Looks to the Future - Leading manufacturer of plastic pallets and containers enters the pallet services arena; Rehrig Pacific acquires portion of Penn Pallet and its interest in Penn-Alliance. (11/1/2005)

Associations
Emerging Technology For Wood Processing - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Members of Western Pallet Association Gather in California for Annual Meeting - Regional Trade Organization Growing as Revitalization Efforts Pay Dividends (3/1/2005)
Mt. Valley Focused on Selling What Customers Want and Adding Value - Package Research Laboratory, Innovative Data Systems Key Partners in Supplying Heat-Treated Pallets (3/1/2005)
NWPCA Annual Meeting: Shared Vision United Goals - Today change would be a good single word to describe both the pallet industry and the NWPCA. Networking at association meetings continues to be one of the most popular characteristics. (6/1/2005)
Canadian Pallet Council Members Gather to ‘Connect for the Future’ - Members of the Canadian Pallet Council gather for annual meeting; group honors two people with annual awards and elects leadership for the coming year. (7/1/2005)
Letter from Ed -- Center for Unit Load Design Expands Scope - In late May, I had the pleasure of attending the preliminary advisory committee meeting for the Center for Unit Load Design. Almost thirty people attended, many of whom will serve on the Center’s initial advisory board, which will probably meet for the first time this fall. Representatives attended from the pallet industry, machinery manufacturers, pallet users, and association leaders. Pallet users included representatives from IBM, P&G, Eastman Chemical, Seimens, and the U.S. Navy. (7/1/2005)

Design/Engineering Research
Effect of Stringer Repair Methods and Repair Frequency on GMA Performance - Plating, Full or Half Companion Stringers Can Restore Bending Strength (2/2/2005)

Environmental Issues
Trees Answer Questions About Future - The Sensible Environmentalist (1/3/2005)
FS Planning Rules Christmas Gift to Industry or Sound Policy Changes? - Thinking Ahead -- Letter from Chaille (2/7/2005)
The Sensible Environmentalist: ‘Where Is Green Steel, Concrete?’ - Dear Dr. Moore: My son thinks steel is environmentally friendlier than wood because it’s recyclable, but I think wood is better because it grows back. Who’s right? (10/1/2005)

Equipment, Products & Services
New Management Approach Opens Books for Employee Scrutiny - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Pallet Manufacturer Reaps Benefits from Management Technology, Wireless System - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Bandmills, Gang Saws Provide Options at Secondary Breakdown - Sawlines Column (3/1/2005)
Pendu Acquires Cornell - Acquisition Plan Was Announced Earlier (3/1/2005)
Smetco Kit Converts Dismantler to Resaw - Low-Cost Kit Modifies Machine (3/1/2005)
Ellison Sales Offers Montgomery Parts - Innovation Helps Maintain Montgomery Hogs (4/1/2005)
Viking Develops New Pallet Stamp - Automatically Prints Labels on Pallets (4/1/2005)
Schwerdtle Offers Electric Branders - Hand-Held and Press Models Available (4/1/2005)
Grizzly Resaw Provides Accurate, Consistent Cutting - 12-Inch Horizontal Band Resaw Runs 1-inch Blade (4/1/2005)
Vecoplan Offers Modular Drag Chain Conveyors - (5/2/2005)
Orange Box Hopper Provides Self-Dumping - (5/2/2005)
WEIMA Manufactures 3 Classes of Grinders - Grinder Review (5/2/2005)
Bandit Helps Recycle Wood Waste - Grinder Review (5/2/2005)
Vecoplan Supplies ReTech Grinders - Grinding Review (5/2/2005)
West Salem Machinery Provides Waste Solutions - Grinder Review (5/2/2005)
Concept Products Introduces New Shred-All - Grinder Review (5/2/2005)
Tryco-UNTHA Offers Options for Grinding - Grinder Review (5/2/2005)
Thompson Magnetics Remove Nails from Grindings - Grinder Review (5/2/2005)
Schutte Buffalo Provides Solution to Truss Plant - Grinder Review (5/2/2005)
Rotochopper’s New StopWatch System Protects Grinders from Tramp Metal - Grinder Review (5/2/2005)
Cresswood Mega Destroyer Is Heavy-Duty Grinder - Grinder Review (5/2/2005)
Advanced Recycling Equipment Supplies Grinders, Biomass Combustion Systems - Grinder Review (5/2/2005)
Software Analyzes Feasibility of Saw Kerf Reduction for Hardwood Mills - Computer software program from Mississippi State University can help companies analyze if they would benefit from reducing saw kerf on head rigs and resaws. (6/1/2005)
New on the Market - New Products (7/1/2005)
Nailing Table Review -- Nailing Tables, Jigs Aid Workers, Improve Production and Quality - Even large companies rely on hand nailing to assemble some small orders and custom pallets; nailing tables, stations and jigs are low-tech but provide important benefits. (7/1/2005)
Proper Air Supply System Is a Key Aspect of Maintaining Nailing Tools - Article provided by Stanley-Bostitch describes how properly designed and maintained compressed air supply system can help ensure optimum performance of pneumatic nailing tools. (7/1/2005)
New on the Market - New machinery. (8/1/2005)
Rough Mills Should Regularly Evaluate Lumber Grade Mix - Rough Mill Guide: U.S. Forest Service updates its guide for operators of rough sawmills; first chapter examines factors that impact yield and value. (9/1/2005)
New on the Market - New Products (9/1/2005)
G-Tek Sells Assets to Brewco Inc. - Brewco acquires the assets of G-Tek, and members of G-Tek staff join the Brewco team. (11/1/2005)
Pallet Wizard Software Has Roots In Ohio Pallet Company - Pallet Wizard is a computer software program for drawing pallets that was developed for pallet manufacturers and recyclers by the managers of an Ohio pallet company. (12/1/2005)
Pallet Design System (PDS) Undergoes Significant Changes - Changes are in the works for the Pallet Design System software program that will give the program enhanced graphic capabilities to draw pallets. (12/1/2005)
AMS Beta Program Brings Enterprise Resource Planning to Pallet Industry - Automated Machine Systems provides computer programs for pallet manufacturers and recyclers; customers use beta version of Enterprise Resource Planning program. (12/1/2005)
Innovative Data Systems Offers Computer, Other Technology - Innovative Data Systems supplies a number of different computer software programs and other technology to the pallet and sawmill industry. (12/1/2005)
Deploy Tech Readies New Versions of Crate and Container Design Software - Crate Generator, a software program for designing wooden crates and containers, has been around since the 1980s; Deploy Tech’s latest version is called Crate Pro. (12/1/2005)
iLogic Has Been Partner in Developing Pallet Industry Information Technology - iLogic Inc. has been developing software solutions for the pallet industry for over 20 years; it has taken advantage of the Internet to develop Web-based solutions to capture and share pallet information. (12/1/2005)
Small German Pallet Company Offers Retrieval Services in Much of Europe - A modest German pallet company, Alles Paletti-Paletten (AP Paletten), has chosen to stay out of the extremely large and competitive Europallet market. (12/1/2005)
New on the Market - New Products (12/1/2005)

Forest Health
Forest Management Prevents Fires - The Sensible Environmentalist (4/1/2005)
Timber in Southern California Still Yielding Low-Grade Opportunities Drought, Insects, Fire Create Brief Window of Low-Grade Salvage Timber - Drought, insects and fire have created opportunities for obtaining salvage timber in southern California and processing the logs into low-grade lumber. (6/1/2005)

General Advice
Government Grants Provide Great Source for Capital Improvements, Expansion Funding - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Out with the Old, in with the New - Letter From Ed (1/3/2005)
Lean Manufacturing Offers Manufacturing Efficiencies, Improvements - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Anticipating the Next Move – Managing Customer Expectations - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Past Provides Valuable Pallet Management Tips - Column: Markets in Transition (2/2/2005)
Growing Companies Face Challenges of Managing Multiple Plant Locations - Managers offer ideas on dealing with growing pains. (4/1/2005)
Strategies for Healthy Families Building Successful Companies - Much of the success of a family business depends on relationships and the skills of the family running the show. (5/2/2005)
The Pallet Business – Is It Changing? - Letter from Ed (5/2/2005)
So You Want to Get in The Pallet Business? - What would it take to make an entry into the pallet industry and start a business manufacturing new pallets? Article examines what is required for start-up operations. (8/1/2005)
Key to Start-Up Recycling Operation Is Developing Reliable Supply of Cores - One of the keys to starting a pallet recycling business in the current market is developing a reliable supply of cores; teaming with existing pallet recyclers can help get a new business going. (8/1/2005)
Deductible Buy Down Option to Control Costs - With the ever rising costs of health insurance, employers in every industry have begun scrambling to find ways to reduce their premium costs while still maintaining employee participation in their plans. (8/1/2005)
Violent Brainstorming: Mining Eureka Moments From Your Employees - Brainstorming: If you are not listening to your managers and staff, how do you know what is really going on in your business? Brainstorming with employees can produce good ideas. (9/1/2005)
Letter from Ed: The New Pallet Board: Users Will Discover Its Benefits in Time - Many of you know that we recently changed the software that manages the Pallet Board. Some have questioned why we changed software and why we selected the one we installed. (9/1/2005)
Risk Control Techniques For Pallet Operations - How far does a business have to go to protect itself against liability losses and guard against the rising cost of liability insurance? (11/1/2005)

Government
Revised Roadless Rule Asks Those In The Know to Help Make Decisions - Bush administration makes controversial decision to let localities have a say in managing roadless areas of national forests; preservationists criticize the move while others say it is the right thing to do. (7/1/2005)

Grading Standards
Saw Lines Edging, Trimming, Grading, Sorting - Following the previous articles focusing on methods used for primary and secondary breakdown, which produce boards and cants, the next steps in lumber production are to cut off the waney edges, trim to length, square off the ends, and sort the lumber. Grading also comes into the sorting process. For those unfamiliar with the term wane, it refers to a rough edge of a board, cut from the outside of a log. (6/1/2005)

Industry Standards
Thinking Ahead–Letter from Chaille: Is the Industry Facing a Tipping Point? - Are we facing some critical tipping points as the industry matures, global supply shifts, customer demands change and consolidation leads to increased competition? (10/1/2005)

International Market
International Commerce Impacts U.S. Pallet Demand - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Mexican Pallet Company Weathers Change in Currency Exchange Rates - Multipallets de Juarez Adds Marshall & Henderson Pallet Heat-Treating System (3/1/2005)
The World Is Changing Rapidly - Interpal Provides Chance of the Decade (3/1/2005)
Interpal VI Coming This Summer - Global Pallet Industry Meeting Will Be Held in Canada (3/1/2005)
French Pallet Maker Committed To Excellence and Improvement: Corali Nailing Machine Is Workhorse of Assembly Operations - Leading pallet manufacturing company in France is committed to excellence and improvement; Francepal relies heavily on automated equipment for assembling and painting pallets. (8/1/2005)
Markets in Transition: Loscam a Market Leader in SE Asia - When Australian pallet pool company Loscam first was encouraged to enter the Asian market by some of its multinational customers a dozen years ago, it knew it would have its work cut out for it. (8/1/2005)
EUR-Pallets 101:How The Largest General Exchange Pool In The World Works - With 300-500 million pallets, the European Pallet Pool is the largest in the world; a look at the Euro block-style pallet and the European Pallet Association, the largest controlling organization of the pool. (8/1/2005)

Law
CHEP Loses First Major Jury Trial - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Stick ’Em Up! Give Me All of Your Pallets! - Pallet Theft Becomes a Serious Problem for Recyclers in Some Markets (3/1/2005)
Letter to the Editor - Pat Hanley of North Central Pallets speaks out on how unfair preferential treatment in bankruptcy can be to small business people. Pallet people are a target of this practice. (6/1/2005)
Thinking Ahead–Letter from Chaille: Just One More Little Thing... - Buckeye Diamond Logistics has settled its case with CHEP USA; and the federal appeals court has overturned the monetary award and ruling in the Mock Pallet Co. case. (8/1/2005)
Buckeye Settles CHEP Case: Mock Loses Appeal; Ruling Provides Hope to Industry - CHEP and Buckeye Diamond Logistics settle dispute out of court; CHEP scores a win in appeal of another case involving Mock Pallet Co. although ruling could have silver lining for the industry. (8/1/2005)

Lumber Drying
Sawlines: Options Abound for Lumber Drying - We now come to one of the final stages in the lumber manufacturing process, namely drying. We also will introduce the terminology used in the lumber drying process. (9/1/2005)

Lumber Market
Hardwood Flooring Market Runs in Cycles - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Texas Lumberman Wins Big Buck Photo Contest - Winning Deer Bagged on Texas Ranch (3/1/2005)
Industry Analysts to Hold Market Conference - Raw materials cost increases impact the price of pallets and low grade lumber. Conference addresses future of the market. Experts say it could get worse. (10/1/2005)

New Pallet Manufacturing
If You Can’t Beat ’Em, Join ’Em - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
East Brady Lumber Co. Adjusts, Adapts to Changing Industrial Transformation: Pennsylvania Pallet Manufacturer Uses Pendu Cut-Up Line, Viking and GBN N - Pennsylvania pallet manufacturer relies on a complete Pendu cut-up line, from unscrambler to stacker, for remanufacturing hardwood cants into pallet components. (2/1/2005)
Truck Leasing Program Puts Valley Pallet in the Driver’s Seat for Savings - (5/2/2005)
Investments in Plants, Machinery Keep Canadian Company on Growth Track - Two GBN Lines Enable Groupe Savoie to Achieve High Volume Production (5/2/2005)
John Rock – A Prescription to Growth in Pallet Manufacturing - A Show Place for Brewer and Viking Machinery (5/2/2005)
British Pallet Company Stays On Track for Growth, Expansion Tyne & Wear Pallets Adds New Storti Nailing Machine - British pallet company takes a ‘lean manufacturing’ approach to business; company adds new Storti Flex 90 nailing machine to increase nailing capacity. (6/1/2005)
Washington Organization Adapts and Forges Ahead -- L-M Equipment (US) Package Saw Helps Efficiency, Productivity - Washington organization that makes pallets and industrial lumber products adapts and moves ahead; L-M Equipment (U.S.) package saw helps improve efficiency and productivity. (7/1/2005)
Viking Engineering and Development Corp. Celebrates 30th Anniversary: Born from Pallet Company to Become an Industry Leader - Viking Anniversary: Viking Engineering has been manufacturing and supplying automated nailing machines for the pallet industry for 30 years and has been a key industry partner. (9/1/2005)
Dutch Pallet Manufacturer Combines Veteran Expertise, New Technology: Phoenix-Pallets Adds Swedish Robotic Equipment to Increase Production - Leading Dutch pallet manufacturing company relies heavily on automation for high volume production; Phoenix-Pallets adds Swedish robotic equipment to increase production. (10/1/2005)
Celina Pallet Turns to Pallet Chief Again for More Nailing Capacity: Texas Pallet Manufacturer Adds Third Machine from Pallet Chief - When Michael Ross decided he needed a new pallet nailing machine, he knew he wanted something that would be efficient, productive, and easy: a Pallet Chief. (12/1/2005)

New Products
Pendu Purchase of Cornell — A Natural Combination - Pendu-Cornell: With its acquisition of Cornell Industrial behind it, Pendu Manufacturing is positioned as a leading manufacturer and supplier to the pallet and sawmill industries. (9/1/2005)
Saw Lines: Moulding Makes Value-Added Products - (Editor’s Note: In his regular column, Alan Froome continues his discussion of sawmill ideas and methods and how they evolved, along with a review of some recent developments in technology. This series of columns is intended to be a generic overview of different methods used in the sawmill industry in response to readers’ requests.) (12/1/2005)

Pallet Lumber
Imported Lumber for Manufacturing Pallets - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Growing Weston Forest Products Adds Cut-to-Length Capacity - L-M Equipment (Canada) Package Saw Strengthens Industrial Unit (3/1/2005)
‘Urban Forest’ Offers Opportunities for Raw Material, Niche Business - Companies May Find Needed Wood and Business Opportunities (3/1/2005)
Business Goal at Clary Lumber Is Clear: Make Quality Pallet Cut Stock; - Cooper Scragg Increases Production, Flexibility; Cut-Up Line Is Brewer-Equipped (4/1/2005)
Cant, Part Volume Little Affected by Sawing Method, Study Shows - Analysis Shows Curved Sawing Small Hardwood Logs Increases Yield of Side Boards (5/2/2005)
Market Update: Hardwood Prices Rise In the Wake of Katrina - It is difficult to assess how much of the Gulf States region customer base has been damaged or even lost in the aftermath of Katrina. The loss of timber in the region is huge. The Mississippi Forestry Commission estimated the timber losses at $1.3 billion. (10/1/2005)
Future of Lumber Drying Lies in Predictive Control - New technology for controlling lumber drying process shows promise, according to researchers at Penn State University. (10/1/2005)
Ford Sawmills Focuses on Quality Lumber, Consistent Board Thickness: Viking Machine Automates Pallet Assembly Operations for Indiana Company - Indiana company is focused on quality lumber and consistent board thickness; Viking nailing machine provides automated pallet assembly. (11/1/2005)

Pallet Market
Hardwood Supplies Tight; Recycled Market Heats Up - Market Update (1/3/2005)
Hardwood Market Struggles to Maintain Working Inventory - Market Update (4/1/2005)

Pallet News
Pallet People - People in the News (6/1/2005)
A Novice Looks At the Bennett Box Auction - Machinery Auction: When a business closes, an auction to sell assets can provide opportunities to buy used equipment; article looks at recent auction at Bennett Box and Pallet. (9/1/2005)
Big Buck Contest Adds Youth Winner - Pallet Enterprise renews its third annual big buck photo contest for the 2005-06 deer hunting season; new category added for youth hunters. (11/1/2005)
Activities in the News - Current News Items (11/1/2005)

Pallet Treatment
New Pallet Treatment Options Loom on Horizon - Will Vacuums, Microwaves or Radio Frequency Treatment Be the Next Big Thing? (3/1/2005)
Major World Powers Move To Implement ISPM-15 - Phytosanitary Update (5/2/2005)
Doing the ISPM-15 Boogie - Markets in Transition (5/2/2005)
Phytosanitary Update: NAFTA Countries Delay Hard Enforcement, World Powers Squabble Over Debarking, Questions Persist - Countries begin enforcing worldwide phytosanitary standard to prevent the spread of wood-eating insects in wood pallets and packaging used for export applications. (10/1/2005)
Suppliers Offer Equipment Solutions For Heat Treating Pallets, Containers - Heat-treating pallets and lumber has come to the forefront with the establishment of global phytosanitary standards; special section provides information on suppliers of heat-treating equipment. (10/1/2005)
Temp-Air Provides H-T Options - Temp-Air offers the pallet industry a variety of options for heat treating wood packaging materials, making it easier and more cost effective to adhere to IPPC standards. (12/1/2005)

Plant Case Studies: Both
Auto Plant Spurs Growth In Pallet Recycling for South Carolina Company -- Custom Forest Products Relies on Machines from Morgan, Baker, Pacific Trai - Custom Forest Products: Auto plant spurs growth in pallet recycling for South Carolina Company; Custom Forest Products relies on machines from Morgan, Baker, Pacific Trail. (7/1/2005)
Nebraska Company Upgrades Grinder for Mulch Production: Meyer Inc. Chooses Rotochopper MC-266 for Grinding, Coloring - Rotochopper machine is integral to operations for a Nebraska sawmill and pallet manufacturer; Meyer Inc. upgrades to a new machine to increase colored mulch production. (10/1/2005)

Plant Case Studies: New Pallet Manufacturers
New Plant, Equipment, Enable Md. Company to Boost Pallet Production: Key Machinery Suppliers for Green Pallet Co. Are Pendu, GBN - Maryland pallet manufacturer makes big strides in production after moving into new plant, investing in new equipment; core suppliers are Pendu and GBN. (8/1/2005)
Changing Kentucky Company Enters Pallet Arena, Plans More Expansion: Brewer, GTEK Anchor Cut-Up Lines at Kentucky Tie & Lumber Co. - Changing Kentucky company enters the pallet arena and plans more expansion; Brewer lines of equipment produce pallet cut stock. (10/1/2005)
Southern Packaging Is Going Strong in Gulf Coast Region: Company Looks to Open Second Plant; Pendu-Cornell a Key Supplier - Louisiana pallet manufacturer is going strong on the Gulf Coast with Pendu-Cornell a key machinery supplier; company looking to add second plant in Mississippi. (11/1/2005)

Plant Case Studies: Pallet Recyclers
St. Louis Recycler Rebuilds From Fire, Automates Sort And Repair Operations: Pallet Repairs Systems Supplies Automated System - St. Louis pallet recycler rebuilds after fire; company automates pallet repair and sorting operations with Pallet Repair Systems equipment, Innovative Data Systems technology. (10/1/2005)

Recycling
N.J. Recycler Increases Automation in Order to Improve Pallet Quality - Smetco Pallet Sorting System Also Increases Throughput (1/3/2005)
Pallet Consultants Sets Up Affiliate Program - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
New Jersey Recycler Uses Unique Retrieval System - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Entrepreneur Makes a Statement and Turns a Profit at the Same Time - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
New York Company Fired Most of Its Customers in Order to Improve Profits - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
California Pallet Supplier Quick to Open the Door When Opportunity Knocks - Century Pallets Using Baker Products Portable Mill to Process Salvage Timber (2/2/2005)
Indiana Pallet Recycler Keeps Focus on Being ‘Customer Driven’ - Terry Products Relies on Econotool for Notching Cutter Heads (2/2/2005)
North Carolina Recycling Survey - Future Recycling Surveys on the Horizon? (2/2/2005)
Michigan Pallet Recycler Off to Fresh Start Following Fire; - Smart Products Helps Burton Pallet Recyclers Get Up, Running Again (4/1/2005)
Indiana Recycling Company Expands into Grinding Markets: Miller’s Wood Specialties Forms New Unit, Buys West Salem Machinery Grinder - Indiana recycling company expands into grinding markets; Miller’s Wood Specialties invests in West Salem Machinery grinder, creates new business unit. (8/1/2005)
New Beginnings Start at B&M Pallet Recycling - B & M Pallet Recycling: – This Arkansas pallet company has a different mission – to help ex-convicts find a new life after being released back into society; business is affiliated with a church. (9/1/2005)

Sawmill Case Studies
Demise of Furniture Industry Puts Lumber Company into Pallet Arena; - Leading Virginia Hardwood Mill Establishes Solid Foothold in Pallet Market (1/3/2005)

Sawmill Case Studies: Hardwood
Diversification and Vertical Integration Help Shield Company from Market Drops - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)

Sawmill Case Studies: Remanufacturing
Palliser Lumber Finds Success by Empowering Employees - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Business Booming for Calif. Building Supply Company - Dixieline Lumber Invests in 2nd Pacific Trail Cross-Cut Unit Saw (5/2/2005)

Specialty Wood Products
CW Products Uses Unique Marketing Approach for Customized Packaging, Small Orders - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
N.C. Company Specializes in Custom Pallets, Containers, Wood Packaging; - Hildreth Wood Products Has Prospered by Serving Specialty Market (2/2/2005)
New York City Container Company Provides Custom Packaging Solutions Abbot & Abbot Relies on Acquisitions, Internet, Networking to Maintain Growth - New York City-based wood container manufacturer shows it can survive and prosper despite a shrinking industry; acquisitions and Internet marketing have helped company move forward. (6/1/2005)
Baker Products Helps Make Music with Gibson Guitars: Baker Products ABXX Band Resaw Used in Key Manufacturing Process - Gibson Guitars: Baker Products supplied a machine used in a key manufacturing process to produce acclaimed Gibson guitars; the renowned guitar maker uses a Baker ABXX band resaw in its plant. (9/1/2005)
Fontana Forest Products Continues To Evolve in Specialty Packaging Arena: Division of Michigan Box Has Adapted Successfully to Changing Markets and Cu - Division of Michigan Box has adapted successfully to changing markets and customers; Fontana Forest Products continues evolution in specialty packaging. (10/1/2005)
PECO Hires Former CHEP Executive, Positions Itself for Growth - All it takes is a trip to PECO’s headquarters to see the difference between PECO and its competitor; PECO appeals to companies looking for an option in pallet rental. (12/1/2005)

Third Party Management/Rental
Access Poses Problem for Multiple Closed Loop Systems - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Cooperating to Compete: White Wood Pallet Rental Service Near? - Program for Pallet Companies to Compete in Grocery Rental Market (2/7/2005)
Pallet Pool Provides Quality, Cost Control for Dutch Brewery Industry - Pool Organization Blends Balanced Cooperative, Commercial Approaches (4/1/2005)
Thoroughness Will Help Ensure Success of Third-Party Logistics Management - Premise of third-party management or outsourcing makes sense to many customers: stick to core competencies and outsource non-core activities, such as pallet management. (11/1/2005)

Tracking (RFID, bar codes, etc.)
Standard May Clarify Application Of RFID Technology with Pallets - As anyone involved in supply chain management is aware, the impetus to adopt and incorporate radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies throughout all levels has arrived. (8/1/2005)

Trade Shows
Missouri Hosts Top Pallet Trade Show of 2005 in September - The Midwest Forest Industry Show will be the leading trade show of the pallet industry in 2005; biennial trade show is scheduled Sept. 23-24 in St. Charles, Missouri. (8/1/2005)
Interpal 6 Expected to Draw Pallet, Container Professionals from Afar - More than 130 delegates representing nearly 20 countries will gather in Victoria, British Columbia, for the sixth Interpal-World Pallet Congress; global meeting of the pallet industry is organized and hosted by Canadian Wood Pallet and Container Association. (8/1/2005)
Midwest Trade Show a ‘Great Opportunity’ to Meet Suppliers - Midwest Show: This year’s Midwest Forest Industry Show will feature the final level of competition in the national Game of Logging contest; exhibitors listed for this major trade show. (9/1/2005)
Interpal 2005 Highlights Global Market Challenges & Changes - Pallet people from around the world gather in Canada for the sixth Interpal meeting; phytosanitary issues takes center stage at international conference. (11/1/2005)

Trends
The Impact of RFID on Pallet Suppliers - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
RFID – Revolutionary Technology or Just another Hassle - Four experts speak out on RFID’s future impact on Transport packaging and the global supply chain (2/7/2005)
Letter from Ed: The Pallet Business – Is It Changing? - Throughout most of our history, the pallet industry has been a family run and operated, entrepreneurial kind of business. Are we losing some of this? Should we want to lose some of this? Both answers may be yes. (5/1/2005)
Thinking Ahead– Letter from Chaille Trial & Error Is the Secret to Invention - Every once in a while there comes along an idea that revolutionizes how we live and do business. To the uninformed, these inventions may just appear to pop up over night. But normally these ideas are developed only after a lot of trial and error. (6/1/2005)
PalletBoard -- Online Discussion Explores the Grocery Industry and Its Pallet Usage - Grocery User Debate: A question posted on the PalletBoard leads to a lengthy debate about the GMA pallet and its future in the U.S. grocery industry; article is taken from the discussion on the Pallet Enterprise Web site. (7/1/2005)
Midwest Pallet Company Has Eye On Continued, Strategic Growth: American Paltech Uses Marshall & Henderson H-T System for Export Pallets - American Paltech: Midwest pallet company with an eye on continued growth uses Marshall & Henderson heat-treating system for export pallets. (9/1/2005)
Letter from Ed: Katrina – A Cruel Reminder of Change in our Society - Immediately after Katrina, the softwood market had a rapid price spike because of an overall panic on commodities. Softwood prices quickly subsided from the panic spike. While some pressure in the hardwood industry had subsided a little over the summer, concern over winter supplies was still very real. (11/1/2005)
Markets in Transition: Old World of Pallet Control Under Pressure - The old economy, with long serving supply chain partners and even longer serving employees, provided a stable environment. Now, supply chain links are more transitory. Partners change. Employees and technology change. Corporate mergers are part of our day. (11/1/2005)
Thinking Ahead–Letter from Chaille: Nightmare of the Waking Dragon - Senator Charles R. Hawkins of the VA State Senate talked about how the United States actually had a small trade surplus with China in 1985. But that has all changed over the past twenty years as the trade deficient with China has soared to an estimated $200 billion in 2005. (12/1/2005)
Lean Manufacturing Approach Offers Potential, Challenges - Second of a two-part series of articles on lean manufacturing principles and their potential for businesses in the forest products industry. (12/1/2005)

Unit Load
TrenStar Pooling Service Targets High Value Container Management - TrenStar has grown quickly by focusing on providing high value containers along with the services to track and manage them; its business model differs from a rental pool. (6/1/2005)
Swedish Grocery Industry Operates Cooperative Pallet And Container Pool - Details behind formation of Swedish reusable plastic pallet and container pool. Update on growth from 2.5 million container shipments in 2001 to a projected 60 million in 2005. (6/1/2005)
Virginia Tech: How to Design Around a Unit Load - Any pallet supplier can give a customer a price, but smart companies can become an extension of their customer’s packaging procurement operation by showing them how to cut costs and improve product protection. (11/1/2005)

User Education Series
Midwest Forest Industry Show Plans Training Sessions - Midwest Show Program: Several free seminars and training sessions will be held at the Midwest Forest Industry Show. (9/1/2005)
Lean Manufacturing — An Idea Whose Time Is Coming to Forest Products? - Lean manufacturing is a great way to increase productivity, but few businesses in the forest products industry are actually implementing it. Why? (11/1/2005)

Wood Fiber Case Studies (Grinding, Chipping, Etc)
Wood Composites Offer Promise for Future - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)

Workers/Safety/OSHA
Understanding, Managing Hispanic Workers Goes Beyond Language Barrier - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Health Savings Accounts May Help Tame the Health Insurance Monster - Highlights from 2004 Articles (1/3/2005)
Control Losses Is Key to Control Worker’s Compensation Rates - Insurance Column (2/7/2005)
Safety Pays at Pallet Manufacturing Plant Operated by Sheltered Workshop - Mid-Valley Wood Products Eyes 12 Years Without Time Loss Accident (4/1/2005)
Transitional Duty Helps Control Workers’ Comp Insurance Costs - (5/2/2005)
Forklift Safety Taking Training Seriously - Even with recent updates to training requirements across the world, I still question whether those charged with training forklift operators really take the job as seriously as they should. Periodically, I audit other training programs and see people with little or no forklift experience successfully completing programs and being turned loose to operate a forklift with no supervision. Many times the driving test amounts to no more than moving some empty pallets around in a parking lot or weaving through a course at a forklift dealership. Most written tests consist of 15 or less questions that the average 10-year-old could easily pass. (6/1/2005)
Forklift Safety: Material Handling Hazards in the Workplace - Even with good training, how safe can a workplace be if serious material handling hazards are present and not addressed? (9/1/2005)
Forklift Safety: Is Your Trainer Really Qualified? - When you are driving down the road and a large truck comes up behind your car, it is comforting to know the truck driver has the necessary skills to operate his vehicle, and that the people who qualified him took that job very seriously before issuing the license. (12/1/2005)