Here’s the story how I came to write a column in the Pallet Enterprise. When I was working on my MBA in early 1992, Doug Hunter of Pacific Pallet gave me his copy of the December 1991 issue of Pallet Enterprise. Being the pallet geek that I was…or still am, I was thrilled. It had lots of good stuff, including an interview with Sardo on pallet pooling. It was then that I sent a note (by snail mail) to Ed, or was it a fax…and he sent something back written on a typewriter. After a couple of conversations he asked me if I was interested doing any writing…and here we are almost 20 years later!
Fast forward to this morning. At first I just couldn’t get rolling with any kind of review about my track record over the last 20 years (maybe in part because of fragmented file collection and a bad memory). But then I was thinking about my appeals toward cooperative pooling in Pallet Enterprise since 1992. I wrote a lot about what needed to be done to fix pallet exchange. But many of these problems still exist today.
I wondered what should I have said differently, if anything, to mobilize forces earlier, or was there just not enough pain to force the industry to act? Could I have mobilized a region, or a single industry, that would have provided a model?
I remember the comments that I used to get that companies wanted to remain independent; they didn’t want 3rd party inspectors. They wanted to own a market and not just compete in an open market. These entrepreneurs got into the pallet business because they wanted to do things on their own instead of working for a large organization. So here we are with PLUS or whatever it is called next. Is the resolve there now to turn it into a pooling power on even ground or bigger than PECO or iGPS? Or has our focus on our independence led to our downfall?
Just a thought…
–Rick LeBlanc, consultant and Pallet Enterprise columnist
Gone But Not Forgotten
Simon & Garfunkel’s song “Mrs. Robinson” contains a lyric that asks “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?”
I sometimes reminisce around the office of how much the personality landscape has changed during my nearly 20 years here. Some people have left via an exit strategy, fortunate enough to sell their business. Some folded their tent and called it a day. And sadly, some have passed away.
In nearly every case, I still think about many of the guys (and gals) that I no longer get to spend time with in regular phone visits.
I could write a book detailing the various characters, high jinx and hear-warming stories from the pallet industry.
Below is a random sampling of some of the stories that stick out from some of the people no longer part of the pallet industry.
The Senator…
If you mention “The Senator” at a pallet function, some people will already know whom you are talking about. Most in the pallet industry knew him as John Huber, a former pallet manufacturer. He became “The Senator” one night during a thwarted attempt at visiting a high-end restaurant. It seems that the restaurant was packed, when a plan was hatched. Some well-known accomplices introduced themselves as a secret service agent and Senator Huber’s Chief of Staff. It seems that the Honorable Senator was in town for a committee meeting and was on a tight schedule. Amazingly, the restaurant found a ready table. That night, John Huber became “The Senator.”
The Wizard…
Lee Killingsworth of Acme Skid in Silsbee, Texas became known as the Wizard due to his knack for one-liners. Lee became a one man Pallet Profile Weekly “Quote of the Week” machine. Two of my favorites were.. “One million feet won’t last as long as a paper shirt in a bear fight. It’ll be gone before you can say, ‘No. Don’t do it.’” And, “Pallet prices held too long, but are finally going up. It’s like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer…it feels so good when you stop.”
The Coat Off His Back…
The pallet industry is filled with genuine people and as a result, you get to meet some truly good people.
One of my favorite stories from the pallet industry dates back to the Expo Richmond of 1994. The Edwards’ Wood Products crew showed up at our booth. Jeff and I had talked on the phone regularly, but it was the first time we had the opportunity to meet personally. Jeff was wearing an Edwards’ Wood Products jacket and I commented that it was a sharp looking jacket. I don’t think I was finished saying it, when Carroll Edwards was coming out of his jacket. I had to convince Carroll that he didn’t need to give me an Edwards’ Wood Products jacket. That was the type of guy he was.
As I mentioned earlier, I could write a book. I could fill it with stories of brothers shooting between the feet of other brothers. It would have stories of Osha Inspectors with their hair on fire. I could talk about some of the quirky geniuses of the pallet industry. The list of truly nice people would be there. Mafia Golf outings would be included. Stories of tilted drinking contests where one Pallet Head was tossing back lagers while another was enjoying Thomas Kemper Root Beer. Some of the names would need to be changed to protect… Well, I’ll just leave it at the names would need to be changed.
–Jeff McBee, market analyst and columnist for the Pallet Enterprise and Pallet Profile Weekly
Congratulations
Congratulations to you Ed, Carolyn, Scott, Chaille and the entire staff on your 30th anniversary of the Pallet Enterprise!
Thirty years ago would have been 1981. This was, if I can remember, a tough year economically. CHEP was looking at locating in Canada, the economy was soft and everyone was looking for answers. Neither the NWPCA nor the CWPCA could give the thousands of pallet manufacturers the information they needed until you offered the Pallet Enterprise magazine.
It has been a success from the first issue and I am proud to know you and at times become a contributor to this first class magazine.
–Gordon Hughes of Wood Packing Solution, formerly the executive director of the Canadian Wooden Pallet & Container Association
Congratulations!
Your magazine plus Pallet Profile has probably been the single source of information that has brought our industry to the place that it is today.
I believe that no pallet manufacturing plant would be as advanced in management, machinery, marketing and expertise as has been accomplished over these past 30 years without the dedication of your magazine to this industry.
I can’t wait each month for the information that the Pallet Enterprise provides. Thanks to you and your staff.
–Sammy McCorkle, The Timbermen, Inc.
