Peter Berry is president of Berry Industrial Group Inc. (BIG), a WBENC certified company that partners with its customers to provide sustainable pallet solutions to common pallet design and procurement challenges. BIG manages the total supply chain environment through manufacturing, distribution and recycling of wood and plastic pallets on a national scale. It also owns its own pallet manufacturing facility keeping it closely connected to the heartbeat of the lumber and pallet market.
Pallet Enterprise: How do you think the pallet industry will change in the next 5-10 years?
Berry: With the introduction of robotics in manufacturing in the pallet industry, the workforce will likely change. Through education, reforestation and awareness, pallet and packaging specialists will realize the environmental benefits of wood packaging. As in all industries, the advancement of technology and the reduction of brick and mortar consumers will determine the fate of pallet usage.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the best part of working in this industry right now?
Berry: Being a member of the NWPCA. It addresses issues that are relevant in our industry, as well as collaborative industries, such as labor retention, transportation regulations, fire codes, sustainability, mold and OSHA compliance. The support and research they provide makes my job easier when a problem arises.
Pallet Enterprise: What is one thing you wish the government would do right now to improve business conditions?
Berry: It would benefit our industry if the government would do their due diligence in studying conclusive research before mandating regulations that directly affect the forestry and transportation industries, labor laws and import tariffs. Collaborating with industry leaders would help promote informed regulations.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about customer service?
Berry: One of the most gratifying aspects of our customer service is educating our customers about the intricacies of pallet design and its impact in their supply chain. This education makes customer service a truly holistic, “PALLETable Solution.”
Pallet Enterprise: What is the most difficult part of your job and how do you handle it?
erry: The work I do is not a job, but it is part of my life. Sometimes balancing the customer’s expectation with the reality of the industry as it evolves can be challenging. But in pallets as in life, I tend to look at the universe in an idealistic rather than pragmatic way which rounds out the picture.
