Damabois Buys Pallets Inc.

Damabois of Saint-Damase, Quebec Canada recently acquired Pallets Inc. of Fort Edward, New York. Pallets Inc. is the oldest original family run pallet manufacturer in the United States. 

The Binley family of Glens Falls New York had owned the business since 1942 and was being run by the grandson of the founder. With no apparent heir, the family decided to sell the business to Damabois, a vertically-integrated lumber and pallet manufacturer. Damabois plans to expand the Fort Edward facility, upgrade its manufacturing capacity and increase employment over time. The new owners have retained all employees and Clint Binley, the president and owner of Pallets Inc., will stay on for an extended period of time to help with the business transition and to provide insights on the U.S. market.

Clint Binley explained why this was good timing and a good fit for all parties involved. He said, “Giving my age and the current business climate, this was the right time to sell, and Damabois has a lot to offer in this market given its size and growth position.” During his tenure, Clint Binley has led Pallets Inc. through acquiring four other pallet companies. 

Founded in 1986, Damabois has, in just a few short decades, become a leader in the wood processing and wood derivatives processing sector. It manages facilities in Quebec, the Maritime provinces and New York state. The acquisition of Pallets Inc. gives the company another strong pallet facility in the region and is the 11th facility in the Damabois family of companies. Binley suggested that the company will continue under the Pallets Inc. name. He stated, “For the most part, all else remains the same. Customers and suppliers have been notified, and the news about the sale has been well received.”

A benefit of the sale for customers is the vast timber and sawmill resources now available to Pallets Inc. through the Damabois network. The company’s production plants can rely on a continuous supply of quality roundwood, both from public Canadian forests and from several producers with private forests in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions. 

Binley explained, “The sale will only positively impact customers because Damabois has greater price stability in lumber and pricing and offers more products than we did including presswood pallets and firewood logs.” 

Also, the new owners have expressed their intention to invest in the company. They have already put in place a new Viking Turbo 505 and have other equipment on order. 

Pallets Inc. has been a leader in the U.S. wood pallet sector for generations. Clint Binley recently accepted an award on behalf of his company for 75 years of membership and support for the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA). The company started in the 1940s as part of the war effort to supply shipping pallets needed for military logistics during World War II. Founder, Arthur S. Binley Jr., was not only a pioneer in this fledgling industry, he was one of the business leaders who helped found in the NWPCA in 1945. Also, all three generations of the Binleys who have led Pallets, Inc., also have served as NWPCA board chair. 

For more information on Damabois, visit https://damabois.com/en.

 

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Pallet Enterprise Staff

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Pallet Enterprise November 2024