As the Christmas shopping season draws near, my thoughts turn to the future of retail. Undoubtedly, the futures of retail and packaging — including pallets — are intertwined. The rapid expansion of major retail chains and the emergence of e-commerce...

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There are at least three facts that have become well entrenched in the pallet recycling world — a growing demand, a tight supply of incoming cores, and shrinking margins as the industry continues to mature. One of these “given” facts,...

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HORTONVILLE, Wis. — Sometimes something as simple as the right kind of truck can help a young pallet business get a foot-hold in the market. Bob Luedtke and Bill Reffke, long-time employees of Fox River Paper Co., started a skid-making...

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I encourage readers to vote their convictions this November. Rush Limbaugh says that our society runs more off symbolism than it does substance. Unfortunately, facts are not the issue in the eyes of many voters. I pray that most readers...

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REIDSVILLE, Ga. — After more than 30 years in the trucking business, Bill Warren Sr. decided it was time for a change. He had started out as a truck driver and during the course of his career had worked his...

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The rumor mill has abounded with claims concerning PalEx (IFCO Systems). Recently IFCO has made a number of significant announcements concerning its acquisitions and expected sale. Highlights include the anticipated sale of its U.S. pallet manufacturing division and the purchase...

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Remember the promise of the paperless office? The “experts” predicted the electronic revolution would eliminate much of the paperwork cluttering up American offices. As everyone now knows, they were wrong. Computers actually caused the mounds of papers to grow because,...

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Hardwood Pallet Market How quickly things can change! When this column last appeared, the mild winter was pushing raw material availability to the brink of a glut, and everyone was anticipating the bottom dropping out of the market. Low-grade hardwood...

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Pallet recycling can be a better living than working for someone else, but what would it take to get into the business and how much money is there to be made? What does it take to get started? What You...

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EUBANK, Kty. — Monroe Pallet has been on a growth track since Kenny Smallwood acquired the company in 1991. Kenny has steadily expanded the pallet manufacturing business. Under his leadership, the company has doubled production capacity. Monroe Pallet is based...

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