Amanda Macon is the owner/manager of Blue Mountain Pallet & Wood Recycling in Anniston, Alabama. The company has been manufacturing new pallets and refurbished pallets for over 32 years, specializing in new pallets. It is a customer-driven business that values long-term relationships over short-term gains.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever received?
Macon: A valuable piece of business advice I’ve received is: don’t turn other people’s problems into yours. It’s important to focus on what you can control and not get sidetracked by others’ issues. Additionally, ‘There’s no free money’ reminds us that success requires hard work and effort, with no shortcuts. Lastly, ‘The only thing you can control is what happens between your gates’ emphasizes taking ownership of your actions and decisions while accepting that external factors are often beyond your control.
Pallet Enterprise: Have you recently started pursuing any new markets/product lines?
Macon: We’ve recently expanded our product line to include crates, alongside our existing pallets, with a mix of 60% new material and 40% recycled content. This move allows us to offer sustainable, durable solutions that meet growing demand for eco-friendly packaging. By diversifying, we’re able to serve a broader range of industries while reinforcing our commitment to reducing waste and supporting a circular economy.
Pallet Enterprise: What is one thing you do at your company that is different from other pallet companies?
Macon: We actively seek outside expertise to enhance our business, which is why we brought in consultant Tony Buroker to analyze our company’s structure and processes. By drawing on his experience, diversity of thought, and fresh perspective, we’ve been able to identify areas for improvement and implement effective changes throughout the organization. This external insight has been invaluable in helping us refine our operations and continuously improve as a business.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about customer service?
Macon: Getting complete information before the sale helps prevent issues and ensures accurate solutions. This proactive approach sets a high standard of service from the start, building trust and establishing a positive customer relationship.
Pallet Enterprise: What performance indicators do you track to measure how your company is doing?
Macon: We closely monitor repeat business, employee turnover, and recordable accidents as key performance indicators for our company. However, one of the biggest challenges we face is scrap and waste. Once waste occurs, it’s unrecoverable, making it a critical area to address. Minimizing scrap and waste is essential to maintaining efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring long-term sustainability for our business.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the hardest challenge your company faces right now?
Macon: Staying in tune with lumber market changes is crucial. Unlike some pallet companies that wait for financial reports to adjust prices, we proactively monitor market trends to make informed decisions, ensuring we stay competitive and offer the best value to our customers.
