Brett Cole is president of Cole Pallet Services in Dekalb, Illinois. He and his brother, John, established Cole Pallet Services in 2014. Since then, the company has expanded and added operations in Texas, Wisconsin and Missouri. The company also operates a nationwide freight brokerage. Cole Pallet Services manufactures new stringer, block and recycled pallets. Additionally, Cole Pallet offers crating and mixed material packaging.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever received?
Cole: Keep it simple, and when you have the opportunity, sleep on it.
Pallet Enterprise: Have you recently started pursuing any new markets/product lines?
Cole: Yes, we’re expanding into crating with mixed materials: foam, klimps, adhesives, strapping, etc. The added product lines have helped to diversify our client base and stay busy during a downturn. There have been growing pains, but we’re improving with each order.
Pallet Enterprise: What is one thing you do at your company that is different from other pallet companies?
Cole: Our ability to turn around new pallets and crates within 24 hours sets us apart. Additionally, we pay a premium for our employees, making us a coveted place to work in the community. It ensures we stay fully staffed with the best possible help. Plus, they deserve it.
Pallet Enterprise: What is one of the hardest business decisions you have ever made?
Cole: Honestly, it was the purchase of Cole Pallet. I was young, and my wife just had our first baby three weeks prior to the closing. I was considering competitive offer letters from other companies versus jumping into uncharted territory as a business owner. I now own six companies. Looking back, it was such a small decision compared to others I’ve made. However, I can’t remember anything being as difficult.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about customer service?
Cole: Through good times and bad, customer service is what you have to stand on. The customer always comes first. The rest will fall into place.
Pallet Enterprise: What performance indicators do you track to measure how your company is doing?
Cole: Our main key performance indicators are pallets per man hour at our assembly plants and board foot per man hour at our cut-up plant. Our data shows continual improvement.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the most important thing you do each day?
Cole: Exercise before work. Don’t get me wrong. I’m no health guru, but a quick two-mile walk or an hour at the gym – something to get my head on straight before the day starts – is extremely important to how the balance of my day progresses.
Pallet Enterprise: What is one thing you wish you knew a long time ago that could have helped your company along the way?
Cole: People are what make the company. Without the right people, it can’t be done.
