Jeff Van Zeeland is the president and partner of Fox Valley Wood Products (FVWP) in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Fox Valley manufactures wooden pallets, crates and specialty wood boxes. Jeff is a part of the third generation of his family to run the business.
Pallet Enterprise: What is Fox Valley most known for with regard to customer service?
Van Zeeland: Rapid response demonstrated by all facets of our organization. Our experienced office staff is available to take calls starting at 4:30 am Monday – Friday. We’ll respond to customer emails within minutes and attend to orders and questions in the evenings as well. Our customers are never left waiting for anything. We promise same-day quotes and same-day delivery for standard and custom pallets and crates. This includes small and large orders alike. All trucks, inbound and outbound, are loaded within minutes. Everyone throughout our organization plays by the Golden Rule.
Pallet Enterprise: In what ways does Fox Valley focus on sustainability and environmental efforts?
Van Zeeland: We believe strongly in conserving our planet for future generations. We have aligned ourselves with lumber suppliers who hold the same values. Most are FSC certified. FSC certification ensures the wood products we consume come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. We also recycle 99% of wood waste via landscape mulch, firewood or biomass fuel.
Pallet Enterprise: Given recent sawmill curtailments and closures, what level of concern do you have about timber supply in the future?
Van Zeeland: We are definitely concerned about future timber supply. We’ve already begun to see the impact on the SPF market. As lower-grade SPF becomes tight, pressure will naturally transfer to the green hardwood lumber market as well. Pricing, both in the SPF/SYP and green hardwoods markets, have been historically low for the past 24 months due to a slumping economy and the post-COVID glut of used pallets. It will only take a slight uptick in national demand for the supply/demand equilibrium to flip. We have been warned about this phenomenon for the past 16 months. The impact is beginning to be felt now and will accelerate through the spring and summer.
Pallet Enterprise: How has your company worked to be ready for any timber supply challenges that may arise?
Van Zeeland: Our lumber suppliers are our partners and friends, and we treat them as such. Our suppliers can count on FVWP for financial dependability and logistical incentives to work with us. While we expect fair pricing, we’ve remained committed to our historical relationships vs. jumping to other avenues for pennies. We believe these factors will put us in a good position to navigate what is likely to become a tight market in the coming months.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the most important piece of wisdom you have gained that you hope to continue to implement within the business?
Van Zeeland: Stay lean, remain efficient, don’t chase after the shiny/distracting stuff and review time & material studies weekly to confirm profitability for every job that comes through our operation. When financially successful we put ourselves in a unique position to offer exceptional benefits to our employees and provide our customers with value added products and services.
Pallet Enterprise: As a family-run business, how has this helped facing challenges over the years?
Van Zeeland: Having an experienced team within our family business has been paramount to tackle the daily challenges we face. Our leadership team have all been promoted from within. The pallet/wood industry is like no other. Margins are very thin. We don’t have the luxury to purchase premium-grade lumber. As a result, we are forced to work with inferior, downfall lumber and convert it into pallets and crates that exceed customer expectations from a quality and price standpoint. It’s a daily balancing act. Without a knowledgeable team who intimately understands the business…. high level success could not be achieved.