A New Chapter at FALM
CEO Christopher Pletcher on Strategic Growth, Industry Partnerships, and the Future of Pallet Brokerage
After a major ownership and leadership transition, First Alliance Logistics Management is setting its sights on data-driven service and vendor-focused growth.
Christopher Pletcher, the newly appointed CEO and owner of First Alliance Logistics Management (FALM), brings a fresh leadership style to the Charlotte, North Carolina-based pallet management and brokerage firm. With decades of experience in metal coatings, industrial testing, and bulk chemicals, Pletcher now leads FALM following its successful transition to new ownership.
Q: How does your background in industrial sectors prepare you for this new role at FALM?
Pletcher: My experience in the chemical industry gave me a strong understanding of how industrial markets operate and how global, complex supply chains are managed. I previously led distributor and direct customer relationships across the U.S., supporting large-scale applications. One important lesson from that time: while understanding the customer is key, the relationship with the vendor—the company actually making the product—is often more impactful. At FALM, we’re focusing on building deeper, more strategic relationships with our vendor network nationwide.
Q: What are your first impressions of the U.S. pallet industry?
Pletcher: I’ve found it to be a welcoming, grounded industry filled with pragmatic, hardworking people. Many businesses are family-owned, which fosters strong values and a collaborative spirit. There’s a clear sense of community, even among competitors.
Q: How is your leadership shaping FALM’s direction moving forward?
Pletcher: We’re starting with culture. We’re clearly defining values like professionalism, integrity, and excellence—not as slogans, but as daily practices that guide how we serve both clients and vendors. Responsiveness is a cornerstone of our approach. Our clients often manage multiple high-volume locations and rely on a single point of contact to handle everything from pallet specification to delivery. To meet that need, we’re working to expand our national network of high-quality vendor partners.
Q: Are the former owners still involved? Do they receive special treatment in brokered accounts?
Pletcher: We respect FALM’s legacy and remain connected with its former investors. As we move forward, we’re building a more structured partnership model. We aim to define preferred vendors in each region and will absolutely consider existing FALM network vendors as part of that process.
Q: Is FALM looking for new partners? What do you look for in potential collaborators?
Pletcher: We’re very much growth-oriented and looking to collaborate with companies that share our mindset. We want to work with others who value professionalism and service excellence. If you’re interested in working with us, reach out via sales@falm.com or contact me directly. We’re quick to respond and always open to new opportunities.
Q: What sets FALM apart in today’s competitive pallet brokerage landscape?
Pletcher: We’re investing in knowledge and service. Our sales team undergoes regular PDS training, and we place a high priority on visiting client sites to assess specific pallet needs. Whether standard or custom, we aim to deliver exactly the right solution. We’re not just brokers—we’re partners in problem-solving.
Q: How have customer expectations evolved in recent years?
Pletcher: Today’s pallet users are more data-driven and sophisticated. They want more visibility across every layer of their supply chain. At FALM, we actively work with our clients to develop custom reports through our proprietary software, giving them actionable insights. Our three decades of experience, investment in technology, and deep national vendor base position us well to meet these evolving demands—whether it’s cost control, on-time delivery, or detailed reporting.
For more information on FALM’s services or partnership opportunities, visit www.falm.com or email sales@falm.com.