The COVID-19 pandemic served as a powerful disruptor to the carefully choreographed ballet of the global supply chain. As a pivotal event in modern history, the repercussions have shifted dynamics, tested resilience, and forced reimagination within the industry. These repercussions have left a lasting impact on how we move
Modest investments to improve pallet plant efficiency can help providers remain competitive and desirable workplaces without breaking the bank. It isn’t just the pallet industry feeling the labor pinch. In fact, the latest NAM Manufacturers Outlook Survey identified the inability to attract and retain employees as far and away,
With the economy slowing, the pallet price trends for 2023 have turned a page from the 2022 pallet price trends report. Last year, supply constraints and robust demand resulted in unprecedented pallet price increases. A year later, with rising interest rates, ongoing inflation, and a weakening economy, the picture
The worm has turned. It wasn’t long ago that customers were clamoring for 48×40” pallets. Demand spiked in the wake of COVID as buyers unleashed their pocketbooks, and supply chains boosted their ‘just-in-case’ safety stock. A lack of recycled pallet availability led to increased new pallet production. Likewise, shortages
Pallet prices should stabilize in 2023, with upward pressure in 2024 and beyond as the economy improves. While conditions have improved, pallet providers are weathering input prices overall and are still constrained by staffing shortages. Increased current availability has led to watchdogging on prices. Pallet buyers should be mindful
After the pallet industry’s historic run over the past few years, many companies are now catching their breath. During that extraordinary time, many pallet companies hit the wall. Equipment capacity and/or labor constraints limited their opportunity to take full advantage of the opportunity. Now, in a market that has
For the last couple of years, the price of lumber has been at a historic high, and it’s had a lot of impact on people’s ability to construct and renovate their commercial buildings and homes. The increase in lumber prices may seem odd, but it’s possible to trace the
This article is contributed by First Alliance Logistics Management (FALM), a leading non-asset-based pallet provider to the North American market through a cohesive network of 225 independent pallet suppliers. Falm regularly contributes articles of interest to pallet buyers as well as to its pallet supplier partners. In this contribution,
While the labor market remains challenging for manufacturing companies, filling jobs that require heavy and/or repetitive lifting poses particular difficulties. It is hard to find and retain employees willing to do the hard work required in demanding sectors such as pallet manufacturing and recycling. The good news, however, is
By falm
As you reach up to the supermarket shelf, have you ever thought about the number of “touches” or handlings involved in getting your favorite products from the production plant in another part of the country all the way to your shopping cart? It might startle you to realize that
By falm
