Read Full Letter - January 22, 2014

Letter from Founder and President, Jimmy Wilson
January 22, 2015
As I near the end of my first three-year term on the Board of Directors for the National
Wooden Pallet and Container Association, I’ve had time to reflect on how the experience has
positively impacted me, as well as my staff and the customers of Bay Wood Products.
I was honored to be nominated for the position, so when the membership voted me onto the
board in 2012, I knew I had an obligation to step up and serve. The National Wooden Pallet
and Container Association gives a voice to hundreds of privately owned small businesses
who might not otherwise have the means to make themselves heard in Washington and
beyond.
With a seat at the table, I got a firsthand view of what the association does for the wooden
pallet and container industry. They successfully manage governmental affairs, always
seeking ways to protect our interests, staying engaged with lawmakers and quickly
communicating news when it will have an impact on how we make a living.
As part of the board, I was able to play a role in protecting pallet and crate manufacturers,
and our customers, from new rules that would have all but crippled companies. The
International Code Council, who sets building and other code regulations followed by all 50
states, created new rules about the storage of empty pallets and crates. We formed a task
force of board members to tackle the issue. Eventually, some of our board members traveled
to Washington to speak before the council.
After our members lobbied for changes, showing the need for further analysis and study,
members of the International Code Council voted not to adopt proposed rules for exterior
pallet storage. Had the proposals been adopted, they would have been published with the
new codes set to be released this year for consideration by municipal and state authorities.
That was a huge win for our industry and our customers and something I'm proud of.
That fast-moving debate reminded me that the world we live in, and our global marketplace,
is constantly evolving. In business as in life, we must continue to learn, grow and adapt, or
suffer the consequences. As we celebrate our 20th year in business, we are recommitting
ourselves to successfully serving our clients with a sharp focus on truly meeting their needs
now and in the future. To that end, it is my promise that we will keep the lines of
communication open so we can hear and see what challenges we should address.
Compliment or criticism, I want you to let us know how we are doing. We welcome your
feedback and look forward to serving you in 2015 and for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Wilson
Founder & President
Left row (top to bottom)
Keith Geiges – Treen Box and Pallet; Frank Shean – Valley Pallet; Jimmy Wilson – Bay Wood Products; Jan
Fredell - Fredells Travaru AB; Steve Mazza – S&B Pallet; Matt Yancey – Dominion Pallet; Scott Harrington –
Rotochopper; John Swenby – Paltech
Right row (top to bottom)
Lloyd Harper – Conner Industries; Larry Konz – Konz Wood Products; Jim Schwab – Pallet Logistics of America;
Shane Thompson – Westwind Logistics; Fred Haman - Tampa Pallet; Bill Schneider – The Remmey Company;
Larry Howell – Cottondale Wood Products; Paul Lovett – Lovett Pallet; Joe O’Brien – Industrial Pallet; Steve
Yelland – J. F. Rohrbaugh; Bernie Kamps – Kamps Pallets