Tag Archive for: Women

Woman in warehouse using walkie talkie

Women’s Impact in the Pallet Industry

Over the past few years, the pallet industry has seen a significant shift in its workforce, with more women getting involved in the industry. This trend is a welcome development for an industry that has traditionally been male dominated. The changing demographics are bringing about new perspectives and ideas that are transforming the pallet industry. This Nature’s Packaging blog post will explore how women are getting more involved and changing the pallet industry.

The pallet industry is an essential component of the supply chain management system. It involves the production, transportation, and management of pallets that are used to transport goods and products across different stages of the supply chain.

The pallet industry is a crucial link between manufacturers, retailers, and consumers, ensuring that products are transported safely and efficiently. Over the years, the pallet industry has seen significant growth, with the demand for pallets increasing due to the rise of e-commerce and global trade.

In the past, the pallet industry was seen as a male-dominated industry, with women playing a minimal role in the sector. However, this trend has been changing in recent years, with more women getting involved in the pallet industry. Women are now involved in various roles within the industry, including management, production, and sales.

One of the main reasons for the increase in the number of women in the pallet industry is the growing awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Many companies are now actively seeking to hire and promote women in the industry, recognizing the value that diversity brings to the workplace. Women bring a unique perspective and approach to the industry, which can help drive innovation and growth.

Another reason for the increase in the number of women in the pallet industry is the changing perception of the industry itself. The industry is no longer seen as a dirty, manual labor-intensive sector.

Instead, it is recognized as a vital component of the supply chain management system, requiring skilled workers with a broad range of knowledge and expertise. Women are well-suited for many of the roles in the pallet industry, as they often possess the skills and attributes required for the job, such as attention to detail, organizational skills, and strong communication skills.

One of the ways that women are changing the pallet industry is through their approach to management. Women tend to bring a more collaborative and inclusive management style to the workplace, which can help foster teamwork and improve communication. This approach is particularly useful in the pallet industry, where teamwork and communication are essential for ensuring that pallets are produced and transported efficiently.

Women are also bringing new perspectives to the industry, particularly when it comes to sustainability and environmental impact. Women tend to be more environmentally conscious and aware of the impact that the pallet industry has on the environment. They are more likely to advocate for the use of sustainable materials and processes, which can help reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.

The pallet industry is seeing a significant shift and more women are choosing to getting involved in the sector. Women are bringing new perspectives, ideas, and approaches to the industry, which are transforming the sector. The increasing diversity in the industry is a welcome development, and companies that embrace this trend are likely to see significant benefits in terms of innovation, growth, and competitiveness. As the pallet industry continues to evolve, it is essential to recognize the value that women bring to the sector and to ensure that they have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Business woman montage

Voices-Women in the Pallet Industry

March is Women’s History Month and we at Nature’s Packaging are here for it. All of the blog posts for this month were about women and their impact on forestry, forest products, and the pallet industry. For our final post of this month, we asked women in the pallet community one question:

How have women changed the pallet industry?

 

Su So-Longman – President

Pallet Central Enterprises

When I started Pallet Central Enterprises 17 years ago, it was rare to find women in a leadership role in this industry. I found such statistics exciting since I have always lived to compete and thrive in challenging circumstances.

Women have advanced light years since that beginning. Now, it is not uncommon to see some of the best pallet companies in the US, owned and operated by women. They are also plant managers, purchasing directors, and account managers among other roles. That is a testament to how involved women have become in every aspect of the pallet industry.

Women certainly possess the more traditional leadership skills, but they also bring a depth of understanding, flexibility, and true work ethic to the workplace. This is demonstrated in the loyalty and longevity of employee relationships, as well as the connections with customers and vendors.

I am proud to say that women are 80% of my in-office work family at Pallet Central Enterprises, and my management team consists of 90% women who oversee daily operations, including sales and accounting. Our national sales manager, who is also a woman, is on the board of the NWPCA.

Women of pallet industry are here to stay, and the industry is definitely better for it.


Julie DeRoush – National Director of Supply Chain

TRI-Pac North America

Women have brought a fresh perspective to the pallet industry through forward thinking and personal connection to customers. Women are largely having the day-to-day conversations with the customer base and have played an integral role in identifying and introducing innovative technology and tools that support the internal expediency and “Just-In-Time” service that customers are demanding. We are calculated risk takers and problem solvers that balance the chaos this industry tends to thrive in.


Beatrice Vasquez – President

Oxnard Pallet Company

Some strengths women have is the ability to multi-task effectively, demonstrate patience, show compassion/respect/flexibility with others (especially employees), and maintain good organizational skills. I believe our attention to detail along with all these strengths have placed an important and vital role for us within the pallet industry in helping to surge forward for more growth potential!


Kristin Kopp – VP of Communications and Marketing

48 Forty Solutions

What I have noticed from women in the pallet industry who I have had the pleasure of working with, is that they bring a sense of humility and thoughtfulness to the table. There are a lot of broader and deeper discussions taking place that might not have otherwise. Pushing the why of initiatives and results to discern “how we got here” rather than just focusing on the numbers themselves, is something I enjoy seeing. What I love most about women in this industry is there is a toughness and resilience which I think a predominantly male industry both appreciate and respect. This respect encourages pallet businesses to hire more women, softening the edges of their businesses a bit, and being open to a whole different style of thinking, feeling, discussing and problem-solving.


Carolyn Beach – Chairwoman of the NWPCA Board

Co-Owner Westside Pallets

Women in the industry are much more present.  More women are not only finding careers in the pallet industry and other industries associated with pallets, but they are more involved in the associations such as NWPCA and WPA.  It’s encouraging that it is common to see women in the pallet industry.

 

We close the month of March celebrating Women’s History and their contribution to this industry. We look forward to the continuation of women taking leadership roles in all of the trade associations (NWPCA, WPA, CWPCA) affiliated with the pallet industry.

 

© 2024 Nature's Packaging® is federally registered with the U.S. Copyright Office by the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association. All rights reserved.