Cresswood’s Continued Support at the 2025 Western Pallet Association Annual Meeting

Cresswood Shredding Machinery was proud to once again sponsor the 2025 Western Pallet Association in Rancho Mirage, California.  Serving the wooden pallet industry has been at the core of Cresswood’s success since the company began making world-class recycling equipment back in the early 1990s.  

The WPA supports pallet businesses in the Western US and works hard to promote the wood pallet industry through government advocacy.  It is the leading resource for the unique challenges and opportunities of the wood pallet industry in the US.  Members have access to content and materials that help them successfully navigate the difficult waters in the industry and larger economic marketplace. Pallet University is one of these resources, allowing members free access to invaluable training materials and certifications. 

 

 

 

 

 

Cresswood’s long-standing partnership with the WPA is built on a foundation of shared values; community, inclusion, knowledge sharing, innovation, and sustainability. Throughout the over 30 years of providing dependable industrial pallet grinders, Cresswood has forged many important relationships with the companies we serve in this industry.  The annual meeting is a fantastic opportunity to network with our customers and learn what is important to them in the current economy.  Cresswood has always focused on sustaining strong relationships, and nothing can replace these face-to-face conversations in a relaxed setting. 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

The event also features two golf outings, a great way to spend informal time with people within the association.  I had the privilege of getting paired up with Justin Karoly, co-owner and VP of Operations at Challenger Pallet & Supply Inc., based in Idaho Falls, ID.  Justin showed me a lot about the automation and advanced technology he is using at their three facilities.  This was a common theme during the meeting, the need for pallet businesses to leverage technology and automation in response to a tight labor market and high operational costs.  

 

 

 

At the WPA Annual Meeting, networking truly sits at the heart of the event, creating invaluable opportunities to connect with industry leaders and peers. One of the highlights of my experience was seeing Glen Heiner, a managing partner at Heicor Enterprises, which is a prominent Cresswood dealer for the Northwest. Glen’s expertise and insights into the industry are always inspiring, and it was great to exchange ideas on how we can all push the boundaries of innovation and service. Events like this are not just about learning but also about forming lasting relationships that can help shape the future of the industry.

Justin introduced me to Alex Jimenez, Managing Partner at Jimenez Pallets in Newark, NJ.  Mr. Jimenez is also keenly aware of the need to use advanced technologies to stay on top of an extremely competitive market.  Cresswood is in a great position to partner with folks like Justin and Alex, as our primary ROI comes in the form of labor savings associated with material handling.

 

 

 

 

The highlight of the meeting was having Merril Hoge, former NFL player and ESPN analyst as the featured speaker.  His talk centered on the message of “Find a Way”, about not falling into a victim mindset but always looking at the opportunities you have to make a positive difference in every situation.  Turning adversity into action is what the WPA is all about, and Mr. Hoge’s personal journey of resilience in the face of challenges was inspiring for all the attendees.

The 2025 Western Pallet Association event in Rancho Mirage was an invaluable experience for all who attended, showcasing the strength of collaboration within the wood pallet industry. Cresswood is proud to continue supporting WPA’s efforts to foster innovation, sustainability, and community. As the industry faces new challenges, particularly in adopting technology and automation, our commitment to providing American-made industrial grinders and shredders for pallet recycling remains stronger than ever. The event offered valuable networking opportunities and reinforced the shared values that drive the success of the industry. We look forward to another year of growth, learning, and collaboration with the WPA and its members.