Pallet Industry Designated Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce During COVID-19
Federal Government Provides Guidance to State and Local Governments to Recognize Role of Pallets
Alexandria, Va. (March 23, 2020) – Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) late last week designated manufacturers and distributors of packaging materials, including the pallet industry, as essential workforce critical infrastructure.
As the largest organization of wood packaging professionals in the world, the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) recognizes the importance of this federal guidance as state and local governments seek to keep needed goods moving while working to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As state and local officials work to designate essential business operations in their districts, NWPCA urges government agencies to follow the DHS guidance.
“The continued development, use and reuse of pallets provides a critical piece of our supply chain,” said Brent McClendon, President and CEO, NWPCA. “The system for getting important goods where they need to be is rapidly evolving and being pushed harder than ever. Making sure pallets remain a part of that system now will help deliver food, medicines, sanitizers and other essentials that are required to successfully manage a quarantine.”
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, nearly 2 billion pallets were in use across the U.S. during any given day. The total number of pallets in circulation each day is likely higher now. More than 93% of all goods are shipped using pallets. The increase in demand for food, essential medicines, sanitizers and other critical items that are shipped on pallets is a clear demonstration of how essential the pallet industry is at this time.
NWPCA will continue to champion the industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond as our country keeps essential goods moving to consumers at a pace that meets demand. For more information on the guidance from DHS and CISA, click here.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL WOODEN PALLET & CONTAINER ASSOCIATION
The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) is the largest organization of wood packaging professionals in the world, with more than 650 company members around the world who manufacture, repair and distribute pallets and wood packaging in unit-load solutions, or who supply products and services to the industry.
CONTACT
Annette Ferri
Vice President, Communications
703.519.6104
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