Positioning the Future

NWPCA’s Future’s Research Project

2012

Industry Issues

Lumber pricing/availability Nail pricing Competition from alternative materials Internal competitive pricing OSHA regulations USDA/APHIS state/county/municipal quarantines ISPM 15 regulations FDA regulations Labor shortages Employment regulations Customer awareness and understanding their increased

demands Footprint changes – stringer to block Pallet pools Health insurance cost

Positioning the Future

NWPCA’s Future’s Research Project

2012

Exercise Book

Positioning for the Future

Bruce ScholnickPresident & CEO

National Wooden Pallet and Container Association

A WorkbookTo

Jump Start Your Creative Engine

People get stuck by focusing on efforts to try and fix what is wrong instead of working toward what they truly want.

A + B…n C

Criteria for Criteria

M = Accurately capture the collective thoughts of our industry;

M = Are realistic;M = Define the specific significant requirements for

policy efficacy,M = Define parameters related to management,

development, programs, expertise and finance;M = State all/only relevant data in a minimum number

of statements;M = Point to at least one way to start;M = Provide a framework for judging and improving

ideas;

Criteria consist of statements that form a matrix which, taken together:

M = Must

D = Desirable

B = Bonus

Criteria for Criteria

M = Is consistent within itself and within the criteria context;

M = Is realistic;

M = Is rated and ordered in relation to its perceived importance;

M = Is concise;

M = Is specific, avoiding ranges, and

D+= Is a positive statement/definition

And each of which, taken alone:

M = Must

D = Desirable

B = Bonus

Key Issues for Criteria Development

How long before commercialization

Cost of entry Cultural match Industry vs. individual

entry New venture or add-on

to existing business Labor intensity Amount of

govern/regulatory interaction

Amount of competition

Mature or emerging market

Level of risk tolerance Steepness of learning

curve Margin requirement Market demand Raw material

availability Funding source Technology availability Other barriers to entry

Market Opportunity

New market for wood/wood-based byproduct

Wood pallet enhancement Alternative transport logistics Process improvement/efficiencies Pallet handling equipment Something totally new

Project Team (Evaluative)

Setting Criteria Evaluation Opportunity Areas

Group Session (Creative)

Developing concepts Developing ideas

Future Panels

Children Tire dealers Intermodal containers

specialists Grocery stores Logistics experts End-users DC operators Truckers/truck industry Chemists Heat treatment experts

Machine manufacturers Energy providers Landfill specialists Package designers Forestry Mulch/landscape

material Military Fumigators Weight loss specialists

Future Panels

Extruders Plastic industry Material scientists Structural engineers Magnetic engineers Aeronautical engineers Carnival ride/Disney ride inventors Airport designers Saw mills Biofuel providers

Timetable

March – Florida October –Texas