Woodpack Global represents the wooden pallet, crate, and wood transport packaging sector internationally, bringing together manufacturers, recyclers, suppliers, and other businesses across the forest products and logistics value chain.
Woodpack Global, formerly the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA), is an international trade association representing the wood transport packaging industry. Founded in 1947, the organization has long played a central role in the North American wood pallet industry, while steadily expanding its membership, technical programs, and policy activities internationally.
The association adopted the Woodpack Global name in 2026 to better reflect that broader reach. While pallets remain a core focus, the organization is increasingly active across crates and other forms of wood transport packaging, as well as in engineering, sustainability, public policy, education, and international industry collaboration. Read more about the transition from NWPCA to Woodpack Global.
Woodpack Global at a Glance
Founded: 1947
Most Recent Former name: National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA)
Membership: More than 820 member companies in more than 40 countries
Sector: Wooden pallets, crates, industrial wood packaging, and related products and services
Key activities: Advocacy, engineering and design tools, education, safety, sustainability, research, and industry networking
President & CEO: Brent McClendon
What Woodpack Global does
Woodpack Global serves as both an industry representative and a technical and educational resource for companies involved in wood transport packaging. Its work includes advocacy on regulatory and policy issues, development of engineering and design tools, safety and sustainability initiatives, technical education, research, and opportunities for collaboration through conferences, committees, plant tours, and other industry programs.
Under the NWPCA name, the association became particularly well known for its work in pallet engineering, industry education, and the development of technical resources such as the Pallet Design System. Those activities continue, but the Woodpack Global identity reflects a broader effort to represent the full wood packaging sector and to engage more actively on issues affecting members beyond North America.
A growing global role
That international role has become increasingly visible through the association’s involvement in regulatory and policy discussions. Woodpack Global has been active on issues involving packaging regulation, reuse, recycling, extended producer responsibility, and the recognition of wood packaging within circular economy frameworks.
In Europe, the association became a founding member of Wood Pallets for Europe, a Brussels-focused alliance launched in 2026 to strengthen the wooden pallet industry’s voice with European Union institutions and policymakers. The alliance brings Woodpack Global together with leading European pallet manufacturers and associations at a time when the industry is closely following implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, or PPWR, as well as development of the Circular Economy Act.
Woodpack Global President and CEO Brent McClendon said the alliance provides an opportunity to increase the industry’s voice and impact in Brussels while building greater awareness of the sustainability credentials of wooden pallets. The initiative also gives the sector a more coordinated way to explain the realities of pallet reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling as European policymakers develop new circular economy requirements.
The association has also been active in North American regulatory discussions, including extended producer responsibility requirements and other packaging policies that could affect wooden pallets and transport packaging. That advocacy role has become a more prominent part of Woodpack Global’s work as governments place greater emphasis on packaging reuse, recovery, recyclability, and material reporting.
Pallet and crate engineering tools
Woodpack Global is perhaps best known technically for the Pallet Design System™ (PDS), engineering software used to design and evaluate wooden pallets based on factors such as load characteristics, lumber, fasteners, handling conditions, and structural performance. PDS has become an important design tool for pallet manufacturers and users seeking to better match pallet construction with the demands of a particular application.
In September 2026, the association extended that engineering focus beyond pallets with the launch of the Crate Design System™ (CDS). The initial version supports sheathed and cleated crates as well as basic solid wood boxes, giving industrial packaging designers a purpose-built environment for developing wood crate solutions.
The introduction of CDS is also significant in the context of the Woodpack Global rebrand. While pallets remain central to the association, the new software demonstrates a practical expansion into other forms of wood transport packaging rather than simply a change in name. Additional crate styles, engineering capabilities, CAD integration, and support for other packaging formats are expected to broaden the system over time.
Who Woodpack Global represents
Woodpack Global reports more than 820 member companies in more than 40 countries. Its membership includes wooden pallet manufacturers and recyclers, crate and industrial packaging producers, sawmills and lumber suppliers, equipment manufacturers, fastener suppliers, heat-treatment providers, technology companies, and other businesses serving the wood packaging supply chain.
That membership ranges from independent regional operations to large multi-location companies and international organizations. The broader mix reflects both the association’s historical roots in the pallet industry and its more recent effort to bring together businesses involved in the wider wood transport packaging sector.
Leadership and governance
Woodpack Global is led by President and CEO Brent McClendon and a member-elected Board of Directors. In 2026, the association announced its first board under the Woodpack Global identity following the formal introduction of the new brand at its Annual Leadership Conference.
The board includes representatives from pallet manufacturing, recycling, lumber supply, equipment, and other parts of the industry, providing governance across the broader range of companies now represented by the organization. View the 2026–2027 Woodpack Global Board of Directors.
Recent Woodpack Global news
Wood Pallets for Europe Launches to Strengthen Industry Voice in Brussels
Woodpack Global joins European manufacturers and associations as a founding member of a new Brussels-based pallet advocacy alliance.
Woodpack Global Launches Crate Design System for Industrial Wood Packaging
The association expands its engineering software activities beyond pallets with a purpose-built design platform for wooden crates and industrial packaging.
Woodpack Global Names Inaugural Board Following Rebrand
The first Board of Directors under the Woodpack Global identity reflects the association’s transition to a broader international wood packaging organization.
NWPCA to Rebrand as Woodpack Global, Reflecting Broader Wood Packaging Scope and Global Reach
PPWR Guidance Clarifies Exemptions for Wood Pallets in Global Trade and Custom-Sized Applications
NWPCA Secures Major Win for Wooden Pallet Manufacturers in New EU Packaging Regulation
Contact
- Website: woodpackglobal.org
