Keith Reinstetle Added as National Executive; Block Pallets Uptick in Wake of Sam’s Club Pallet Announcement
Tuscaloosa, AL & La Porte, TX — May 5, 2025 — Hinton Lumber Products LLC, a national leader in automated pallet manufacturing, has announced a significant expansion in its production of 48″x40″ block pallets to support suppliers adapting to Sam’s Club’s recent mandate. Effective May 1, 2025, Sam’s Club requires all inbound shipments to utilize its approved 48″x40″ block pallet design, phasing out traditional stringer-style pallets.
Sam’s Club Block Mandate Now in Effect
To meet this industry shift, Hinton has ramped up production of Sam’s Club-compliant block pallets at its automated facilities in Alabama and Texas. “This is a big change for suppliers who’ve relied on refurbished stringers for decades,” said Craig Stanton, Vice President of Sales at Hinton Lumber Products LLC. “But we’re built for this moment. With two high-speed plants and automated lines, we can meet national demand with quality and pricing that help our customers stay compliant and stay competitive.”
The Sam’s Club-approved block pallet is designed for compatibility with modern automated warehousing and manufacturing systems, featuring full four-way forklift entry and double-faced construction. Hinton’s advanced robotic assembly lines ensure these pallets maintain dimensional accuracy and structural integrity at scale. “Automation doesn’t tolerate variance,” Stanton noted. “Our fully automated plants allow us to produce high volumes of Sam’s Club pallets that are consistent, reliable, and performance-ready. That’s a critical advantage for customers with throughput goals.”
Keith Reinstetle Joins Hinton Lumber as National Account Executive
In response to the growing demand and to strengthen its national accounts, Hinton has welcomed industry veteran Keith Reinstetle as National Account Executive.
A well-respected veteran in the pallet and packaging industry, Reinstetle comes out of retirement to support Hinton’s rapid growth and strengthen its partnerships with national accounts across manufacturing, grocery, retail, and distribution sectors.
With a career spanning more than 40 years, Keith Reinstetle is recognized for his leadership and expertise in developing customer-centric supply chain solutions. His 40 years of industry experience have earned him a reputation as a trusted partner to Fortune 500 companies and regional leaders alike.
“Keith’s decision to come out of retirement and join Hinton speaks volumes about our momentum and the opportunities ahead,” said Larry Howell, President of Hinton Lumber Products LLC. “His industry knowledge, commitment to customer success, and passion for building relationships are exactly what we need to continue exceeding the expectations of our growing customer base.”
Stanton echoed Howell’s enthusiasm. “Keith is a rare talent—someone who understands both the operational and strategic needs of large-scale customers. His leadership will help guide our expansion as we continue investing in the automation, capacity, and service models today’s supply chains demand.”
Reflecting on his return to the industry, Reinstetle said, “Sometimes life steers you back to what you’re meant to do. People un-retire all the time. Michael Jordan tried baseball, I tried golf — but after six months of golfing, I realized I’m better at pallets.”
At Hinton Lumber LLC, Reinstetle will focus on growing relationships with key national accounts, advising customers on leveraging Hinton’s investment in advanced manufacturing, sustainability initiatives, and reliable pallet supply.
Hinton Lumber Products LLC operates state-of-the-art facilities in Houston, Texas, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, specializing in whitewood and EPAL block pallet production. Serving clients across all 50 states, Hinton supports North America’s leading grocery, beverage, chemical, and CPG manufacturers. Powered by some of the most advanced automated systems in the industry, Hinton delivers reliable, high-volume pallet solutions designed for today’s fast-paced, efficiency-driven supply chains.
For more information, visit hintonlumber.com and follow Hinton on LinkedIn.
Related Articles
Hinton Lumber, Leading Pallet Manufacturer, Announces Minority Partnership
NWPCA Announces New Leadership at Napa ALC
Our 12 Top Pallet Stories for 2024
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
