PDS Training

Brazilian Association for Mechanically Processed Timber (ABIMCI) is a prominent organization in Brazil, representing the entire wood supply chain. ABIMCI works towards advancing the growth and competitiveness of the Brazilian wood processing sector, ensuring its members adhere to high-quality standards and environmental sustainability principles and providing a platform for industry stakeholders to address common challenges.

The Canadian Wood Pallet and Container Association (CWPCA) is a non-profit organization that represents manufacturers and distributors of wooden pallets, containers, and related products in Canada. The CWPCA serves as a platform for its members to exchange information and best practices, and to advocate for policies that promote the sustainable and responsible use of wood packaging materials. The association also offers training and certification programs to promote safety and quality in the industry. In addition, the CWPCA oversees the Canadian Heat-Treated Wood Products Certification Program (HT Program) on behalf of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Overall, the CWPCA plays a crucial role in supporting the Canadian economy and encouraging the use of eco-friendly packaging solutions.

TIMCON, short for the UK Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation, is a trade association representing the interests of the timber packaging industry in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The organization serves as a voice for its members, which include manufacturers, pallet poolers, sawmillers, recyclers of wooden pallets, crates, and packaging materials. TIMCON works to promote the use of timber as a sustainable and environmentally friendly material for packaging, while advocating for responsible forest management practices. In addition to advocacy work, the association offers a range of services and resources to support its members, including training and education programs, industry research, and networking opportunities. Through its efforts, TIMCON aims to promote the growth and competitiveness of the timber packaging industry in the UK and Ireland, while also contributing to a more sustainable future.

The Sweden Forest Industries Federation is a trade association that represents the interests of companies engaged in forestry and the forest industry in Sweden. Its membership includes large and small businesses involved in activities such as pulp and paper production, sawmilling, and the manufacture of other forest products. The Federation works to promote the sustainable management and use of Sweden’s forests, while also advocating for policies that support the competitiveness of the forest industry. Additionally, the Federation provides its members with information, resources, and training opportunities to support their business activities and advance the industry. Through its work, the Sweden Forest Industries Federation plays an important role in driving economic growth, promoting sustainable development, and preserving the country’s valuable forest resources.

The Netherlands Association for Wood Packaging (EPV) is a trade organization that represents the interests of manufacturers and suppliers of wooden packaging in the Netherlands. The EPV promotes the responsible use of wood as a sustainable and renewable resource for packaging materials, and works to improve the quality and safety of wooden packaging products. The association also provides training and education to its members to enhance their skills and knowledge in the industry. Through its activities, the EPV contributes to the growth and competitiveness of the Dutch wooden packaging sector, while advocating for environmental sustainability and responsible forest management practices.

Laszlo Horvath is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech. He received an MS in Wood Engineering and an MS in Engineering Management from the University of West Hungary in 2007. He also received a PhD in Forest Biomaterials from North Carolina State University in 2010. Dr. Horvath is currently the Director of the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. He is teaching package engineering and pallet design to both undergraduate and graduate students. His research areas include the analysis of interactions between the components of unit loads and the development of bio-based and sustainable packaging materials.

Brad Gething, PhD, is NWPCA’s Vice President of Science & Technology. He serves as point of contact for PDS design support and education. He also participates in various standards bodies, promotion of research and development, and support on other technical and regulatory issues to the wood packaging industry. Prior to joining NWPCA staff in 2013, Brad worked at Penn State University as a post-doctoral scholar, researching issues related to the phytosanitation of wood packaging and ISPM-15.

Kristen DeLack is a 20-year veteran Structural Engineer who joined NWPCA in 2016. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas and Virginia. Kristen graduated Summa Cum Laude from VA Tech with two Bachelor’s and one Master’s degrees, concentrating in multidisciplinary and structural engineering. Prior to joining NWPCA, Kristen worked in the offshore oil and gas industry as a structural engineer and engineering project manager. During this time, she developed design and analysis software tools that helped engineers efficiently design and build safe subsea structures. She is widely recognized as an expert in finite element analysis, which serves as the backbone for calculations performed by PDS.