Last October saw the annual FEFPEB* Conference in Bordeaux take place, to review developments in timber packaging and pallets in Europe.

Gil Covey, Managing Director of James Jones Group Company, Unit Pallets Ltd, is the outgoing President of FEFPEB, having been at the helm for the past eight years.

Gil opened the conference by highlighting that FEFPEB had grown significantly in scale and influence since the last European Interpal event in Bordeaux in 2001, and it continues to address all major issues affecting the wood packaging and pallets sector on behalf of its members.

Speaking about the conference Gil said:

“Collaboration between industry colleagues in the wooden pallet and packaging sector across continents is vital on a number of issues, if we are to achieve the best possible outcomes for the business on an international basis”.

“This is particularly important on ISPM 15. If we can speak with a common voice to the regulators it will help ensure that they can introduce scientifically justified, harmonised and practical measures for the benefit of both the world’s forests and the global timber industry. The positive discussions we had in Bordeaux have laid firm foundations for this.”

Gil added:

“The European wood packaging and pallets industry continues to face serious economic and commercial challenges. Our sector has demonstrated its resilience and flexibility to adapt to these pressures, which has allowed it to continue to provide its essential products and services that are absolutely critical in the global supply chain. I am confident it will continue to do so.”

Gil Covey

Gil Covey, Managing Director of Unit Pallets Ltd

Incoming president Rob van Hoesel said:

“During the last eight years, we have seen FEFPEB grow from strength to strength. With Gil Covey as president, we have developed a strong executive team working alongside our secretariat, and firm support from our membership. This has been coupled with increasingly productive ties with international colleagues and organisations representing other forest-based industries. These are essential and solid foundations for FEFPEB as a trade association that really furthers the interests of the business across Europe that belong to it. I am very proud to be taking on the role of president and looking forward to building on this excellent work in the years ahead.”

You can read more here

*(Federation Europeenne des Fabricants de Palettes et Emballages en Bois – The European Federation of Wooden Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers)