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PalletOne, a member of UFP Industries, has its roots in Shipshewana, Indiana, where it originally operated as Shipshewana Hardwoods. Established in the early 1970s by Josey Bontrager, the company began as a small-scale pallet manufacturer and has since evolved into one of the largest new pallet manufacturers in the United States. As a vital part of logistics, new pallets serve as the backbone for shipping goods across various sectors.
From the beginning, PalletOne has experienced significant growth. Starting with just a handful of employees—Josey’s wife, Judy, and Josey’s dad—the company now employs over 70 full-time workers. The first pallets were produced using only a hammer and nails.
In recent years, PalletOne has produced over one million pallets annually, generating sales exceeding $20 million. Team members consistently work over 40 hours a week, even in slower economic times, as pallets are essential for moving a wide range of products, from raw materials to finished goods.
Like many businesses, PalletOne has faced challenges, particularly in sourcing labor. To address this issue, the company has focused on automation and streamlining processes, which not only improve efficiency but also help maintain productivity despite labor shortages.
PalletOne is dedicated to serving the local community in LaGrange County. The company provides residuals from its sawmill operations to local consumers and businesses, offering products such as colored mulch for landscaping, sawdust for animal bedding, and wood chunks for home heating.
Local residents can find PalletOne pallets being utilized by various businesses, including farms that bag seed corn and manufacturers that print graphics for popular cereal brands. In winter, you might even see PalletOne pallets under bags of ice melt. However, most of our customers produce raw materials for other manufacturers.
While PalletOne is a larger company with over fifty locations, the Shipshewana facility stands out due to its deep ties to the local manufacturing community. Many of the employees have lifelong experience in manufacturing, with family backgrounds in recreational vehicle production, modular homes, supplying materials to manufacturing businesses, and woodworking. This knowledge leads to a better foundational understanding for our team members. These skills give PalletOne a unique advantage in understanding production efficiencies and lean manufacturing practices.
PalletOne’s journey from a small family-run operation to a significant player in the pallet manufacturing industry showcases the importance of local roots, community connections, and a commitment to innovation. As the company continues to grow, it remains dedicated to supporting local residents and businesses, ensuring that it plays a vital role in both the economy and the community.
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