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May/June 2019

IPANA NEWS

IPANA’s next Spring Conference will be held April 20-22 at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina at the stately Carolina Hotel. Prepare to immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of this resort.  This historic resort was founded in 1895 and is closely associated with the growth of golf in the USA.  You do not have to be a golfer to enjoy this stunning property.  The opening reception on Monday, April 20 will be held at the 18-hole putting course nicknamed Thistle-Dhu with cocktails on the Donald Ross Grill veranda!

At the recent IPANA meeting, Jim Beardsley was recognized with Lifetime Membership in the Industrial Steel Drum Institute (ISDI). The award is given to long-time members of the steel drum industry in recognition of their service and dedication to the organization and the industry. At North Coast Container, co-founded in 1983 by his late father Earnest, Beardsley worked his way up the company’s ladder for 20 years, becoming chairman and CEO in 2011. Under his leadership, the company invested in new machinery and equipment, computer and communication systems, and manufacturing and administrative systems to improve operational efficiency and customer support. Beardsley also made it a priority to recruit, hire and train a leading workforce in the industry. In 2018, he oversaw the acquisition of North Coast Container by a fellow steel drum business, General Steel Drum, owned by the Stavig family.

The Industrial Packaging Alliance of North America (IPANA), the leading organization for the manufacturers of new industrial packaging and their suppliers in North America, announced an addition to its mission statement. The update aims to better characterize the commitment of its member companies to developing sustainable products. “Sustainability is as important for the packaging process as it is for the final product,” said Kyle Stavig, chairman of IPANA and CEO of Myers Container LLC, General Steel Drum LLC, Container Management Services LLC, and North Coast Container LLC. “Our products are designed to be recycled, reused or reconditioned, and we realized we needed to enhance our mission statement to show that we are as committed as ever to educating the public and the industry about our products.” The addition to the mission statement reads as follows:

Promote the use of industrial packaging that is designed to be effective and safe throughout its lifecycle while meeting the market requirements for performance and cost. Once used, the packaging is recycled or reconditioned for reuse, reducing its environmental impact and promoting a circular economy.

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Regulatory Updates

The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Agency (PHMSA) recently announced Mr. Bill Quade is joining the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) as Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy and Programs. Bill is a long-time member of the Senior Executive Service, and he brings the benefit of his experience in his most recent role overseeing the Enforcement and Program Delivery office at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Bill’s responsibilities at FMCSA included providing leadership for planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of motor carrier inspection and enforcement programs. This role included a focus on ensuring the safe transportation of hazardous materials.

The FMCSA’s online Clearinghouse that contains information about driver drug and alcohol program violations will be operational beginning January 6, 2020. At that time, all employers hiring new drivers will be required to check the clearinghouse for drug and alcohol violations. The online database will provide resources to help CDL drivers and their employers prepare for use of the clearinghouse. Registration will begin in the fall of 2019. You can visit https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov to learn more and to subscribe to email updates about the Clearinghouse. You can also send questions directly to the following email address [email protected]

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a request for information (RFI) about updating their Lockout/Tagout standard. The goal is to better promote worker safety and reduce the burden on employers. According to OSHA they are seeking information on technological advancements, including new control circuit devices and robotic technologies as part of their effort to update the LO/TO standard. Comments are due August 18, 2019.  To read the RFI, click here.

OSHA published another request for information on March 11, 2019 regarding powered industrial trucks (forklifts). The agency is looking for information in various industrial sectors about the types, age and usage of forklifts as well as maintenance and repair. The agency is also seeking information about the types of accidents and injuries associated with the operation of powered lift trucks.  You can view the RFI by clicking here.  Comments are due by June 10, 2019.

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News

Uber Freight has announced a partnership with enterprise software firm SAP in order to improve their supply chain efficiency.  “Finding and booking freight can be the most expensive and often the most complex piece of the supply chain,” said Hala Zeine, president of SAP Digital Supply Chain.  “This combined solution will remove roadblocks and offers a simpler, more automated approach that streamlines operations, delivers tangible cost savings and ultimately creates a better customer experience.”  Uber Freight’s mobile app for carriers is designed primarily for small fleets and independent drivers.

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People, Places & Things

The Association of Asia-Oceanic Steel Drum Manufacturers (AOSD) has announced the opening of on-line registration for the 10th International Conference on Oct 14 -17, 2019. The AOSD Steel Drum International Conference is held once every three years. The theme of this conference is the new mission of the steel drum industry focusing on innovation, environmental protection and social responsibility. The conference will be hosted by the Chinese Packaging Federation (CPF) in Suzhou, China. The conference will be held at the Kempinski Suzhou Hotel.  You can register using this link.  Mr. Stavig, ISDI and ICDM Chairman, has been invited to deliver key remarks about the steel drum industry during the conference.

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