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Columbia Forest Products, Greensboro, N.C., has acquired PRO Pallet LLC, a custom pallet manufacturer/recycler and crating/packaging solutions provider with operations in Dover, York and Harrisburg, Pa.
“This transaction represents an outstanding opportunity to strengthen and extend our capabilities,” said Mark Schaffer, founder and president of PRO Pallet. “I look forward to remaining on board beyond the transition and maintaining the high standard of service and care that defines our work for both our customers and our team.”
The acquisition represents a strategic expansion of Columbia’ capabilities in industrial wood products and supply chain solutions, further diversifying its position in the North American pallet and packaging market. Columbia entered the pallet and packaging market in 2022 with its acquisition of JC Pallet with operations in Virginia and North Carolina.
PRO Pallet will operate normally during the integration process, ensuring continuity of service and uninterrupted support for customers. Over time, Columbia’s pallet businesses will align operations and leverage shared expertise, infrastructure, and procurement advantages.
Greg Pray, Columbia’s president and CEO, added: “We welcome Mark and the PRO Pallet employees to Columbia. They join an exceptional group of employee-owners at whose vision is to build an engaged culture that drives sustainable growth, leaving families, customers, and communities better that we found them.”
Jamie Ward, Columbia's director of corporate development, said, "With PRO Pallet under the Columbia umbrella, customers will experienced enhanced benefits around quality, service and support, while our employee-owners will enjoy a strengthened position in the attractive market for wood pallet and packaging services."
Founded in 1957, Columbia Forest Products operates seven hardwood plywood mills and four hardwood veneer plants, in addition to its two pallet manufacturing divisions.
Columbia is one of the longest-running Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) organizations in the United States, becoming 100% employee-owned in 1984.
