AICC NWPCA Partnership Propels Training into the Future

March 16, 2021 – AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, has partnered with The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA), to connect the Pallet Design System™ (PDS) training, AICC's packaging education program, and the Packaging School's online learning management system.

"We're excited about the partnership and to offer content to our members from AICC's world-class online training system," said Brent McClendon, NWPCA President & CEO. "Our recent release of PDS for Unit Load for Corrugated Boxes make the partnership an ideal fit with AICC."

AICC's existing program provides comprehensive training for corrugated, folding carton, and rigid box plant industries. As part of the partnership, the Packaging School will include the PDS curriculum on unit load for boxes in AICC's course offerings.

"The opportunity to partner with NWPCA on this course is a natural because the box always goes someplace. The PDS from NWPCA shows graphically how that happens, which is a critical element for designers at the box plant," said Michael M. D'Angelo, AICC President.

"The pace and scale at which NWPCA is advancing PDS provide great opportunities for manufacturers and packaging professionals everywhere," said Kristen DeLack, PE, PDS Structural Engineer. "AICC courses on corrugated board and other paper-based packaging media will give members a great foundation to build upon for their custom pallet and unit load designs."

The NWPCA and the Packaging School developed a member portal to access the complete course bundle that focuses on corrugated boxes and pallet design. An initial catalog of four courses in English and Spanish covers unit load design and corrugated boxes. NWPCA's staff will release new courses on PDS and related topics as the year progresses.

"This is an exciting virtual learning program that we are announcing," said Brad Gething, PhD, NWPCA Director of Science & Technology Integration. "It is our responsibility as global leaders in wood packaging to ensure we address opportunities for digital inclusion and greatly expand PDS as the global tool in pallet design and unit load solutions."

These courses are free for NWPCA and AICC members.