ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Just over a month after U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Alabama, visited Bay Wood Products Inc., a positive policy change with far-reaching impacts has been agreed upon by members of the U.S. General Service Administration, a federal agency overseeing purchasing policies for a multitude of government programs, including those who use wooden crates and pallets.

During the May 27 visit to the Baldwin County employer, Byrne heard from Bay Wood Products founder and president Jimmy Wilson and Patrick Atagi, vice president of Advocacy and External Affairs with the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association.

The three toured the 20-acre property and plant, discussing the wooden pallet and container industry. Specifically, Atagi told Byrne about a serious oversight regarding the sustainability of wooden pallets and crates relating to GSA’s role in the logistical supply chain. Byrne was asked to send a letter to the U.S. General Service’s Administration, requesting that wooden pallets and crates — and not just pallets made from plastic — be included in its guide for what government agencies should look for when making purchases viewed as sustainable. Byrne agreed, and sent a letter within a week of the visit. Three weeks after that, he had a response, Wilson said.

The General Services Administration responded positively to Byrne’s request, in the form of a letter, agreeing to include new language about wooden crates and pallets being a sustainable option for federal agencies.

“We were just delighted,” Wilson said. “I believe the quick turnaround is a tribute to what the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association does for our industry. And a win for wooden pallets and crates is also a win for our employees, customers, vendors and suppliers across the Alabama Gulf Coast.”

“The feedback we’ve received on the tour has been outstanding and NWPCA thanks Bay Wood Products for hosting such a great event,” Atagi said. “I visited with Congressman Byrne in his Washington, DC office the week after the tour and the Congressman said it was easily in his top ten visits.”

The May 27 visit to Bay Wood was the first for Byrne. Wilson hopes it won’t be his last: “We are truly grateful for the fast action by our Congressman,” Wilson said. “He listened to our needs, he talked with our staff. It’s clear to me he truly wants to help small businesses and those they employ in our state.”

Since 1994, Bay Wood Products has been a full service manufacturer of wooden pallets, rough cut lumber, dunnage and custom crates with a recent expansion into the biofuel and mulch markets. Bay Wood crafts pallets of all sizes and specifications for big industry, large chemical companies, manufacturers, local farmers and shipping.

For more information about the company, call 251-960-1107 or visit bay-wood-products.com.