Napier Pallet's story is about more than just embracing new technology

Napier Pallet's story is about more than just embracing new technology; it's deeply connected to family, perseverance, and leaving a lasting mark. It started over 40 years ago in Butler, Kentucky, in the driveway of Brandi's family home. Her father, with just a vision and a hammer, started what would grow into a successful pallet business. This simple beginning, fueled by hard work and strong family values, created a legacy that Brandi would one day inherit.

Napier Pallet's evolution is a testament to the transformative power of digital adoption in a traditional family business setting. Under Brandi's leadership, the company took a significant leap by integrating Pallet Connect, revolutionizing their operational framework that had been established over decades. This pivotal transition wasn't solely about technological advancement; it was deeply rooted in Brandi's commitment to preserving the legacy of the business she grew up with.

After leading the company for many years, Brandi's parents decided it was time to retire. Brandi remembers thinking, "The company was like another member of our family. We couldn't bear the thought of selling it." The business wasn't just a way to make money; it was a part of her family's story, a tribute to her parents' dedication and hard work. But with her parents stepping down, especially as her father faced cancer, Brandi found herself at a crucial turning point.

Brandi left her corporate job to join the family business, starting from the bottom to understand every part of the operation. The company's reliance on old-school methods like paper, whiteboards, and sticky notes made everything more complicated. Her days often began at 6 am and didn't end until late at night, as she tried to keep everyone on track, ensuring orders were correct and communicating changes, all while being constantly sought after by her team for approvals. It was a chaotic period that strained her ability to balance work and personal life.

Knowing this couldn't continue, Brandi looked for a solution. Although her parents were initially hesitant about making big changes, they recognized she needed help managing the daily tasks, from orders and logistics to billing.

Adopting Pallet Connect was a big step, driven by Brandi's commitment to her family and their life's work. "It changed everything from day one," she says. "I could see all our operations in real time, making updates took just minutes, and everyone stayed informed. It made invoicing, scheduling, and team communication much simpler." This shift was the start of a new chapter for Napier Pallet, merging tradition with modern technology. Pallet Connect streamlined operations and injected new energy into the business, supporting growth, increasing efficiency, and helping Brandi find a better balance between her work and family life.

Before this change, Napier Pallet was run in a very traditional way, like many family-owned businesses. Relying on manual methods for managing orders and logistics was familiar but inefficient and error-prone. Handling a large customer base and numerous daily shipments without a centralized system often led to overlooked details. Trying to organize six to eight tractor trailer loads of pallets daily, each with its unique requirements, on a whiteboard, was fraught with human errors," Brandi explained.

The decision to look for a comprehensive system like Pallet Connect was driven by the urgent need to address specific challenges that Brandi faced daily. "I was spending nights at the office, manually handling invoicing to ensure timely payments. It was unsustainable," she admitted. The shift to automated invoicing significantly expedited the payment process and allowed Brandi to focus on strategic growth areas rather than getting bogged down in operational details.

Without a digital setup, essential information was scattered, overwhelming Brandi as she tried to manage everything by herself. The old way of tracking and communicating made it hard to quickly update the team about changes, causing delays and downtime. Brandi also recounted the difficulties of needing to be physically present for operational approvals. "I used to be tracked down in the warehouse for every little decision. Now, if I'm away and a call comes in, I can make changes remotely. More often than not, my team has already seen and acted on these updates by the time I check in," she said. This level of flexibility and autonomy has significantly enhanced the efficiency and responsiveness of their operations.

Moving to Pallet Connect required effort and commitment to ensure all important data was correctly entered. "You need to be thorough," Brandi points out, "to capture all essential details for the system to be as beneficial as possible."

Getting the team comfortable with the new system was vital. Despite potential challenges, such as language barriers and the shift from manual to digital, the transition was smooth, thanks to Pallet Connect's easy-to-use interface and support for multiple languages.

This change had a big impact, improving every aspect of the business. The old logistical problems were gone, replaced by a more organized process. Updates happened in real time, and automated scheduling got rid of the old manual planning mess. Digitizing operations meant everything was recorded, making it easier to manage the team and the business overall. The efficiency from automated billing and scheduling freed up Brandi to focus more on growth strategies rather than day-to-day operations. One of the biggest changes was in Brandi's personal life, where she now had more time for family, thanks to the efficiencies gained from Pallet Connect. "With Pallet Connect, we've been able to expand, buying another building and growing our business. I couldn't handle our current scale without it," Brandi shares.

Napier Pallet's journey from manual processes to a streamlined, digital operation serves as an inspirational model for traditional businesses considering a similar transition. "For those hesitant about digital transformation, our experience is a testament to the benefits it brings. Embrace the change. The right technology can redefine your business, enhancing efficiency, growth, and work-life balance," Brandi encourages.

Brandi often tells others in the pallet industry about how great Pallet Connect is for managing a business. Setting it up takes time and careful input of information, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial effort. Paying attention to setup details ensures the system works well, minimizing the need for corrections later. Using Pallet Connect's technical support can help overcome any challenges during the transition, making it easier to get the most out of the system. Ensuring the whole team is on board and understands how the system benefits their work is key to a successful transition.

Brandi's experience with Pallet Connect shows how traditional businesses can transform by embracing technology. By being open to change and using the right tools, Napier Pallet not only solved its operational challenges but also set new standards for efficiency and growth in its industry.