Author
Hartson Poland
New Business Development
Hartson retired from Nelson Company in late 2025 after 10 years of service and a 30+ year career in plastic pallets. Hartson started in the plastic pallet industry as a maintenance mechanic. In a year, Hartson was the Plant Manager. In five years, he was working on major accounts and negotiating raw material purchases, and in ten years he was running the company. Hartson’s extensive experience in the industry includes application analysis, product development and negotiating purchase orders with some of the largest companies in the world. Hartson has had articles appear in several industry organs including Material Handling Product News and Pallet Enterprise. Hartson is credited with solving some of the most complex material handling challenges the industry has seen.
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More from this author
What Material is used for Plastic Pallets?
Cost-per-Pallet vs Cost-per-Use in a Closed Loop
Can a more expensive pallet actually save you money? Calculating cost-per-use is a good place to start.
What is California Proposition 65 and what does it Mean for Pallets?
Pallets being sold for use in California may have to prove that they do not contain chemicals on the Prop 65 list (or furnish a warning if they do).
Does Your Plastic Pallet Container Really Need a Lid?
When do I Need True Freezer Grade Plastic Pallets?
You run a cold storage operation. The FDA has been in a time or two so you’re looking into switching to plastic pallets for sub-freezing storage.
History of the Unit Load: How We Got Here
Cheap labor softened early demand for unit load innovation. WWII requirements helped pave the way for the lift trucks and palletized loads we use today.