October 2004

Westpak Joins Project 4AB as a Supporting Sponsor
Westpak, Inc., a full-service packaging testing company with facilities in San Jose and Oceanside CA, has joined the ranks of ISTA Project 4AB sponsors.

Westpak becomes the 14th organization to support the creation of Project 4AB and its accompanying Data Depot. 4AB, currently under development, will be a web-based testing protocol and test plan generator; the Data Depot will be a clearinghouse for distribution environment information to be used by the new program and for other purposes. Click Here for complete information about 4AB, the Data Depot, the sponsorship program, and a list of all sponsors with links to their websites. Thanks to Westpak and all the sponsors for supporting this important work.
 

Take the ISTA Survey, Get a T-Shirt
A comprehensive membership survey, as announced in last month’s iNews, was released to ISTA Delegates on October 11. Responses will be used to guide ISTA operations, improve services, and expand the benefits platform.

The survey is completely web-based, and will take the user approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. We're asking for member opinions on current programs, testing and certification procedures, education, publications, the website, the value of membership, and future needs. As a thank you for participation, all members who submit a completed survey online will receive an ISTA T-shirt – just a small token of our appreciation for the time and effort spent in helping us with this important study. The survey must be completed and submitted by October 29th in order to receive a T-shirt.

At this point the response has been amazing, with nearly a 25% return! A huge THANK YOU to those who have already participated. But we’d like even more responses, for better representative results. All Delegates at member locations should have received a survey invitation, and they may have passed it on to Alternates or others. If you should have received an invitation but did not, or have lost the link, please contact Meredith Young at ISTA Headquarters.

Reserve Advertising Space NOW for the 2005 Resource Book

If your company is active within the transport packaging industry, you need to be advertising in ISTA’s annual Resource Book. The deadline for reserving ad space is October 27.

ISTA’s Resource Book is a wealth of information, considered to be a must-have for packaging reference shelves. The 2005 version will be more efficient and effective than ever before: while still including all the Test Procedures and Projects, the Guidelines for Selecting and Using ISTA Tests, and the comprehensive Laboratory Listings, we’re removing the Member Directory section and putting it online. This will keep member contact information up-to-the-minute, and also streamline the book for easier use and better visibility of each individual ad.

The 2005 Resource Book will be offered to the public and sent to all ISTA members in January.

Click Here to download the 2005 Resource Book Advertising Rates & Contract. Email Kathy Joneson at ISTA Headquarters before October 27 to reserve your ad space.

Visit ISTA at Pack Expo, Booth C26 in the Grand Concourse
ISTA will be part of “the largest packaging show in the Western Hemisphere”, Pack Expo International 2004, to be held November 7-11 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Pack Expo is huge, including 1900 exhibitors and more than 1.3 million square feet of exhibits. New this year will be The RFID Pavilion, The Packaging Security Resource Center, and The Showcase of Packaging Innovations. ISTA will be there representing your association and the transport packaging community, with staff, officers, and members available to provide information and answer questions. Stop by for a chat… we’re looking forward to seeing you there!

October Chicago Area Events Successful and Productive
During the week of October 4th, ISTA participated in the Parcel Shipping and Distribution Forum, presented a CPLP Workshop, and held the Fall Technical Committee meeting.

At the Parcel Forum, Ed Church, Steve Pierce, and Bill Kipp of ISTA staff presented an all-day tutorial entitled “Dock-to-Door: Limiting Parcel Package Transit Damage”. We introduced attendees to the concepts and benefits of pre-shipment testing, and explained the advantages of working with ISTA and our members.

The CPLP Workshop participants applied for and achieved Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional status as follows:

A highlight of the class was an evening tour of the UPS Chicago Area Consolidation Hub (CACH). Thanks to UPS for this informative and enjoyable tour!

The Technical Committee Meeting was hosted by UPS and attended by 21 members, officers, and staff. Items covered included:
     • Formation of the new Technical Council and Operating Policy
     • Review of the process for new Test Procedures and changes
     • Software or other methods for tracking document changes
     • An update on the status of Project 4AB and the Data Depot
     • Review of the final edits to 3A, and acceptance of 3A as an approved Procedure
     • Authorization of a task group to work on Project 3B, a proposed new protocol for
       LTL shipments
     • Review of the company-specific test procedure concept
     • A decision to review and possibly revise the Line Extension Policy
     • A need to revise the Conditioning Table used in many Procedures. Pal Khangaldy of Westpak
       pointed out that the “Desert (Dry)” condition of 60 degrees C and 30% RH actually contains
       more moisture than the “Tropical (Wet)” condition of 38 degrees C and 85% RH.

This meeting also included a tour of the UPS Chicago Area Consolidation Hub, as shown in the photo. Our thanks to Chad Thompson and UPS for once again hosting this meeting and for arranging the tour.

A complete summary of the proceedings is available from Headquarters and will be published in the next PST Newsletter.

Dimensions.05 Updates: Program Set, On-Line Registration and Exhibitor Forms Available
                                 

Dimensions.05 will be held March 8-11 at Walt Disney World, incorporating the solid technical program and great networking that are Dimensions hallmarks. On-line registration is now available, and organizations interested in exhibiting can download the 2005 Exhibitor brochure and contract.

The Dimensions.05 website has been updated, and there you’ll find the latest information on the program, speakers, events, hotel, sponsors, and exhibitors.

The program features a keynote address by one of the best and most knowledgeable presenters in the packaging industry, Dennis Young. Dennis will be followed by 26 other speakers during the 3-day conference, with representatives from big business, universities, parcel carriers, international research organizations, and many more. Topics range from specific case studies to packaging’s global role in combating terrorism.

You can now register on-line for Dimensions.05. Registration and signup can also be accomplished by requesting a form from Headquarters at 517-333-3437, or click here to print a PDF version of the registration form. Online registration is also available for organizations wishing to Exhibit.