Our History
From a single warehouse and a pickup truck to a nationwide network — the story of how Pallets Resale grew into America's trusted used pallet partner.
Our Journey Since 2009
From a small Tampa operation to a nationwide pallet solutions provider
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Partner with us and help shape the future of sustainable pallet solutions.
A Story of Purpose and Growth
What started as one person's frustration with waste in the logistics industry has grown into a nationwide movement. Our history is a testament to the power of a simple idea: that every used pallet has value, and that sustainability and business success are not mutually exclusive.
Milestones That Shaped Us
The Spark That Started It All
Founder Ezekiel Thornwood, a veteran logistics manager, noticed thousands of usable pallets being sent to landfills every week at his distribution center. Convinced there was a better way, he began collecting and reselling used pallets from a rented 5,000 sq ft warehouse in Tampa, Florida. With a pickup truck, a small crew of three, and a deep commitment to reducing waste, Pallets Resale was born.
First Major Contract
Within a year, word spread about the quality of our reconditioned pallets. We secured our first major contract with a regional grocery distribution chain, supplying 10,000 recycled pallets per month. This milestone validated our business model and proved that used pallets could meet the stringent demands of commercial supply chains.
Warehouse Expansion & Repair Program
Demand outgrew our original facility. We moved into a 25,000 sq ft warehouse and launched our dedicated Pallet Repair Program. By investing in skilled repair technicians and professional-grade equipment, we extended the usable life of pallets by an average of 3-5 additional cycles, keeping even more wood out of landfills.
Zero-Waste Operations Achieved
We reached a landmark goal: zero waste to landfill from our own operations. Every pallet that entered our facility was either resold, repaired, or fully recycled. Wood that could not be rebuilt was converted into mulch, animal bedding, and biomass fuel. This commitment became a core part of our identity.
ISPM-15 Heat Treatment Certification
To serve customers with international shipping needs, we invested in on-site heat treatment facilities and earned ISPM-15 certification. This allowed us to offer heat-treated used pallets compliant with international phytosanitary standards, opening an entirely new market segment for our business.
Expansion Across the Southeast
We opened our second facility in Orlando, Florida, and our third in Atlanta, Georgia. This Southeast hub gave us coverage across the fastest-growing industrial corridor in America, enabling next-day delivery for customers throughout the region. Our fleet grew to 15 dedicated delivery trucks.
1 Million Pallets Recycled Milestone
We celebrated a monumental achievement: one million pallets diverted from landfills since our founding. To mark the occasion, we partnered with the National Forest Foundation and funded the planting of 10,000 trees — one for every 100 pallets recycled. This partnership continues to this day.
Sustainability Certification & Recognition
Pallets Resale earned its first formal sustainability certification from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). We were also recognized by the Florida Chamber of Commerce as a "Green Business of the Year" for our contributions to waste reduction and environmental stewardship in the logistics industry.
Southeast & Texas Expansion
We opened facilities in Atlanta, Georgia and Dallas, Texas, extending our reach across the Sun Belt. With five operational hubs, we now covered over 60% of U.S. pallet demand regions. Our team grew to over 120 employees, and we processed more than 300,000 pallets per month across all locations.
Resilience Through the Pandemic
When COVID-19 disrupted global supply chains, demand for affordable used pallets surged. We stepped up, implementing safety protocols for our warehouse teams while increasing output to support essential goods distribution. Our used pallets helped food banks, medical suppliers, and retailers maintain operations during the crisis.
Digital Transformation & Online Ordering
We launched our online platform, allowing customers to browse inventory, request quotes, and schedule pickups and deliveries digitally. The move to e-commerce streamlined operations and made our sustainable pallet solutions accessible to small businesses and startups for the first time.
West Coast Operations & 2 Million Pallet Milestone
Facilities in Los Angeles and Portland brought our used pallet network to the West Coast, completing our coast-to-coast coverage. That same year, we surpassed 2 million total pallets recycled. Our annual diversion rate reached 500,000 pallets per year — the equivalent of saving approximately 25,000 trees annually.
Carbon Neutral Operations Pledge
We announced our commitment to achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2027. Initiatives include transitioning our delivery fleet to hybrid and electric vehicles, installing solar panels at all warehouse facilities, and offsetting remaining emissions through verified carbon credit programs and reforestation projects.
Plastic Pallet Recycling Program Launch
Recognizing the growing use of plastic pallets in hygienic industries, we launched a dedicated plastic pallet recycling and resale program. Plastic pallets are cleaned, inspected, and recirculated — or ground down and sent to partner facilities for re-molding into new products. This expanded our circular economy model beyond wood.
Looking Ahead: A Greener Future
Today, Pallets Resale operates 8 facilities across the United States, employs over 200 people, and processes more than 2 million used pallets every year. But we are far from finished. Our goal is to divert 5 million pallets from landfills annually by 2030 and to become the most trusted name in sustainable pallet solutions nationwide.
The Man Behind the Mission
Ezekiel Thornwood spent 18 years in supply chain management before founding Pallets Resale. Working as a logistics director for a regional grocery chain, he witnessed firsthand the staggering waste in the pallet industry. Every week, his distribution center sent thousands of structurally sound pallets to the landfill simply because there was no efficient system to recirculate them.
The breaking point came in 2008, when Ezekiel calculated that his own facility was discarding over 5,000 usable pallets per month at a disposal cost of $3 each. That was $15,000 per month spent to destroy valuable assets. He began saving pallets in a rented corner of the warehouse and reselling them to local businesses at half the price of new.
Within three months, demand outstripped his ability to supply. He quit his job in January 2009, rented a 5,000 square foot warehouse in Tampa, and hired two people. Pallets Resale was officially born. Ezekiel drove the pickup truck himself for the first two years, personally picking up and delivering pallets to every customer.
Today, Ezekiel continues to lead the company with the same hands-on approach and environmental conviction that launched it. He visits the warehouse floor daily, knows most long-term customers by name, and remains the driving force behind the company's sustainability initiatives and growth strategy.
Founder Timeline
18 years in supply chain management at regional grocery and distribution companies in Florida
Calculated his employer was wasting $180,000/year on pallet disposal. Began reselling pallets on the side.
Resigned from his position and founded Pallets Resale in a rented 5,000 sq ft Tampa warehouse
Drove the pickup truck personally, built relationships one customer at a time, reinvested every dollar
Hired his 10th employee. Moved into a 25,000 sq ft facility. The founder stepped off the truck.
Celebrated 1 million pallets recycled. Launched the reforestation partnership with NFF.
Leads a 200+ person company operating 8 facilities coast to coast.
Awards & Recognition
Our commitment to sustainability, quality, and community has been recognized by industry organizations, government agencies, and business groups.
Florida Green Business of the Year
2018 — Florida Chamber of Commerce
Recognized for outstanding contributions to waste reduction and environmental stewardship in the state of Florida.
NWPCA Excellence in Recycling Award
2020 — National Wooden Pallet & Container Association
Honored for achieving zero-waste-to-landfill operations and industry-leading pallet recycling rates.
Tampa Bay Business Journal Fast 50
2021 — Tampa Bay Business Journal
Named one of the 50 fastest-growing companies in the Tampa Bay region based on three-year revenue growth.
EPA SmartWay Excellence Award
2022 — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Recognized for exceptional efforts to reduce transportation emissions and promote fuel-efficient freight operations.
Inc. 5000 Honoree
2023 — Inc. Magazine
Listed among the fastest-growing private companies in America based on revenue growth over a three-year period.
Sustainable Business Leadership Award
2024 — GreenBiz Group
Awarded for demonstrating that circular economy business models can achieve both environmental impact and financial success.
“I started this company because I couldn't stand watching perfectly good pallets get thrown away. Sixteen years later, that same feeling drives every decision we make. Every pallet we save is a small victory for the planet.”
Growing to Meet Demand
What started as a 5,000 sq ft warehouse with two employees has grown into a 200,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility processing over 2.5 million pallets annually. Our growth reflects our commitment to quality, reliability, and customer service.
Our Impact in Numbers
Since 2009, our work has had a measurable, positive impact on the environment and the businesses we serve.
Moments That Defined Us
A visual journey through the key moments in our company history, from our first warehouse to our coast-to-coast operations.
First Warehouse, Tampa, 2009
First Major Delivery, 2010
Team Celebrates 1M Pallets, 2017
Tree Planting Event, 2018
Atlanta Facility Opening, 2019
COVID-19 Response Operations, 2020
West Coast Expansion, 2022
Plastic Pallet Program Launch, 2024
Our Growth in Numbers
From three employees in 2009 to over 200 today, our growth has been driven by our commitment to sustainability and customer service.
| Year | Employees | Facilities | Pallets Processed (Annual) | States Served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 | 1 | 25,000 | 1 |
| 2011 | 12 | 1 | 120,000 | 3 |
| 2013 | 30 | 1 | 300,000 | 5 |
| 2015 | 55 | 2 | 600,000 | 10 |
| 2017 | 80 | 3 | 1,000,000 | 18 |
| 2019 | 120 | 5 | 1,500,000 | 30 |
| 2021 | 160 | 6 | 1,800,000 | 40 |
| 2023 | 190 | 7 | 2,000,000 | 48 |
| 2025 | 200+ | 8 | 2,000,000+ | All 50 |
Partnerships That Shaped Our Growth
Southeast Regional Grocery Chain
Our first major contract for 10,000 recycled pallets per month validated our business model and proved that recycled pallets could meet commercial supply chain demands. This partnership continues today with volumes exceeding 30,000 pallets monthly.
APHIS / NWPCA ISPM-15 Program
Earning ISPM-15 certification through the NWPCA-administered program allowed us to serve customers with international shipping needs, opening an entirely new revenue stream and establishing us as a compliance-ready supplier.
National Forest Foundation
This environmental partnership aligned our recycling mission with active reforestation. For every 100 pallets recycled, we fund the planting of one tree. To date, the partnership has resulted in over 50,000 trees planted across national forests.
EPA SmartWay Transport
Joining the SmartWay program committed us to measuring and reducing transportation emissions. We have since reduced per-delivery emissions by 22% through route optimization, fleet upgrades, and load consolidation strategies.
West Coast Logistics Networks
Partnerships with regional logistics providers on the West Coast enabled us to offer seamless pickup and delivery services in California, Oregon, and Washington without building a massive proprietary fleet from scratch.
Technology Evolution
From manual sorting and paper records to AI-powered systems and digital platforms, technology has been a key enabler of our growth and efficiency.
Manual Operations
Pallet grading was performed entirely by eye. Inventory tracked on spreadsheets. Orders taken by phone and email. Delivery routes planned manually with paper maps and local knowledge.
Systematic Processes
Implemented barcode scanning for inventory tracking. Adopted warehouse management software. Standardized grading criteria with training programs. Began using GPS fleet tracking for deliveries.
Data-Driven Operations
Deployed enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems connecting all facilities. Introduced demand forecasting based on historical data. Customer relationship management (CRM) systems improved service quality.
Digital Transformation
Launched our online ordering platform and customer portal. Integrated real-time inventory visibility across all locations. Implemented electronic proof of delivery and digital signature capture.
Automation & Analytics
Piloted automated conveyor systems for pallet sorting. Advanced route optimization software reduced delivery emissions by 22%. Business intelligence dashboards provided real-time operational metrics.
AI & Machine Learning
Developing computer vision systems for automated pallet grading. Machine learning models predict pallet supply and demand patterns. Exploring IoT sensors for real-time pallet condition monitoring across the supply chain.
Write the Next Chapter With Us
Whether you need to buy, sell, or recycle used pallets, we are ready to be your partner in sustainability and savings.