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Founders’ History: Why PalettenSymposium Exists

As a joint project of PalettenReport and Wrocław Logistics Days, PalettenSymposium connects two strong networks: industry, trade, and logistics on one side – pallet manufacturers, traders, pooling providers, software and service providers on the other.

In the early 2000s, events regarding euro pallets, pallet exchanges, and load carriers were regularly held in Germany. Representatives from industry, trade, logistics, pallet manufacturers, pooling providers, and service providers met there – openly, directly, and without unnecessary intermediaries. For me, Olaf Oczkosa, these events had a huge impact. After three events, I was already infected with the pallet virus.

From these meetings later emerged projects such as Palettenring, Palettentest, pallet price index, four-market pallet model, and finally PalettenReport. More importantly: The knowledge gained during these events helped me during my time at K+S to identify and implement significant savings potentials in the area of pallets.

Many years later, it became clear: The market was again lacking such a place.

That’s why in 2024 we initiated PalettenSymposium. What started as a new beginning, after the events in 2024 and 2025, transformed into a permanent meeting place for decision-makers from industry, trade, logistics, the pallet industry, pooling, software, and warehouse automation. Participants’ feedback clearly shows: There is a demand. PalettenSymposium is described as a place where practice, innovations, and exchange meet, where new contacts are made, and where conversations lead to concrete projects.

The special character begins already on the eve. At the Hafen Hotel Wrocław, participants meet in a relaxed atmosphere, pick up their badges, enjoy champagne, beer, and initial conversations, and later deepen the exchange during a joint networking dinner with a buffet and drinks. It is often there that conversations arise that would never happen in normal daily business: shippers talk to pallet manufacturers, traders with pooling providers, forwarders with software companies, and automation experts with decision-makers from trade and industry.

On the second day, concise practical lectures, discussions, and insights from real pallet logistics follow. In 2026, topics such as pallet exchange, pallet documents, pallet quality, ABC classification, AI-based pallet inspections, smart pooling, tracking, load carrier management in trade, pallet prices, and e-commerce logistics will be in focus. The program shows: The pallet is no longer a marginal topic. It determines costs, availability, process safety, automation, and stable supply chains.

Therefore, PalettenSymposium is not a classic congress or purely sales event. It is a market of knowledge, contacts, and decisions. No generalities. No pure product presentations. Instead: real practical experiences, current market data, open discussions, and networking with people who are responsible in the area of pallets.

My personal motivation today is the same as it was over 20 years ago: I want to connect people who want to make pallet processes better, fairer, more transparent, and more cost-effective. Because there is still a lot of money in the pallet industry, a lot of potential for disputes – but also a lot of untapped intelligence.

PalettenSymposium is a place where these topics are addressed. Over dinner. In lectures. During breaks. And sometimes exactly in a conversation that was not planned at all beforehand.