Over this summer, we released our new CPULD website! The site is in line with current Virginia Tech branding (colors and fonts) and follows the same format you’re used to seeing on many Virginia Tech affiliated websites. You’ve probably already noticed the new look and feel, but we’d like to point out a few of the new features of this upgrade.

Our testing laboratories and capabilities often take precedent for our industry members. As before, each lab has its own area on the website, and all tests conducted therein are explained in detail along with a listing each of the labs’ pieces of equipment linked to the tests they help us conduct. In addition to our main labs (Distribution Packaging Lab, Corrugated Packaging Materials Lab, and the Sustainable Packaging Materials Lab), we now also have separate pages for our IKEA testing and our Amazon testing, as well as our Fastener Testing Lab.

CPULD research into pallets, unit loads, corrugated board, and primary packaging materials is in-depth and ongoing. Our current graduate students are all listed on the Graduate Research page and their research projects are detailed. We also list the recent Undergraduate Research projects that have been conducted. Whether you’re interested in learning about new technologies available for supply chains or how a pallet handles carrying drums and pails, you can read about the projects in process on these pages. Easily linked from both are pages detailing how you can become involved in graduate and undergraduate research projects here at CPULD.

We offer many different options for industry members who would like to sponsor, become involved in, and/or benefit from the research being done in our labs. The main way to connect with us is through our Industrial Affiliate Membership Program. There are three different levels of membership, each with its own list of benefits, outlined on the membership webpage. Any level is an opportunity for leading pallet and packaging companies to work with researchers at Virginia Tech to advance the field of pallet and distribution packaging through systems-based unit load design, find talented employees, and network with world-leading researchers and industry professionals.

The new website also has an extensive About Us section, including links to CPULD’s social media, newsletters, articles of interest, and a new Meet Our Team page. Contacting CPULD is easier than ever with a new form on the Contact Us page that delivers your message directly to a CPULD team member who can best answer your questions.

Coming soon is a dedicated Members Only area of the website, which will be accessible only to companies who are members of CPULD’s Industrial Affiliate Membership program. Members will be able to access new research prior to the general public, learn about upcoming member-only webinars and events, and have access to our Searchable Library of Info and Center Knowledge (SLICK). SLICK is our database of thousands of research articles that are not available to the general public and which have proven to be very helpful to our industry partners.

Please explore the new website and let us know if you have any questions!