The European Federation of Wooden Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) has welcomed the appointment of one of its Executive Committee Members as the new Chairman of CEI-Bois, the organisation that represents European wood working industries.

Marc Michielsen was elected by the CEI-Bois General Assembly on 26th November 2013 to serve as Chairman for the coming two years.

FEFPEB President Rob van Hoesel, said: “We are absolutely delighted that a representative of the European pallet and packaging industry has been chosen as the Chairman of CEI-Bois.

“As an organisation, FEFPEB has worked very hard in recent years to raise the profile of our industry, which uses almost a quarter of the output of sawn timber in Europe. We communicate with users in the supply chain, politicians and journalists, but also with colleagues in the forest-based industry across Europe. Marc’s appointment as leader of this organisation is an extremely positive endorsement of our efforts – and recognition of the key part pallets and packaging play in the overall forest-based sector.

“As a member of our Executive Committee, Marc has played a vital role in several of FEFPEB’s recent and successful initiatives, ranging from the ISPM 15 Taskforce to helping establish our highly acclaimed Packaging from Nature communications campaign. We are confident that he will represent the whole wood-based sector with the same enthusiasm to achieve the same constructive results as for FEFPEB.”

Marc Michielsen commented: “I am delighted to take on the Chairmanship of CEI-Bois, which performs essential work to represent the forest-based sector at the governmental and institutional level within Europe.

“During my two years already spent as a member of the Board of Directors of CEI-Bois, I have learned a great deal about the wide range of Europe’s wood working industries. I believe that nurturing the spirit of collaboration between the associations representing these trades – both country- and EU-wide – will benefit all of our businesses. I am very much looking forward to representing these sectors and the forests that support them in the future.”