Tuesday, August 5, 2025
In the woodworking industry, managing wood waste can be an operational headache. For many businesses, wood waste disposal costs begin to spiral as operations grow. The good news? These costs can be turned into profits with the right equipment. Reardon Pallet Co., based in Fairfax, Kansas, is a prime example of this transformation.
For years, Reardon Pallet Co. outsourced its wood waste disposal to third-party processors. However, as the business grew, so did the volume of wood waste. What was once a manageable expense quickly became a significant financial burden.
Dan Reardon Jr., president of Reardon Pallet Co., recalls, “We were spending a small fortune processing our waste. This partnership worked well for a long time, but our volume got to the point that we knew we needed to do this in-house.”
It became clear that a more sustainable, cost-effective solution was needed.
Reardon Pallet Co. turned to Boulware Equipment, which recommended Cresswood’s American-made industrial shredders. The decision to bring wood waste processing in-house was a game-changer. Reardon Pallet Co. found the ideal solution for their growing waste challenge.
“We worked with Brad Boulware to find a solution for our grinding challenge. He was really easy to work with and knew how to help us find the right solution,” Reardon said.
Cresswood’s pallet recycling shredders featured an enclosed, interior-mounted system, which provided a significant operational advantage over traditional exterior grinding systems. This system was more compact, efficient, and less disruptive to the environment.
The Cresswood installation involved a unique, streamlined process. Waste was loaded into self-dumping hoppers using forklifts and sent through a chute directly into the grinding system. The material was then conveyed and blown into a walking-floor trailer, ensuring a completely contained, efficient process.
The new system was more than just functional. It helped to dramatically reduce the costs associated with hauling and waste management, while also making the entire process cleaner and quieter.
While Reardon Pallet Co.’s success primarily lies in wood recycling, Cresswood offers a wide range of solutions for other types of industrial waste. The company also manufactures shredders designed for plastic and paper waste streams, providing versatile recycling options.
Cresswood’s solutions extend to plastic recycling pre-shredders and paper recycling shredders, helping manufacturers improve material recovery rates. With Cresswood, Reardon Pallet Co. wasn’t just addressing their wood waste problem; they were also learning about broader material recovery possibilities.
The shift to in-house processing with Cresswood’s grinders paid off faster than expected. “The Cresswood grinder has been terrific. It really changed what we did with our wood waste. We took something that had been an expense for us to get rid of and turned it into a profit center,” Reardon explained.
The return on investment was significant, with the system paying for itself much faster than the initially projected 2.5 to 3-year timeframe. One key advantage was the improved transportation efficiency. The processed material was more compact, allowing for 4-5 times the volume per load. This drastically reduced hauling costs and improved competitiveness.
Aside from financial savings, the Cresswood grinders brought several safety and environmental advantages. Traditional exterior grinders were noisy, dusty, and required a lot of outdoor space. By contrast, the enclosed, low-RPM Cresswood system operated with much less noise and minimized dust, making the facility a cleaner, safer environment for employees.
“Exterior grinders tend to be loud and messy. Dust gets everywhere, and you need a significant amount of yard space to operate them,” Reardon noted. The enclosed system eliminated these issues and reduced the fire risk associated with waste buildup.
Reardon Pallet Co.’s Cresswood grinders have proven durable, with minimal maintenance required even after 18 months of operation. The equipment’s heavy-duty steel construction ensures long-term reliability, even in demanding environments.
“Cresswood is just different technology. It has lower rotation speed per minute, which makes it quieter than exterior grinders,” Reardon observed. The equipment’s robust design has helped Reardon Pallet Co. avoid costly downtime and repairs, further enhancing their bottom line.
Reardon Pallet Co.’s success story showcases how the right waste processing technology can revolutionize business operations. With Cresswood’s industrial grinders, Reardon Pallet Co. was able to reduce costs, increase sustainability, and boost profitability.
As the woodworking industry faces increasing pressure to reduce costs and improve sustainability, Cresswood’s comprehensive waste recycling solutions offer a path forward. Their industrial grinders, like the XR500 and XR600 models, are designed to handle everything from pallet boards to entire pallets, making them a versatile option for businesses looking to improve their waste processing systems.
Ready to transform your wood waste operations into a profit driver? Explore Cresswood’s complete line of industrial shredders and take your business to the next level.
Reardon Pallet Co.’s success in managing wood waste demonstrates the potential of in-house processing with the right equipment. As the woodworking industry looks for ways to improve sustainability and reduce costs, Cresswood’s industrial shredders offer a proven solution. The combination of financial savings, operational efficiency, and environmental responsibility makes these shredders a valuable investment for any pallet manufacturer.
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Tags: Cresswood, Reardon Pallet, shredders, Wood shredders, wood waste, Wood Waste Disposal, wood waste management, Wood waste recycling
