SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — Hinton Lumber Products, a leading national pallet supplier and the largest producer of block pallets in the United States, has opened a new greenfield pallet manufacturing facility in Summerville, South Carolina, part of the greater Charleston region. Pallet production at the facility is slated to begin in spring 2026.

This new operation expands Hinton's national pallet supply network. It adds capacity in one of the fastest-growing areas for industrial and retail distribution. The plant has automated pallet assembly systems. The design also aims to expand in the future to support customer growth.

"This facility is an important milestone in our growth strategy," said Larry Howell, President of Hinton Lumber Products. "It helps us support our long-term customers in the area. It also makes us quicker to respond to market needs."

Strategically located
Charleston was chosen because it has direct access to important interstates. It also has one of the best ports on the East Coast, the Port of Charleston. The location improves freight efficiency for local and national supply chains and also strengthens Hinton's capabilities in export logistics.

The facility is optimized for high-throughput pallet production, including ISPM 15-compliant wood pallets and EU-spec designs required for international shipping. This includes EPAL-certified pallets, a growing category in global logistics.

Hinton is expanding near a major logistics hub. This will assist customers with the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) from the European Union. The regulation starts in August 2026. Hinton is one of the few U.S. manufacturers allowed to make EPAL pallets. They provide compliant, export-ready options that support circular economy goals.

Built for automation and scale
The Charleston plant adds to Hinton's current factories in Houston, Texas, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This improves the company's ability to deliver pallets nationwide. The new facility supports automation-ready pallets, optimized for freight efficiency, multi-trip use, and high-volume logistics.

"We're proud to invest in Charleston and add new capacity to serve high-volume customers," said Hinton Howell, Chief Operating Officer. "This facility reflects our commitment to high-performance pallet solutions and scalable production."

Hinton Lumber Products is a national pallet supplier to Fortune 500 companies in the chemical, retail, and industrial manufacturing sectors. From 48x40 block pallets to custom stringer and CP designs, Hinton provides a wide portfolio of high-quality wood pallets. All are manufactured from kiln-dried Southern Yellow Pine and designed for strength, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.