Orlando, FL – As a leader in supply chain resiliency with the nation’s first and only all-plastic pallet pooling system, iGPS is proud to recognize September as National Preparedness Month. National Preparedness Month is an annual observance dedicated to encouraging individuals, businesses, and communities to prepare for emergencies and disasters that could happen at any time. In support of this concerted national effort, iGPS is excited to announce a company donation program that doubles the impact of employee contributions to preparedness or resiliency causes. As part of the program, iGPS will make an initial direct donation and match employee donations up to $25,000 to the American Red Cross or any related 501 (c)(3) organization of their choosing. This initiative underscores iGPS’s ongoing commitment to national preparedness and its passion for supporting communities.

Natural disasters can quickly disrupt the supply chain and impact access to essential goods that people, families and businesses rely on. This risk has escalated in recent years, as more frequent and powerful natural disasters and weather emergencies have underscored the urgent need for preparedness and resiliency efforts across the supply chain. The urgency is clear today as Hurricane Erin recently threatened communities and businesses on the east coast.

Catastrophic weather events are predicted to disrupt 20 million businesses globally in 2025. These can include hurricanes, floods, wildfires and more, and each weather event poses a unique risk that requires appropriate preparedness planning. We encourage our business partners to assess vulnerabilities and seek to incorporate a resiliency mindset when reviewing their supply chain and warehouse operations in September. 

“Natural disasters are a real and reoccurring disruptor across supply chain operations says Jeff Pepperworth, President and CEO of IGPS Logistics. Businesses must have resilient strategies in place to prepare for and adapt to these disruptions. Our nationwide network of depots allows us to quickly deliver pallets, often within hours, and scale up to meet demand. This is critical for keeping supply chains moving when disaster strikes."

When preparing for a natural disaster, implementing iGPS plastic pallets with RFID and GPS technology (at the shipment level) can also significantly improve a business's ability to track and manage its inventory. Before a disaster, businesses can use this technology to perform rapid, accurate audits of their stock. This allows them to quickly identify and prioritize essential inventory for relocation to safer areas. For example, a company can scan pallets as they are loaded onto trucks for evacuation, ensuring no critical shipments are left behind. 

After a disaster, the ability to quickly assess the situation is crucial. Automated readers in warehouses can track pallets as they are moved or recovered, providing more insight into accurate inventory count. This helps businesses quickly determine which goods are salvageable and what needs to be replaced, accelerating the recovery process. This is particularly valuable in chaotic post-disaster environments where traditional inventory methods would be difficult to implement.

As a new month of National Preparedness begins, iGPS is proud to support the American Red Cross or any other disaster relief organizations our employees choose through our donation match program. This commitment goes beyond a financial contribution—it’s a testament to the crucial role of resilient supply chains in disaster relief.