When we first stepped inside Adam Walker’s Born Again Pallets, we were drawn in by the friendly outdoor settings made from recycled pallets. Once we entered the warehouse, we saw an entire space dedicated to this beautiful, rustic furniture with many and varied designs created in this green, recycling-based business.
Little did we know that outdoor pallet furniture was not Adam’s core business at all. It had been a side hustle and one which he was glad he started, as this is what flourished during the COVID-19 shutdowns.
Let’s start at the beginning though.
Adam shared with us how his business started.
He had a broad work history - working in logistics, energy efficiency and in a management role with a gym equipment store.
This last job - the management role, meant working weekends, so he had Wednesdays free. He wanted to do something useful with this day off.
He circled back to a conversation he had with his brother Scott a few months earlier. Scott had asked him about how to get rid of the excess pallets which were building up at his place of employment. It seemed like a waste, and an expense to take these to the dump.
A couple of months later the topic arose again and the pallet issue had still not been solved, so Adam turned up in his ute and began taking home pallets and making 'stuff'.
This was November 2015 and the start of 'the collection'. He began storing pallets in his backyard and then his front yard. Finding out that pallet recycling companies were only interested in a minority of specific pallets for their operations, Adam felt certain that there was a better solution than dumping these unwanted single use pallets.
His neighbours were supportive of this green initiative as was his wife. One year, as a Christmas present, she bought him rental space in an industrial area so he could store and build his pallet supply.
This unique Christmas gift allowed Adam to collect and store more palettes (and for his wife to claim back their yard).
To say he has scaled up is an understatement. The speed at which he has been able to do this has to be seen to be believed. We could not stop taking photos as we walked further inside this massive warehouse and through to outside area with even more pallets.
From his initial backyard operations in 2015, to where he is now, has only been 4 and a half years. The photos themselves tell the story of how quickly this business has grown.
It became clear that a huge strength which Adam leaned into was his logistics background. A sense of order, process, costings, efficiencies and continuous improvement is a part of his thinking and daily operations.
For example, he has a policy of 'least effort for biggest impact'. If a pallet could be fixed, it would be. Only at the very end of the line of ‘repurposing’ options, where the quality is below any practical use, are pallets sold for shredding and mulch.
Core business & COVID-19
The core business for Born Again Pallets is reproducing “new” custom pallets from the unwanted pallets which are delivered to the facility in the thousands weekly. Also repairing and reselling are a big part of the core workings. Previously customers wanting specific custom pallets or pallets in high volumes were forced to purchase new pallets but now at Born Again Pallets they can meet their needs, whilst saving money and the environment. Last financial year Born Again Pallets saved over 10,000 trees from felling and are on track for 20,000+ trees saved this year.
With COVID-19, this industry all but shut down, as did majority of the revenue from this income stream.
It was lucky that he had already started on a ‘retail, direct to the public’ project with the recycled furniture and DIY materials. It was a project his brother Scott wanted to get involved in. Adam explained that the pallet timber gets categorised into various grades. They had enough furniture grade quality to start building fantastic pieces for inside the home as well as an outdoor furniture range.
With the shutdowns, suddenly people were staying at home and starting home improvement projects. He has had people streaming through the doors. The retail area of the facility is now a showroom and people can come in and make specific orders.
The influx of retail clients for Adam’s furniture and DIY materials range is what has made a huge difference in keeping afloat during COVID-19. He could never have predicted how quickly circumstances changed.
Prior to COVID-19, Adam had 20 full time staff, and while it was difficult having to let two employees go, he has managed to keep 18 of the 20 employed. JobKeeper was crucial in helping retain these staff as did the popularity of this furniture range.
Collaboration - locally and abroad
Adam has many examples of how collaboration has helped his business.
He has relationships with many overseas businesses. This has resulted in access to machines and software which have made his operation more efficient and profitable. America, China and Spain are some of the countries he has close contacts in. He has also shared his knowledge and helped industry colleagues which helped in their local contexts. The collaboration works both ways.
Always exploring opportunities
Adam is continuously exploring new opportunities which align with his business direction and brand values.
He now purchases and stocks second hand pickets which retail at under half the cost of what brand new ones would sell for in the larger stores. He loves it when things get reused and don't end up at the dump as landfill.
As another example, Adam found that many businesses were spending a lot of money on dumping fees. He has been able to help them out by taking those 'waste' products off their hands, finding ways to re-use and re-sell them. It has been a huge win - win, so much so that both parties feel they are getting the better deal. What’s not to love about that!
We also spotted a large 14 metre long greenhouse made from recycled pallets.
At this point we were not sure how Adam had been able to find any spare time for another side project. But he has a vision of a little nursery going hand in hand with the outdoor furniture. Then there's talk of a weekend cafe; who knows what's next?
Learning and tips
Every challenge that comes his way he faces head on, solves and moves onto the next thing.
Early on when his operations were expanding rapidly, Adam underestimated the impact an increasing number of trucks would have on neighbouring businesses. He ensured he took on board the concerns of his neighbours.
Deliveries now occur in a way which minimise impact on others in the street.
When we asked for a final word of advice to other business owners he said –
“Learn fast, personally research everything, implement, and work really really hard”.
There is no doubt that it is exactly that which has helped him achieved so much over such a short space of time.
Full circle
Since we saw Adam just over a month ago, he finished a new workshop is now working on a new core range of pallet furniture.
He feels he is getting back to his roots, having the 'core' business now run smoothly without much of his involvement.
In a somewhat strange way - this may not have happened so quickly if the pandemic had not imposed such a sudden change of focus.
Adam has recently accessed our Business Support Program to review his market entry strategies and improve his existing digital marketing.
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Urszula Richards
Business Marketing Advisor - Urban Projects
E: urichards@charlessturt.sa.gov.au