20 March, 2026
At PGS Group, we believe innovation is a key driver of sustainable growth. In a sector that is constantly evolving, our ambition is not only to adapt to change, but to actively shape it. That is why “Lead by Innovation” is one of the three strategic pillars of our group, alongside Growing a Sustainable Business and Sustainability.
For us, innovation goes beyond technology. It includes improving products, optimizing processes, developing new services, and exploring smarter ways of working. By placing innovation at the heart of our strategy, we aim to build an organization that is efficient, agile, and ready for the future.
Innovation in six dimensions
To structure innovation across the group, PGS Group focuses on six complementary dimensions.
1. Product innovation
Developing new pallet solutions or improving existing products to better meet customer needs.
Example: our eco-designed pallets. PGS Group designs pallets using eco-design principles that optimize material use while maintaining all product requirements such as quality, safety and performance. By avoiding over-engineering and using recycled components where possible, these pallets improve resource efficiency and reduce the use of virgin materials.
2. Process innovation
Optimizing operational processes to increase efficiency, quality and safety.
Example: installing new paint cabins to improve productivity and consistency. They reduce paint consumption by 50–65%, use six times less energy, and enable fast colour changes thanks to a self-cleaning system. In addition, they contribute to cleaner air and improved working conditions for employees.
3. Business model innovation
Creating new ways of delivering value to customers.
Example: developing circular pallet services and pooling solutions. Through pooling and relocation solutions, pallets can be reused multiple times over several years, reducing the need for new production and lowering raw material use, waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Organizational innovation
Improving collaboration, knowledge sharing and operational coordination between sites.
Example: instead of having a single lead for all innovation initiatives across the group, PGS Group has appointed four Innovation Leaders, each focusing on a specific business area: raw materials, new pallets, reconditioned pallets, and sawmilling. This structure accelerates development and ensures that innovation efforts remain closely aligned with the operational priorities of each activity.
5. Service innovation
Expanding and improving the services we offer to support customers throughout their logistics operations.
Example: with REVERSE+, PGS Group provides a full-service management solution for customers’ logistics parks, taking care of the optimization, relocation and maintenance of pallets and specific packaging.
6. Technological innovation
Adopting new technologies such as automation, digital tools and data-driven solutions.
Example: we use drones to monitor and count log inventories at our sawmills, allowing us to track stock levels more efficiently and accurately.
The PGS Group innovation pipeline
To manage innovation in a structured way, PGS Group has developed an internal innovation pipeline.
1) Brainstorm phase
Ideas from across the organization are collected and evaluated based on their feasibility, potential impact and alignment with our strategy. Employees are encouraged to contribute ideas, ensuring that innovation is driven by operational expertise and practical experience.
2) Testing phase
Promising ideas are then tested through pilot projects at one of our sites. This allows us to evaluate the innovation in real operating conditions, identify possible improvements, and analyse the added value it creates.
3) Roll-out phase
If the pilot proves successful, the solution is scaled and rolled out more broadly across the group. Depending on the complexity, investment level and strategic importance, projects are planned and implemented on a short-, medium- or long-term horizon.
This approach allows PGS Group to continuously develop and prioritize innovations while ensuring that ideas can evolve in a controlled and practical way into concrete improvements across the organization.
By combining practical experience from the field with a structured innovation process, we ensure that new ideas can evolve into concrete solutions that strengthen our operations and create added value for our clients and business partners.
To learn more about the long-term ambitions and strategic direction of PGS Group, consult our Mission & Vision document.