Faisal Ur Rehman
Verified
(He/Him)
As seen in:
Packaging Revolution,
The Supply Chain Xchange
Covers:
I cover packaging, pallets, reusable packaging, material handling, forklifts, warehousing automation, supply chain trends, and forklift safety and regulations, including OSHA standards.
Faisal Ur Rehman is Content Editor at Reusable Packaging News and Forklift News. With over 6 years of hands-on experience in the packaging industry, he has work
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
My first job as a journalist was with Packaging Revolution (Reusable Packaging News), where I started out covering pallets, reusable packaging, and supply chain trends under the mentorship of Rick LeBlanc. That experience gave me a strong foundation in data-driven industry reporting, and it led me to expand into covering material handling for Forklift News as well. Starting there shaped how I approach journalism today, grounding every story in solid data while keeping it useful and accessible for readers in the industry."
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Nope
How is social media changing news?
Social media has made news faster and more accessible, but it has also changed how readers expect information to be delivered. In my field, industry professionals now often see market shifts, like a shift in pallet prices or a new supply chain disruption, referenced on LinkedIn or Twitter before a full analysis is published. This has pushed journalists like myself to balance speed with depth: giving readers quick, credible updates while still doing the deeper research needed to explain why something is happening, not just that it happened. Social media has also opened up direct conversations with readers, letting me understand what questions and concerns matter most to the people actually working in the pallet and material handling industries, which shapes the stories I choose to pursue.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
My favorite fictional journalist is Clark Kent. Even though he covers very different stories than I do, what I admire is his persistence and his instinct to always dig deeper than the surface-level narrative. In an industry like supply chain and pallet manufacturing, the real story is rarely obvious. It is often buried in data, market trends, and operational details that most people overlook. That same drive to look past the obvious and find what actually matters to readers is something I try to bring to my own reporting.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To me, being a journalist means taking complex, often overlooked information and turning it into something people can actually use. In an industry like supply chain and pallet manufacturing, the real story is rarely on the surface. It means digging through data, staying curious, and being genuinely accurate, since the professionals reading my work rely on it to make real decisions. It also means never losing sight of the people behind the numbers, whether that's a supplier managing rising costs or a warehouse worker affected by labor shortages. Ultimately, being a journalist means earning trust through honest, useful reporting, and that is something Rick LeBlanc modeled for me from the very beginning.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
no
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer concise, personalized email pitches that are relevant to my coverage areas. A strong pitch clearly explains why the story matters, provides credible sources or data, and highlights its value to readers. Generic mass emails and unrelated pitches are much less likely to receive a response.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I rely on a mix of research and publishing tools to do my job well. For data and market trends, I regularly use sources like FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data), DAT Trendlines, and industry reports from firms like Deloitte to ground my reporting in accurate, current numbers. For Forklift News specifically, I use OSHA as a credible source for safety insights and regulatory data. For writing and editing, I use Google Docs for drafting and collaboration, and WordPress for publishing on Reusable Packaging News and Forklift News. I also use Google Sheets for organizing and tracking data across multiple sources, and tools like Grammarly for polishing my writing before it goes live. For staying on top of industry news, I follow trade publications, government data releases, and company press releases closely, since accuracy and timeliness matter a lot in supply chain journalism.
What's your favorite social network?
My favorite social network is LinkedIn. It's where I connect with industry professionals, follow supply chain and packaging trends, and get a sense of what topics matter most to the people I write for. I also manage and post on the social pages for Reusable Packaging News and Forklift Revolution News, which lets me share our latest stories directly with the industry and have real conversations with readers and sources. Those interactions often shape the stories I decide to pursue next.
Who do you wish followed you?
I would love to be followed by more executives and decision makers in the pallet, packaging, and material handling industries, such as supply chain directors, procurement leaders, and operations managers. These are the people making real decisions based on pricing trends, labor shortages, and market shifts, and I want my reporting to be a resource they actually rely on when planning their strategy
Why did you become a journalist?
I became a journalist because of Rick LeBlanc. Working alongside him at Reusable Packaging News, I saw firsthand what it means to be a true expert in a field — Rick has spent more than 30 years covering forklifts, pallets, and material handling, serves as an Advisory Board Member at the Virginia Tech Center for Unit Load Design, and co-authored two published books on the history of pallets and material handling. His mentorship showed me that journalism isn't just about reporting facts; it's about translating complex, data-heavy industries into stories that help real people make better decisions. That combination of deep expertise and genuine usefulness is what pulled me into this field, and it's what I try to bring to every story I write.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
no
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I'm proud of my piece 'Navigating Pallet Price Trends for 2023' for Reusable Packaging News. After the extreme price spikes of 2022, I wanted to help buyers and suppliers make sense of a rapidly shifting market — tracking lumber costs, labor shortages, transportation rates, and broader economic signals to explain why prices were softening but still remained above pre-pandemic levels. It required pulling together data from multiple sources — FRED, DAT, Cass, and Deloitte — into a clear, practical narrative readers could actually use to plan their pallet strategy. The analysis was later cited by Forbes in a piece on supply chain visibility, which was a nice confirmation that the reporting held up as a trusted data point beyond our core readership. It's the kind of story I enjoy most: dense, data-driven, but written so a busy supply chain professional can walk away with real, actionable insight.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Find a mentor who genuinely knows the industry you want to cover, and pay attention to how they think, not just what they write. Working with Rick LeBlanc taught me that good journalism in a specialized field comes from combining real subject matter expertise with a commitment to making complex information useful for readers. Beyond that, learn to trust credible data sources and primary research over assumptions. Whether it is government data, industry reports, or firsthand interviews, grounding your reporting in solid evidence builds the kind of trust that keeps readers coming back. And do not be afraid to specialize. Becoming known for deep knowledge in a specific beat can open more doors than trying to cover everything at a surface level.
When's the best time to pitch you?
The best time to pitch me is early in the week, ideally Tuesday through Thursday mornings. I am usually deep into writing and editing by midweek, so reaching out early gives me time to review your pitch and follow up if it fits an upcoming story. I would recommend avoiding late Friday afternoons, since pitches sent then often get lost heading into the weekend.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The best pitch I ever got was from a source who did not just want to talk about their product. They came prepared with real data on how automation was changing pallet handling in their warehouse, along with specific numbers on cost savings and labor impact. It stood out because it was not just a sales pitch. It gave me a genuine story with useful insights for readers in the supply chain and material handling space, which is exactly the kind of pitch I love to receive.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
A mass email that used the wrong name and pitched a completely unrelated topic. It was a reminder that personalization and relevance matter far more than sending the same message to hundreds of people.
What's your favorite drink?
My favorite drink is a strong cup of coffee. It's part of my morning routine and honestly what gets me through long days of research and writing.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
When I'm not at a computer, you'll most likely find me traveling to the mountains. I love getting away from the screen and exploring new places, whether that's a scenic trail or a town I've never been to before. There's something about being out in nature that resets my perspective and, honestly, often sparks new ideas for stories when I get back to work.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Packaging Digest – packaging industry specifically
Supply Chain Dive – broader supply chain strategy news
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
The most common misperception about my beat is that pallets and material handling are simple, low-stakes topics that do not require much analysis. In reality, pallet pricing alone is influenced by lumber costs, labor shortages, transportation rates, and broader economic trends, all of which shift constantly. What looks like a basic piece of equipment is actually deeply tied to the health of the entire supply chain. People often do not realize how much strategic thinking companies put into pallet management until they read about how a shortage or a price swing can ripple through their operations.
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