ERIN EDGEMON, Business Editor
Posted: Sunday, May 10, 2009 7:01 am

Bill Clark, president of ITNOLAP (In the Name of Love and Peace) Pallet & Crating, says the “the name of love and peace is Jesus.”

And just like Jesus died on the cross Good Friday to rise again, his company will do the same.

“We are looking forward to it rising again just like he did,” Clark said.

Much of Clark’s wooden pallet and crate remanufacturing facility was destroyed in the Good Friday Tornado April 10.

ITNOLAP is one of the Nashville area’s largest pallet and crate manufacturing/remanufacturing facilities. It provides pallets and crates to many manufacturing facilities and distributors in the area.

Clark, who bought the company in 2003 from founder Warren Rather, estimates he lost approximately $500,000 worth of pallet reconditioning equipment and machinery during the storm, and about 60 percent of his losses will be covered by insurance. ITNOLAP lost 20 trailers and six trucks in the fierce EF-4 tornado.

“It is painful, but it is OK,” he said while remaining positive about the loss, largely due to the outpouring of support he has received from competitors, customers and church members.

“You can’t buy stuff like that,” Clark added later. “I have been touched by the people we consider competitors.”

Some of ITNOLAP’s competitors called the Monday after the storm to offer assistance in getting out their orders, even billing clients under ITNOLAP’s name.

ITNOLAP’s manufacturing facility was condemned by the city of Murfreesboro. Swanson Development owns the building, which cannot be rebuilt on site at 2111 N. Thompson Lane.

“We are going to have to find a new home,” Clark said.

Clark said he hopes to have a new location secured within the next month.

“My hope is that we will stay in Murfreesboro,” he said.

Clark is just thankful that the facility was closed Good Friday.

As he talks about the amount of debris and destruction created by the storm, Clark doesn’t think he and his staff of 25 would have made it out unscathed or even with their lives.

“Thank goodness we decided to take Good Friday off,” he said.

Pallets were covering every inch of ground, trucks and trailers had flown dozens of feet and were overturned and the facility partially collapsed.

“When I walked on the site, all I could say was wow,” said James Butler, general manager.

Facility workers spent the following weeks picking up the debris and setting up a makeshift operation area under the open air.

“We have a very limited operation up now,” Clark said.

But due to the economy, even prior to the storm, business was down to about half of last year’s volumes, he said. Employees were cut from 45 to the current 25.

No matter what though, Clark said ITNOLAP will go on.

“I am confident that God has a plan for this event and he will use it for good,” he said.

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.