Pallet manufacturer SA-BE International, Inc., is going green by producing an environmentally friendly shipping pallet that promises to be more durable than conventional wooden or plastic products.

SA-BE is owned by Sam Ross, who founded the Fantastic Sam's hair cutting franchise in Memphis more than 30 years ago. The company is preparing to begin production of the new pallets early next year.

Ross, who bought his first barber shop for $10,000 and grew Fantastic Sam's to 1,372 locations in five countries, says he got involved with SA-BE in 1972 after a business partner told him about the profit to be made in pallets.

"He said he needed $40,000 to get started and that the pallet business had big profits and fewer headaches," Ross says.