What You Need to Consider When Buying a Pallet Wrapper

When your business relies on moving good fast, effective supply chain management and the ability to efficiently and securely package products is crucial.

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Pallet wrappers play an indispensable role in this process by ensuring that goods are securely wrapped for storage or transportation, which helps in minimising damage and loss.

The choice of the right pallet wrapper can significantly impact operational efficiency, product safety, and overall cost savings.

In this article, we&#;re going to discuss the things you should think about when you&#;re considering getting a pallet wrapper for your business, including the types of pallet wrappers available and the key features you need to know about.

Understand your wrapping needs

Before diving into buying a pallet wrapper it&#;s important to take a step back and think about why you actually need one and if you do, if there are any special considerations you need to consider. Here are some key things you should think about:

Volume of Packaging

Analysing your current and future packaging needs is essential. If your business is growing, investing in a more advanced wrapper that can handle increased volume without significant upgrades may be prudent. If you&#;re under pressure with your current load, is a new pallet wrapper going to solve that problem and/or potentially increase your capacity?

Being aware of the number of pallets you&#;re wrapping on average in a day, week and/or month, can also offer guidance in terms of the type of machine that&#;s right for your needs.

Product Characteristics

Consider the variety of products you handle. Different products may require different types of film, wrapping patterns, and tension settings. For instance, fragile items need a wrapper that can apply film gently yet securely, or oversized, awkwardly shaped, or sharp products may need a stronger film.

To help you further understand your wrapping needs, we have a list of questions we ask all of our customers to help find the right pallet wrapper for them. You can read these here.

What are the different types of pallet wrappers?

There are different types of pallet wrappers that can suit various needs &#; which is why it&#;s important for you to have an idea of the volume of pallets you&#;re wrapping and the types of goods. Here are the most common types of pallet wrappers:

Manual Wrappers: These are the most basic form, where the operator manually applies the stretch film around the pallet. Ideal for businesses with minimal wrapping needs or as a backup option.

Semi-Automatic Wrappers: These machines typically involve the operator placing the pallet and initiating the wrapping cycle. The machine then applies the film based on preset parameters. They are great for medium-volume packaging and offer a good balance between automation and cost.

Automatic Wrappers: Designed for high efficiency, these wrappers can automatically wrap pallets without operator intervention, once the pallet is placed on the turntable. They often come with advanced features like conveyor systems for pallet loading and unloading, and programmable wrapping patterns. These are ideal for operations with high-volume, repetitive wrapping needs.

Key Features to Consider

In addition to different types of pallet wrappers, there are also a lot of different features that can enhance your wrapping capabilities and even save you money. Here are some of key features that can help improve efficiency and ensure you&#;re running a safe and effective operation:

• Pre-Stretch Capability: Machines with a higher pre-stretch rate (up to 200% or more) can significantly reduce film usage. This not only cuts down on material costs but also is better for the environment.
• Control Options: Consider wrappers with programmable control panels that can store multiple wrapping recipes. This is especially useful if you handle a variety of products with different wrapping requirements.
• Load Capacity and Turntable Size: Ensure the turntable can accommodate the size and weight of your largest pallets. Overloading a pallet wrapper can lead to breakdowns and safety hazards.
• Adjustable Speeds and Film Tension: These features allow for customisation according to the specific load &#; heavier loads might require tighter wraps at a slower pace, for instance.
• Safety Features: Comprehensive safety features, like emergency stop, enabling buttons, warning alarms, and on larger machines, safety fencing are essential to protect operators and other workers.
• Footprint and Layout Compatibility: Assess the space in your facility. Some wrappers can be quite large, so it&#;s crucial to choose a model that fits comfortably in your available space without disrupting other operations.

Maintenance and Durability of Your Wrapper

Like any machine, a pallet wrapper does require some maintenance to ensure it not only lasts a long time but actually maintains high performance too. When buying a pallet wrapper some things you should be aware of include:

Ease of Maintenance: Look for models that are known for their ease of maintenance. Quick access to parts and simple procedures for routine checks can reduce downtime.

Build Quality: The construction material (like steel frames), motor quality, and overall design contribute to the longevity of the machine.

Warranty and Support: A comprehensive warranty and reliable customer support are vital. Inquire about the availability of spare parts and the average response time for service calls.

Financial Factors and Budget Considerations

Pallet wrappers can create efficiencies and make a significant difference in the volume of pallets that you can shift in a day, however, there are costs to consider. Some of the important factors to consider include:

• Initial Purchase vs. Operational Costs: While the initial purchase price is a significant factor, also consider operational costs like film, energy usage, and maintenance. A more expensive model might offer efficiencies that reduce these ongoing costs.
• ROI Analysis: Conduct a return on investment analysis to understand how the pallet wrapper will contribute to cost savings over time.

Are you looking for high quality pallet wrappers in Australia?

Selecting the right pallet wrapper is a strategic decision that can affect multiple facets of your business, from operational efficiency to cost management and product integrity. So, it&#;s important that you get your pallet wrapper and packaging materials from a team that knows what they are doing.

Here at Melbourne Packaging Supplies, we&#;ve been supplying pallet wrappers and packaging solutions to businesses of all sizes Australia-wide for more than 40 years. We can offer guidance, support and of course a range of the highest quality pallet wrappers in Australia. Get in touch with us today by calling 396 835. 

As mounting costs and labor shortages continue to put the squeeze on manufacturing and distribution operations, every piece of equipment has a part to play in getting product out the door quickly and efficiently. Your stretch wrapper is no exception.

Pick the right equipment supplier, and you gain a valuable partner in optimizing your workflow. Make the wrong choice, and you face headaches like mounting inefficiency, increased safety risks, and unpredictable repair and maintenance costs.

In this article, we identify common mistakes to avoid when choosing a stretch wrapper manufacturer and offer some valuable tips and resources to help you make a decision that works for your staff, your customers, and your bottom line.

8 Pitfalls to Avoid when Choosing a Stretch Wrapper Supplier

It&#;s easy to underestimate the role a stretch wrapper plays in any manufacturing or warehousing operation. But in fact, it&#;s a critical part of your commitment to handling safety and efficiency.

Whether you&#;re installing your first wrapper or replacing an existing unit, there&#;s a lot to think about. Here are eight common mistakes end users make when selecting a wrapping machine supplier to provide their equipment. 

1. Not Taking Safety Seriously

Expecting your staff to move, pivot, and manually wrap pallets is not just a drain on efficiency in any at-scale handling operation&#;it&#;s a safety risk. 

While investing in an automated or semi-automated pallet wrapper may seem like a major expense, it doesn&#;t compare to the human cost of any injury or all the potential costs of a lost-time incident. 

Choose a manufacturer with the professional, rated equipment your employees need to do their jobs quickly and safely.

2. Underestimating Load Capacity

Choosing a machine with insufficient load/throughput capacity can bottleneck your operation and increase safety risks. Skimping on equipment that meets your average rather than maximum pallet size and weight, or failing to plan for future capacity increases, will only cost you in the long run. 

Talk to your equipment supplier about industrial-grade equipment built for both your current and future needs.

Are you interested in learning more about Pallet Wrap Users? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

3. Overlooking Film Efficiency

Film is a significant expenditure, especially at the scale you&#;re dealing with. Work with a supplier who understands your packaging challenges and has film pre-stretch equipment to help get more out of the film you use for your wrapping application. 

The right wrapper machine will help your film&#;and your consumables budget&#;stretch further. In fact, Handle It estimates that stretch equipment lowers film consumption by up to 50%. 

4. Forgetting Your Footprint

Warehouse space is valuable. While a wrapper might help improve throughput, it could also end up costing you if it takes up valuable floor space or disrupts your workflow. Choose an experienced manufacturer who will help you right-size a wrapping solution for your space.

5. Buying Complex and Expensive Proprietary Parts

Many stretch wrapper manufacturers include very expensive and complex proprietary parts on their equipment that can be difficult to replace if they&#;re no longer supported. If you&#;re buying cut-price or used machinery, be sure that components can be sourced from the manufacturer or replaced with off-the-shelf parts.

Better still, invest in quality equipment from a reliable, established manufacturer like Handle It. We believe in affordable yet robust components in our machinery. 

6. Paying for Features You Don&#;t Need

While it&#;s wise to plan for the future, it&#;s easy to get talked into buying advanced features or automations that you will never need for your pallet wrapping application. 

It&#;s best to build a partnership with a reputable manufacturer who will help you match your needs and budget today while being available to help you expand or upgrade in the future as needed. Many low-cost suppliers seek only to upsell you in order to maximize their initial profits.

7. Buying Cut Price or Used Equipment

It can be tempting to try to save money by buying cut-price or used pallet-wrapping equipment, especially if you consider this to be &#;non-specialized&#; equipment.

While you may book some big savings initially, you might be surprised by the time and money required to support your equipment in the absence of a solid warranty, reputable after-sale support network, or readily available parts.

8. Not Checking Lead Times

In today&#;s just-in-time delivery environment, failing to check when your equipment will actually arrive can cost you dearly in terms of missed deadlines, unexpected bottlenecks, or idle production lines. 

Smaller suppliers and unaffiliated dealers will often overestimate their ability to deliver, especially if they are sourcing from foreign-based manufacturers. Choose a manufacturer with the ability to deliver on their promises.

What to Look for in a Stretch Wrapper Manufacturer

It can be tempting to choose cheaper equipment for an &#;end-of-line&#; solution like a stretch wrapper, but choosing the cheapest machine on the market can be costly over time.

It&#;s important to consider the fair market value of the equipment you are investing in. While it&#;s possible to overpay for features or capacity you simply don&#;t need, failing to invest in quality equipment that matches your current and future needs can cost you more down the line. 

Here&#;s what to look for in a stretch wrapper manufacturer who will deliver long-term value and measurable return on investment.

Durability

Reputable stretch wrapper manufacturers like Handle It provide durable equipment designed to withstand the rigors of the toughest shop floors year after year. Our wrapper machines are designed and engineered in Europe and assembled in the U.S. from high-quality components.

Handle It&#;s ISO -certified wrapping machinery is trusted by manufacturers and distributors across the U.S. to wrap and secure even the heaviest and most challenging pallet loads.

Capacity

Stretch wrapper capacity is not just about weight. While you need equipment that can handle your heaviest loads, you also need workflow integration capable of wrapping and moving pallets faster and with fewer hands. 

Handle It offers wrappers with the ability to handle pallet loads of 4,400lb or more and fully integrated solutions able to process up to 100 units per hour. We have the right turntable, rotary arm, and conveyor solutions you need to ensure your pallet wrapping process never holds you back.

Efficiency

You might be surprised how much efficiency the right stretch wrapping solution adds to your process, reducing individual handling time by at least 50% compared to manual wrapping. 

Handle It can help you identify a machine that:

• Increases pallet throughput
• Boosts average pallet capacity
• Reduces film consumption
• Trims labor costs
• Minimizes line downtime

Customization and Accessories

Leading suppliers like Handle It are also capable of delivering customized solutions that unlock even more value from your process. These include (on selected models):

• Integrated variable film power pre-stretch to maximize film coverage
• Automated film cutting to minimize waste
• Integrated scales and label makers
• Extended wrap mast height

For the most advanced warehouses, we also offer our Series Mobile Robotic Stretch Wrap Machine for fully automated wrapping anywhere in your facility.

Handle It also supplies a wide range of accessories including ramps, pallet jacks, and extended frames to assist with moving pallets onto and off wrapping turntables, as well as guard railings and racks to protect your warehouse infrastructure.

Ongoing Costs 

The true benefit of working with a full-service stretch wrapper manufacturer like Handle It lies in the long-term value of the partnership. While our machines are designed to deliver years of trouble-free operation with minimal maintenance, we also offer:

• Quick response, full-time tech support when required
• A wide range of in-stock parts with quick shipment
• Training resources and online troubleshooting videos
• Three-year equipment and parts warranty (depending on model)

Resources

Still unsure if Handle It is the right stretch wrapper manufacturer for you? The following resources may help:

Products. Parts. Reputation. It&#;s a Wrap.

The right stretch wrapping solution can unplug warehouse bottlenecks and release hidden efficiencies and value in your workflow.

At Handle It, we have the high-quality, robust equipment you need as well as the parts, knowledge, and experience to support you for the long term. 

By choosing Handle It as your partner for stretch wrapping solutions, you&#;ll gain:

• Fully automated pallet handling solutions that reduce costs and increase productivity
• Improved load containment, product protection, and safety
• A high-quality stretch wrapping solution that&#;s right-sized to your needs
• Top-notch customer service including technical support, training, and parts

Contact us today to find out how Handle It can help you unlock the value and efficiency of stretch wrap automation.

Contact a Stretch Wrapper Expert

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit China Stretch Film Manufacturer.