Things to Consider Before Buying a Wrapping Machine

In the last article we discussed whether an automatic pallet wrap machine is worth the investment, and it really is, and it's time for you to make the switch to machine packaging.

But before you buy a pallet wrap machine, you should understand the key cost drivers behind the stretch wrapping. Once you have that, you have the key to finding the right machine. And over time, you can have a machine that costs less and performs well.

Here are the factors you need to consider before you buy a stretch wrap machine.

pallet wrapping machine

1. Damage Costs

The cost of product damage is a hidden cost and one that most people don't notice. In-transit damage due to improper stretch wrapping is actually the biggest cost driver in stretch wrapping. Therefore, wrapping your goods effectively is the best thing anyone can do to reduce the risk of product damage during transit.

2. Labor Costs

Compared to labor, the cost of machines is cheap. In particular, the more automated a stretch wrapping machine is, the less time it takes to operate the machine and the more products the machine wraps in the same amount of time. In the long run, labor costs are greatly reduced.

3. Material Costs

Pre-stretching reduces the costs associated with the film. Film conveying systems with powered pre-stretching can reduce film costs by at least 50% compared to manual winding or using older machines. The potential cost savings by switching to a higher pre-stretch depends on the volume of loads you wrap. If you are a large company that packages hundreds of shipments per day, the savings can be staggering.

4. Maintenance Costs

Most wrappers require very little maintenance in the first few years. In those years, you may have to pay about 2% of the machine's cost. But just like a car, if it is not maintained, the cost of maintenance and repairs will increase as the machine ages. Even a good stretch wrapper needs regular preventive maintenance over its lifetime. This helps minimize any breakdowns and repair costs and keeps the machine running as properly as possible.

5. Initial Costs

When people go to buy a new machine, the first thing they tend to look at is the price tag. But at the end of the day, the price tag isn't that important. In fact, the price has the least impact. When you spread the cost of an automatic stretch wrapper over the thousands of items it packs during its economic life, the machine cost per packaged item is low.

In summary, product damage, labor, and material costs are the biggest costs of pallet wrapping. A machine with features that can ease the burden of the top three cost drivers may cost more initially, but it will likely pay for itself in a relatively short period of time and cost much less to own and operate.

Smart Wasp Intelligent Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. is an industry leader in professional pallet wrapping machines. You can always contact us for some questions about our machines, or for expert advice.