Many companies buy a stretch wrapper based on price alone.  Often shopping around for weeks and weeks getting numerous quotes from companies that may or may not be specialists in the industry.  In the end, the company may get a stretch wrapper that works and wraps pallets at a satisfactory level. 

Instead, smart companies go with suppliers that can offer a range of pallet wrappers and make suggestions based on the companies requirements.  More often than not, the right pallet wrapper for a company will not be the cheapest or look the best, but rather one that reduces bottom line costs while increasing productivity and pallet stability.

Leading suppliers in the industry are backed by reliable service technicians, have spare parts for their machines readily available and have representatives that can show customers how to get the most out of their machine.  They would also have a range of quality films to suit these machines and the customers needs. 

One of the most important considerations when buying a stretch wrapper is based on the number of pallets that you wrap.  The following shows what features you should look for on a machine depending on number of pallets wrapped per day;

 1-10 pallets per day: Spend $6,000 - $10,000

At this end of the market you would be looking for a machine where you can program the amount of top and bottom wraps, set the turntable speed and where the wrapper would automatically sense the height of the pallet.  You will be looking at pallet wrappers that have a brake type stretch system where the film is stretched via the pallet pulling the film from the roll.

ITT Jetpak Suggestions:

EXP 308	Siat F0	Siat F1M	Siat F1FM

15-30 pallets per day: Spend $10,000 - $19,000

In this market you should seriously be looking for a pallet wrapper that has a pre-stretch roller system on it which will save you money in the long term (refer table 1.).  This system stretches the film prior to applying it to the pallet.  Using this system you could stretch the film up to 300%, which not only saves you money, but ensures a tighter, more stable load.  You should also be getting a stretch wrapper that has a couple of different programs where you can adjust things like carriage speed, overlap, top sheet and amount of stretch applied. 

ITT Jetpak Suggestions:

EXP 108	Siat F1LP	Siat WSEP

30-100 pallets per day: $20,000 - $35,000

This stretch wrapper would have a pre-stretch roller system that can easily be adjusted as well as a few different program settings for different pallets types.  You should also look for a stretch wrapper that can automatically attach and cut the film from the pallet so all your operator has to do is press a button to start the machine.  This will enable the operator to do another task while the pallet is being wrapped.

ITT Jetpak Suggestions:

EXP 501	Siat WSEP AAAC	Siat RAS/LP

100+ Pallets per day: $70,000 +

This is where you look for a fully automatic wrapping machine that can take your pallet from the end of the production line and automatically wrap it and send it on to be collected.  The main difference in the wrappers is whether the turntable spins or whether the carriage moves around the pallet either on an arm or in a ring which is all dependent on the amount of pallets that are required to be wrapped per hour.

ITT Jetpak Suggestions:

EXP 501A	EXP 202A	Siat RA12

Siat WS47	Siat Mancon

Table 1.
A typical wrap cost analysis is as follows;

Also when deciding on the right pallet wrapper for your needs, please ensure that the machine you purchase has all the relevant certifications and is electrically wired and tested to Australian Standards.

I hope that the above information is useful in helping you choose the right pallet wrapper for your needs. 

If you would like more information on any of the machines mentioned, please feel free to contact us on (03) 9544 9777 or via email at info[at]ittjetpak.com.au .

Paul Holness
Product Manager Consumables