Pallet wrapping machines are a valuable addition to any shipping operation. From small specialty warehouses to large packaging operations, these machines help save time, money, and labor costs.
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If you&#;re in the market for a stretch wrapper, you might wonder how much they cost and what exact returns you&#;ll get on your investment. Read on to learn more about pallet wrapper pricing and the various cost savings you can expect.
The initial cost of semi-automatic pallet stretch wrappers can range anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000. Automatic Pallet Wrapping machines can be considerably more expensive.
However, keep in mind that the initial upfront cost is offset tremendously by the film and manual labor cost savings over the machine&#;s lifetime compared to wrapping pallets by hand. The more features a machine has, the greater the cost savings.
For example, if you just purchase a turntable, your workers will still need to perform the time-consuming task of holding the stretch wrap roll and manually moving it up and down until complete. This can lead to stretch wrap waste, spilled loads, and improperly wrapped pallets due to human error and fatigue.
However, if you purchase a semi-automatic turntable wrapper, the machine might come with a &#;power pre-stretch&#; feature that significantly reduces stretch wrap waste and decreases the amount of labor required.
A fully automatic stretch wrapping machine will wrap, stretch, and in some instances, perform a perfect cut and seal at the end of the cycle. This further helps cut down on labor and human error.
There are several different types of pallet wrapping machines, each offering various features and benefits.
Primary level &#; The person wrapping the pallet by hand is everything &#; you are the turntable, the mast, and the carriage. This scenario is fine for shipping 1-2 pallets per week. However, the greater the number of pallets shipped, the greater the stretch wrap and manual labor cost.
Next level &#; The next level up from manually wrapping pallets without any machine assistance is buying a turntable. This eliminates the need to physically walk around the pallet and decreases the amount of time it takes to wrap.
The level beyond that is a turntable with a non-powered mast. At this point, you are still the mast (you have to move the film up and down by hand). A turntable with a powered mast will eliminate the manual up and down movement. However, it does not come with a photo-eye, which helps determine when to stop the wrapping process at the top of the load.
Average cost: $3,000
Semi-Automatic &#; Semi-automatic turntable wrapper machines offer far more value than the two previously mentioned levels. Depending on the model you select, it provides:
Average cost: $5,000 &#; $20,000+
Fully-Automatic &#; These types of pallet wrappers are ideal for shipping and packaging operations that need to wrap hundreds of pallets per day while reducing film and labor costs.
Depending on the model you select, fully automatic pallet wrappers convey the following benefits:
Depending on the model you select, there are several different optional accessories, such as:
Scale &#; An optional scale helps cut down on freight overage charges by providing an exact weight.
Average cost: $5,000
Pallet Wrapper Ramp &#; Allows an electric manual-powered pallet jack to more efficiently move a load onto a pallet wrapping machine.
Average cost: $400 &#; $1,500 &#; Depending on how big a ramp you require.
Label Printers &#; When used in conjunction with a scale, a label printer creates an easy-to-apply 4&#; sticker that shows the weight and a date/time stamp. If the cost of a stand-alone printer seems high, Handle It can also integrate the scale into the machine, calibrate it, program, and configure/program the printer. This allows for a true plug-and-play situation with no further intervention on the part of the end-user.
Average cost: $1,000
Extensions Extended Frame with Larger Turntables &#; Some oversized loads will not fit on a standard turntable. An enclosed frame with a larger turntable provides a bigger footprint for wrapping larger pallets.
Average cost for an extension: $1,000
Average cost for an extended frame and larger turntables: $3,500 &#; $4,000
Now that you know the approximate initial cost of a semi or fully automatic pallet wrapping machine, it&#;s time to look at the cost savings they can provide. The below table shows the approximate labor cost savings per year when using a stretch wrap machine versus wrapping pallets by hand.*
Pallets Wrapped Per Day
Annual Labor Cost Savings vs. Hand Wrapping
10
$1,300
20
$2,600
30
$3,900
40
$5,200
50
$6,500
*Based on an average of 4 mins to hand wrap vs. 2 minutes to attach the film and cycle the machine at a $15/hr wage range.
Are you interested in learning more about Pallet strapping automation? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
If the cost of buying a new pallet wrapping machine is a concern, there are some companies out there who sell refurbished or used ones. While the initial price may be a bit lower, several factors could cause the total cost of ownership to rise above the overall cost of a new machine:
While pallet wrapping machines offer increased savings and convenience over the traditional method of wrapping by hand, there are many different models with varying features.
If you have any questions, give us a call at 800-236- or reach out to us via the link below. One of our knowledgeable product experts will help you determine the best machine for your packaging and shipping needs.
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You have countless options for bundling and strapping your packages and pallets today, but which are the most affordable? While there are many good options, unfortunately there are a lot of variables a buyer must consider. Often, two options are hard to compare because they are not an apples-to-apples comparison. For example, the size, shape, and weight of your load will affect your strapping decision. The nature of your operation&#;low volume, high volume, or something in between&#;greatly affects your needs, as well. The good news is that your solution is out there. Read on for a better idea of which is the most affordable.
How Quality Affects Costs for Strapping Tools and Seals
Quality plays a big role in the cost of strapping tools and seals. This is likely not a big surprise, but the effect is significant. And it is especially true of strapping tools. Heavy-duty tools&#;even manual ones like sealers and tensioners&#;carry a premium price. On the upside, those tools are made to last, and you could potentially save money on replacements. Cheap tools can seem attractive from a budget perspective, but they are rarely a wise move in the long run.
The same math applies to seals and buckles&#;higher quality demands a higher price. As most shippers know, this is not an area where you want to experiment with unproven products. Strapping materials need to be reliable, and often these materials cost more than their lower-quality counterparts. Fortunately, there are ways to limit your costs on seals and buckles. We&#;ll get to that in a minute.
Another factor that affects cost is the origin of your tools and materials. Many tools, seals, and buckles are still manufactured in the United States, and those will often come with a higher price tag. However, in general, those products are of higher quality than their foreign-made equivalents. The current trend in re-shoring&#;as opposed to the previous manufacturing trend of offshoring&#;might improve the landscape for domestic manufacturing even further. That would be good news for quality, and it also might lead to slightly lower prices for domestically made goods, as well.
Cost Considerations for Manual vs. Automatic Strapping
The debate between manual versus automatic strapping comes down to your application. As you might guess, there are major cost implications involved with the outcome of this debate.
If your operation is strapping fewer than 20 or so loads per day, then using manual methods might be best. Investing in strapping machines and spending the time to train everyone on them might not be worth it, at that level of production. Plus, it&#;s very nice to be able to put away your (manual) tools when they&#;re not in use.
However, if your operation is strapping more than 20 or 25 loads on a daily basis, it might be time to go automatic. At this volume, users who implement automatic strapping report being very pleased with their tools and methods. They enjoy high levels of productivity and cost efficiency. Strapping happens very fast and can be done at the touch of a button. Furthermore, automatic strapping doesn&#;t just save time, it also ends up saving on materials and seals because there is less user error.
When is automatic strapping worth the cost?
The cost of manual versus automatic strapping comes down to your volume. Manual strapping is obviously much cheaper than automatic strapping if you have a low-volume operation. The tools are a fraction of the price of automatic ones. While you might use more seals or buckles than you need, your overall costs will be lower.
Automatic strapping becomes cost effective, however, if your operation is handling a large number of packages and loads on a regular basis. The initial cost is higher, but the return on investment is substantial. Your productivity will skyrocket, and strapping will no longer be a burdensome part of your operation.
A caveat: automatic strapping tools are not well suited for especially wet or dirty applications. Moisture and dirt can lead to rust and possible malfunction of the equipment. In those situations, it might be wise to stick to manual tools.
How can you manage the costs of strapping tools, seals, and buckles?
Fortunately, there are ways to control your strapping tool and materials expenses. Here are the top tips:
Buy in bulk. The easiest way to save money on strapping costs is to purchase materials in volume. Buying in bulk will likely earn you a discount, and it will also limit the shipping costs of your order. It&#;s possible you will save enough money by doing this that you can afford a higher quality seal or buckle.
Think about your application. If your operation only handles a few or a dozen loads per day, you might be able to get by with manual strapping tools and modest-sized orders of seals. On the other hand, if your operation is a high-volume one, then automatic strapping tools are likely a wise investment.
Think of the long term. If you are relatively certain that you will be sending packages and shipments for years to come, then it is wise to spend money on quality tools and materials. The best tools will last for years and let you avoid the costs of replacements, and the best seals and buckles will work well the first time and prevent waste.
Finding the Best Value on Strapping Tools and Seals
Unsure of whether manual or automatic strapping tools are right for your operation? A good supplier has the expertise to walk you through the options based on your application. In the end, working with a partner like this will help you avoid unneeded costs. Benchmark&#;s experts can present a range of options and make a suggestion based on your operation and your budget.
Looking for some advice on which strapping products are best for your needs? Talk to one of our product experts.
Want more information on automatic pallet strapping machine price? Feel free to contact us.