Proper Pallet Wrapping: Increasing Efficiency and Driving Down Cost

Packaging is the cornerstone of the modern supply chain. Supply Chain Automation that incorporates proper pallet wrapping can add benefits that range from keeping products safe during transit to ensuring their appeal on the shelf.

The right packaging processes and materials play a crucial role in the success of any business operation.

In particular, pallet wrapping is a linchpin in the logistics and distribution of goods. By wrapping pallets effectively, you can ensure that your products arrive at their end destination with NO DAMAGE.

For warehouse managers and supply chain experts, optimizing the pallet wrapping process is not just about securing goods but also their company’s future in a competitive market.

The Importance of Proper Pallet Wrapping

In the intricate web of supply chain logistics, pallet wrapping might seem like a mundane detail. However, this deceptively simple practice is the first line of defense in protecting your goods as they move from one node in your network to another. Think of pallet wrapping as the armor that defends your valuable products against the many hazards they face — from minor bumps during forklift loading to the rigors of international shipping.

The significance of proper pallet wrapping is often underestimated.

Negligence in this area can lead to various issues, including product damage, load tipping, and wastage — all of which ultimately translate to increased costs and decreased customer satisfaction.

Keep reading to learn more about Morrisette Packaging’s best practices, advanced strategies, and real-world examples of how improving your pallet wrapping process can substantially benefit your business.

The Benefits of Proper Pallet Wrapping

• Protection of Goods During Transit – Quality wrapping is a barrier against dust, moisture, and other contaminants that compromise product integrity. It also protects goods from theft or tampering. 
• Minimization of Product Damage and Loss – Strategically wrapped pallets minimize movement within the load, reducing the risk of product damage or loss during handling and transportation.
• Improved Stability and Load Integrity – Properly wrapped pallets maintain their structural integrity, which is crucial for safe and efficient stacking in the warehouse and preventing tipping.
• Increased Operational Efficiency – Efficient pallet wrapping reduces the time and resources needed for manual checking and re-wrapping, streamlining your overall logistics process.

Best Practices for Pallet Wrapping

Achieving the ideal pallet wrap requires a keen eye for detail and an understanding of the materials and machinery involved.

Here are the key best practices:

• Selecting the Right Wrapping Materials – Choosing the correct type of film — be it stretch, shrink, or strapping — and ensuring the appropriate thickness based on the load can make a significant difference in protection and cost.
• Ensuring Proper Tension and Stretch – Consistency is key to applying proper tension and stretch to the film. Overstretching can lead to film breakage or load instability, while under-stretching compromises the seal, which is why automated pallet wrapping systems are ideal. (See our real-world example below.) Developing consistent methods on stretch wrapping will also allow customers to know just how much inventory of stretch wrap to account for. This will result in optimizing needed materials for proper stretchwrapping.
• Applying Consistent Wrapping Technique – Consistency in the wrapping technique, such as starting and finishing at the same height, creating a proper spiral pattern, and overlapping the film correctly, optimizes load stability. Some customers will manually wrap pallets which can result in Inconsistent wrapping as operators will not wrap the same throughout the day. The wrapping done in the morning will be vastly different than the wrapping done in the afternoon.
• Conducting Regular Equipment Maintenance – An often overlooked but critical aspect is maintaining the wrapping equipment. Regular checks and servicing not only prolong the lifespan of the machinery but also ensure that it operates at peak performance.
• Common Mistakes to Avoid: improper film width, employing inconsistent wrapping techniques and ignoring equipment maintenance can all result in compromised load security and increased risks and costs.

Real World Applications

Greyson Taylor of Morrisette Packaging provides an overview of the Lantech Q300XT.

Say goodbye to wasted time, money, and resources with this innovative solution.

Key Features:

Patented XT Cut and Clamp®: The Q300XT automatically captures stretch film and cuts it at the end of the wrap cycle, saving you precious time.
Labor Savings: With the Q300XT, you can save two minutes of forklift driver labor per load.

No Scheduled Maintenance: That’s right! This machine requires no scheduled preventative maintenance, reducing downtime.

Millions of loads slide off their pallets during shipment each year, costing billions of dollars in rework and waste.

But fear not; the Q300XT comes equipped with patented Pallet Grip technology.

It rolls up a film cable and drives it down onto the pallet, locking the load securely in place and ensuring your load doesn’t budge during transit.

Specifications:

• Production Speed: 30-40 loads per hour
• Maximum Load Diagonal: 69”
• Recommended Maximum Load Height: 80”
• Maximum Load Weight: 4000 lbs.
• Turntable Drive: 3/4 HP TEFC Motor
• Turntable Speed: 1-12 RPM
• Turntable, Smooth Top: 65″
• Film Delivery System: Power-Roller Stretch Plus System
• Wrap Force: Electronically controlled, 200% Standard (100%-300% available)
• Film Capacity: 10” Roll Diameter, 20” Film Web Width.

Conclusion

Ensuring proper pallet wrapping techniques is not merely about crossing a logistical ‘t’ or dotting an operational ‘i’. It’s about guarding your products, reputation, and financial bottom line. By understanding the intricacies of pallet wrapping, companies can move beyond just shipping goods to protecting them and ensuring customer satisfaction. It’s an investment in care, security, and long-term success that every enterprise must prioritize in its supply chain management strategy.

Contact us today to get started with a free consultation on how Morrisette Packaging can help you implement cost-saving solutions today.