Unless you’re in the business of shipping giant jenga towers, your pallets need to be securely wrapped before they can go anywhere. That means you need something to wrap them with, and whatever you use needs to be up to the task.
Different businesses all have different setups, but we’re confident that no matter how you work, we’ve got something that will help you do the job right every time. So without further ado, let’s look at the options available.
Doing Things By Hand
This is where most businesses are going to start their shipping operations. The up front costs are quite low, and if you’re only shipping a small amount you won’t mind much that it’s slower.
So what do you need to wrap pallets by hand? Well obviously the first thing you’ll need is something to wrap them in.
We recommend this Hand Stretch Film (clear), or there’s a version in black if you prefer. The rolls are 500mm wide and 300 metres long, and come in a pack of four. It may only be a few microns thick, but don’t be mistaken, this is strong stuff, highly resistant to tearing or puncturing. That strength means you can do more with less, saving you money and reducing the amount of plastic waste your business generates.
Now you could try to apply this purely by hand, but we wouldn’t recommend it. It’s much easier to grab yourself one of these dispensers. Load the roll onto the dispenser, walk it around the pallet, and you’re ready to ship it out.
It couldn’t be easier, or could it?
Making Use of Mechanical Assistance
If your business has grown and you’re finding that doing everything by hand is no longer possible, it’s time to invest in some mechanical assistance. There are plenty of options to suit how you work, so let’s run through them.
First is the OR-500 Turntable, which is still pretty close to hand wrapping. The big difference is that the turntable does all the walking for you, all you have to do is operate the hand dispenser.
If flexibility is your number one priority, or you’re just looking to get your step count up, the OR-100MW Mobile Stretch Wrapping Machine is what you’re looking for. Using only friction, no electricals, the machine raises and lowers the wrapping as you circle the pallet. The result is mechanical precision without needing a power source or a dedicated space.
If you’re looking for a truly mechanised solution though, you want a Semi-Auto Stretch Wrapping Machine, either the OR-1000 or the OR-3000. Both are fantastic machines that will make your life significantly easier. For more on how great these are, check out our previous blog on the OR-1000.
Of course some of these mechanical solutions are going to need a different film than your hand dispenser. We have rolls of machine stretch film that are just as amazing as their hand stretch counterparts.
If you’re unsure which is the right film for you and your work setup, you can get in touch anytime and we’ll be happy to help you find what you need.
Doing a job right means starting with the right tools and materials, so don’t mess about, set yourself up for success.