Calculating a Budget for a Stretch Wrapper

by Brett Saunders January 02, 2022 2 min read

Stretch wrapping secures products to the pallet and protects them from scuffing and environmental damage while in transit. It’s an essential step in the packaging process, but it can require hours of difficult physical labor — hours that your workers could spend tackling higher-level tasks. Stretch wrapping machines simplify the stretch wrapping process by wrapping pallets automatically, without input or interaction from workers. As a result, fully automatic stretch wrapping machines are increasingly popular with manufacturers in many industries, including food and beverage, electronics, building products, paper, pharmaceuticals and textiles. Over the long term, an automatic stretch wrapper can save your company a lot of money. Still, you need to ensure the machine’s upfront cost fits within your company’s budget. When you know how much you can expect to pay for a stretch wrapping machine, you can make a more informed purchasing decision. Let’s take a closer look at how much a stretch wrapper costs and how your company could benefit financially.

How Much Does a Stretch Wrapper Cost?

Stretch wrapping machine prices can vary widely depending on the type of machine you are considering. As a result, it’s a good idea to evaluate several different options before making a decision. Some of the factors that influence how much a stretch wrapper costs include:

Level of automation: There are actually two kinds of stretch wrapping machines — automatic and semi-automatic. Semi-automatic machines typically cost less, although they require some interaction from workers. Automatic stretch wrappers cost more, but they provide a bigger boost to efficiency and packaging consistency.
Maximum throughput: Throughput refers to how many pallets a stretch wrapping machine can wrap in a set period of time. Machines with higher throughput cost more, so you will want to estimate your efficiency requirements as closely as possible without overestimating. If you do need a wrapper with high throughput, automatic rotary arm systems often make the best choice.
Installation requirements: Third-party installation is another factor to consider when estimating stretch wrapper price. At Cousins Packaging, we train distributors to perform installation, which helps keep costs low.

The best way to find out how much a custom stretch wrapper will cost is to request a quote. Beware of cheap wrappers from overseas. These often come with proprietary electronics, light-duty components, less film efficiency, and little or no local service.

How Does a Stretch Wrapper Provide a Return on Investment?

An automatic stretch wrapper helps offset the cost of purchase by reducing the ongoing costs of stretch wrapping. A stretch wrapper can significantly reduce or eliminate labor spending related to stretch wrapping — directly by automating a labor-intensive process and indirectly by preventing workplace injuries. A stretch wrapper can also reduce the amount of money you spend on film, since this type of equipment stretches film before wrapping to use it more efficiently.

Find the Right Stretch Wrapper for Your Budget

Whether you have decided to purchase an automatic turntable stretch wrapper or a rotary arm semi-automatic, we can help you find a pallet wrapper that fits your budget. We offer automatic and semi-automatic wrapping machines proudly assembled in North America. For a custom quote on the industry’s best pallet wrapping machines, browse our product selection and contact Cousins Packaging today.

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