Challenge
The plastics distributor was concerned about their outdate automated stretch wrapper’s performance. The customer was also experiencing an excess amount of film being used on their loads.
Reducing Stretch Film Waste by 75% with Wrap It Right and the Wulftec SML 150
Case Study: Distribution – Polyethylene Plastics
Overview
Our customer who distributes polyethylene plastics, located in North York, came to us after learning that their stretch wrappers were old, out of date, and unsafe, causing increased packing times and using 4x more film than what was needed.
A Crawford Packaging Specialist, Pat Butler, and Industrial Automation Manager, Tim Strecker, conducted a Wrap-it-Right audit with the customer to establish their needs for load containment and further identify areas of inefficiency. The customer sent 2 different skids, to our new showroom and testing facility in Mississauga, to perform the wrap-it-right audit on the film and the packaging equipment. Pat and Tim proposed the Wulftec SML-150 for their wrapping requirements and they pivoted their film to Sigma Vortex stretch film.
The Distributor not only saw a decrease in film consumption by 75% but also an increase in throughput by 8x, reducing their wrap time to about 2 mins/skid. Crawford Packaging’s knowledgeable parts and service team also helped solidify the solution for the customer.
Process
A Crawford Packaging Specialist, Pat Butler, and Industrial Automation Manager, Tim Strecker, conducted a Wrap-it-Right audit with the customer to establish their needs for load containment and further identify areas of inefficiency. The customer sent 2 different skids, to our new showroom and testing facility in Mississauga, to perform the wrap-it-right audit on the film and the packaging equipment.
The audit discovered that updating their current stretch wrappers to Wulftec SML-150s increased their throughput by 8x. The audit also discovered that pivoting to a thinner gauge film provides the customer with stronger load containment while reducing the film consumption by up to 75%.
Solution
Wrap It Right
Crawford’s Wrap It Right Program works with clients to audit and review their existing stretch film practices and equipment to identify inefficiency. Wrap It Right will increase productivity and reduce costs through standardization of load containment and stretch film practices. Through the Wrap It Right program, clients have realized up to 30% on their annual stretch film costs.
Wulftec SML 150 Semi-Automatic Turntable Stretch Wrapper
Wulftec SML 150 is an efficient alternative to manual stretch wrapping solutions. The Wulftec SML 150 Semi-Automatic Stretch Wrapper was chosen as the best fit for this customer. It is a low-profile, octagonal base turntable stretch wrapper that is ideal for facilities that require a small footprint.
Pat and Tim proposed to the customer they pivot their film to Sigma Vortex stretch film and through testing, this is the film that worked for the customer.
Results
This knowledge-based solution has helped the plastics Distributor to reduce their consumption and annual costs. Huge increases have been seen in productivity due to the stretch wrapper upgrades. The customer has also signed up for our preventative maintenance program for regular machine service to ensure there are running at optimal performance.
Increased Productivity
The client saw increased productivity by replacing their 2 outdate stretch wrappers. The SML-150 Stretch Wrapper increased the wrapping speed for the client.
Reduced Stretch Film Waste
By switching over to an automatic stretch wrapper, the customer saw a decrease in film usage by approximately 75%.
Increased Throughput
The client is now seeing their pallets wrapped 8x faster than before – approximately 2 minutes/skid by using the Wulftec SML-150.