Challenge
The Automotive Parts Supplier was receiving multiple complaints from customers stating that the pallets are sticking together during transit. The process of wrapping pallets by hand was labour intensive and slow.
Reducing Stretch Film Waste by 60% with Wrap It Right and the Wulftec SML 150
Case Study: Manufacturer
Overview
An automotive parts supplier, located throughout Southwestern Ontario, was experiencing issues with blown hand stretch film. The blown hand film the customer was using stuck together once the pallets were in transit.
A Crawford Packaging Specialist and Industrial Automation Manager conducted a Wrap It Right audit, a semi automatic stretch wrapper was introduced as an overall solution for this issue. The Wulftec SML-150 stretch wrap machine would use one-sided cling machine film and eliminate the pallets sticking together.
The Parts Supplier not only saw an increase in productivity but over 60% reduction in film waste/consumption as well.
Process
Our Packaging Specialist, along with our Industrial Automation Manager, met with the client for a site visit to assess the film issue. The Crawford team conducted a Wrap It Right audit to assess the challenges that the customer was experiencing. The Packaging Specialist also brought in samples of one-sided cling stretch film to show the difference between machine and hand stretch film.
After concluding the issue was the blown hand film, our Packaging Specialist suggested an automated stretch wrap machine that would use one-sided cling machine stretch film.
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. The SML-150 stretch wrap machine uses a one-sided cling stretch film, eliminating the issue of parts sticking together in transit.
Results
This knowledge-based solution has helped the Automotive Parts Supplier to automate their entire packaging process. Huge increases can be seen in productivity due to the automation process. The stretch wrap machine has also decreased waste, consumption and labour costs.
Increased Productivity
The client saw increased productivity by getting rid of the manual application of blown hand stretch film. The SML-150 Stretch Wrapper automated the wrapping process 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 60%.
Reduced Labour
The client now only requires two employees to stretch wrap pallets instead of four employees. This is a huge savings in labour costs.
Increased Throughput
The client is now seeing up to 55 loads wrapped per hour by using the Wulftec SML-150. When using a hand blown film, the loads per hour were dependent on how quickly the employee could wrap a skid.