Tips for Switching Your Pallet Wrap Product
Why rethink your wrap?
If you’re shipping to the EU, chances are you’ve already had to start planning around new PPWR packaging waste laws. Other regulatory shifts, such as changes to the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme in the UK, are also set to impact the food industry, prompting many companies to rethink their entire plastic supply chain.
Whatever the case for your operation, there are a number of steps worth taking before you switch wrap products.
1. Audit your current system
Before weighing up a replacement, consider what your current wrap is costing. This includes looking at everything from the price per roll to how many pallets you can wrap with one roll, how much storage space it requires and how much time you spend on labour. That goes for corner boards and strapping as well.
Consider the total time it takes to secure a pallet with the current method and the percentage of produce that reaches the destination in a marketable state. Use these figures as a baseline when comparing your current setup with potential new products.
2. Understand material behaviour before committing
If you’re considering a new product, find out exactly how the stretch film performs under pressure. How much does it stretch under normal conditions? Does it maintain its width when stretched? Does it “snap back” to secure loads effectively?
And how well does it cope with movement? Pallets can be jostled during transport, so it’s worth checking whether a new product can keep your loads stable. A stable load can help reduce the risk of produce being damaged in transit.
Finally, consider ventilation and cooling properties. Any new pallet wrap you invest in should perform at least as well as the product you’re already using, preferably better.
3. Run a small-batch trial first
Ask your potential supplier about the scope of a small batch trial and whether a new wrap is compatible with your existing machines. Ideally, you’ll want to either find a wrap that’s compatible with your current system or a supplier that’s willing to loan machines for a trial.
From there, test the new product against the baseline you laid out earlier. Is the new system more cost effective? Is it faster? And how does the wrap hold up in terms of performance?
By answering those questions, you can quickly figure out whether it’s worth switching to the new product.
4. Plan your changeover
Once you’ve identified the product to run with, make sure you have a plan for minimising disruption during the transition. That includes planning for staff training, if needed, and updating operating procedures.
This is another area where it’s worth checking what kind of support you can expect from a new supplier before making the switch. Some will be willing to provide on-site demos and training, which can significantly speed up the implementation of a new system.
Need more information on transitioning to a new ventilated film or pallet wrap? Tama’s pallet wrap team is here to help. Contact us today.
