Customized Stretch Film Plan

Purchasing Stretch Film

If you are reading this it is probably because you are responsible for getting the most out of your stretch packaging dollar. I am sure that you have many other much more important responsibilities and in the big scheme of things this can seem relatively unimportant. You make a few phone calls, surf the web, and get some comparable prices. Job done.

However, what many people do not realize is that getting a cheap stretch wrap roll price or a cost per pound is only one component of getting the most out of your dollar. McLeod & Dewey sells millions of pounds of stretch film nationwide. We often are able to provide you with a plan that not only provides a competitive price for your stretch film, but include services that, on their own, will save you money. These services are the McLeod & Dewey difference.

We are not selling just the film. Our goal is not to make a quick one time sale from the internet. We want to grow long term business relationships based on quality of service and competitive price. We want to look at your operation and help you determine what you require to maximize your stretch wrapping efficiency. Due to our focus and knowledge in both the stretch film and the stretch wrap equipment we are uniquely qualified to provide a complete package of support with the stretch film. Let us show you what we mean by the McLeod & Dewey difference.

Determining your stretch packaging specifications.

Why, How much and Where should I apply the stretch film ?

Why are we stretch wrapping? Don’t lose track of this!!

• What are the requirements of your stretch packaging application?
  Unitizing, warehouse storage, dust protection, moisture or abrasion protection, transit handling, pilferage protection, end user floor display, outdoor storage etc.

Once ALL requirements are established, only then can you determine what type of stretch wrap parameters will be necessary to meet these requirements:

• Production speed, film gauge, holding force, tension, prestretch levels, wrap patterns, wrap parameters, overwrap, overlap, top and bottom wraps, etc.

These parameters must be formulated to optimize the film application to give you the holding power where your specific loads need it while not applying too much stretch film that can damage your product while increasing the packaging cost.

You simply can not talk about film savings or costs before properly determining these specifications for your particular loads.

Is your stretch wrap machine functioning ?

Having determined what wrapping specifications are required, is your stretch wrap machine capable of prestretching and applying the stretch film in the manner required, and at the speed required?

Having created a stretch packaging specification that outlines exactly how your loads must be stretch wrapped to ensure proper load integrity, it is critical that your stretch wrap machine can produce the package.

Machine Efficiency in the Market

We have done thousands of stretch film machinery audits over time. It is incredible that with the focus on reducing costs in stretch film most stretch film is applied with inefficient machinery which results in lowered performance and drastic increases in cost.

From our data:

• 40% of the stretch wrappers are performing under acceptable prestretch levels.
• Some machines are running extremely high film tension levels causing production problems and potentially crushing product.
• Amount of film applied per load varies greatly without necessarily improving load integrity.
  (Sometimes more is just more).
• There are serious dollars to be saved!!!!
  How Much? Over $0.20 / lb. So much for the 3 pennies you saved on the stretch film cost per roll.

How Can This Be ?

Stretch film is too easily sold by the pound purely as a consumable item without looking at the big picture!

As we have explained, this can be the least important component of the overall packaging cost.

Many stretch film suppliers do not have the technical expertise to upgrade and maintain equipment performance

It is simply easier to sell by the pound and leave the equipment performance to the customer. However ...

Stretch wrapping costs can not be defined solely in terms of cost per pound. It is determined by:

• Amount of film required to provide proper load integrity.
• Efficiency of equipment.
• Ability to maintain efficiency.
• Cost of the material

The McLeod & Dewey Difference

Let us show you what we mean by the
McLeod & Dewey difference

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