The hidden financial drain of manual wrapping
Manual stretch wrapping takes 5–10 minutes per pallet as workers walk the load repeatedly, stretching film by hand. Achieving consistent film tension by hand is mechanically impossible, so operators over-wrap to compensate — consuming up to 50% more film than a calibrated machine.
| Metric | Manual stretch wrapping | ErgoPack automated strapping |
|---|---|---|
| Time per pallet | 5–10 minutes | Under 40 seconds |
| Labor per 50-pallet shift | ~350 minutes | ~100 minutes |
| Consumable waste | Up to 50% excess film | Precise PP/PET strap |
| Load stability | Horizontal only | Vertical, locked to pallet base |
Load stability: high tension vs film stretch
For medium-to-heavy goods, horizontal stretch film yields under vibration and creates weak spots. Automated vertical strapping pulls heavy-duty PP or PET strap to exact tension — up to 2500N on the 726X — joining the load directly to the pallet base and eliminating the shifting that film allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is pallet strapping cheaper than stretch wrapping?
- For medium-to-heavy loads, yes. Although the machine costs more upfront, strapping eliminates the up-to-50% film waste of manual wrapping and cuts cycle time from 5–10 minutes to under 40 seconds, so ROI is typically reached within months.
- Does strapping provide better load stability than wrapping?
- For heavy loads, yes. Strapping joins the cargo to the pallet base with precise vertical tension, preventing shifting. Stretch wrapping only binds items horizontally, which can fail under impact and vibration in transit.
See the numbers on your own floor
Book a free on-site capacity audit — we bring an ErgoPack 726X, GO or 700 to your pallets and measure the time and labor you'd save.