The root cause of shipment rejections
Goods are rejected because the load shifts. Vibration, sudden braking and mechanical impact during transport move poorly secured cargo on the pallet, crushing cartons and breaking products. The common factor is insufficient, inconsistent load securing.
Why hand-applied methods fail heavy freight
Hand-applied stretch film and manual strapping rely on human strength, so containment force varies wildly from pallet to pallet. Too loose and the load shifts and breaks; uneven and the centre of gravity destabilises. Stretch film also only binds the load horizontally — it cannot anchor it to the pallet.
The high-tension automated solution
- Machine-calibrated tension: ErgoPack applies a precise, repeatable force from 150N up to 2500N (726X), locking the product to the pallet base as a single rigid unit.
- Vertical strapping: joining the load directly to the pallet base resists the shifting that horizontal stretch film allows under heavy vibration.
- Friction-weld sealing: a sealless joint with up to 90% efficiency that will not rust, slip or snap under shock — unlike crimped metal clips.
| Failure mode | Manual stretch wrap / metal clips | ErgoPack high-tension strapping |
|---|---|---|
| Load shifting | Common (horizontal containment only) | Eliminated (locked to pallet base) |
| Tension consistency | Variable, operator-dependent | Exact digital calibration |
| Joint failure | Metal clips snap (~60% efficiency) | Friction weld up to 90% efficiency |
| Rust contamination | High on sea freight | Zero (PET is moisture resistant) |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does automated pallet strapping reduce transit damage?
- Automated machines apply consistent, machine-calibrated tension from 150N up to 2500N directly to the load, joining it to the pallet base as a single rigid unit. This eliminates the load shifting caused by inconsistent manual tensioning, which is the primary cause of in-transit damage and shipment rejections.
- Why do heavy loads shift during transit?
- Heavy loads shift mainly due to insufficient vertical securing. Manual stretch wrapping provides only horizontal containment, which yields under vibration and impact. Vertical strapping anchors the goods directly to the pallet base, preventing movement.
- How do you properly secure a pallet for shipping?
- Distribute the load evenly on a quality pallet, then secure it with high-tension automated strapping. Applying machine-calibrated tension with heavy-duty PET strap makes the load act as a single rigid unit, eliminating the internal shifting that causes breakage. Add edge protectors on compressible loads.
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.