| New or Used stretch wrapper? Decisions, decisions.... | | | | Remember that with stretch wrap equipment just |
| A used or rebuilt pallet stretch wrapper can provide | | | | because it is rotating and applying film, doesn't mean |
| excellent performance while greatly reducing your | | | | the machine is working properly. Stretch film is a raw |
| capital expenditure. However, it is important to | | | | material and requires the machine to properly |
| understand that while used pallet stretch wrappers | | | | prestretch the film to get the required strenght and |
| can offer great value, not all stretch wrapper models | | | | holding properties of the film. If this critical function of |
| age well. Like the automobile industry, some used | | | | the wrapper is not working correctly then the |
| packaging equipment depreciates quickly and are | | | | performance and results will be poor. You can do this |
| expensive to maintain after the warranty period, | | | | "60 second Test" to check if the used wrapper you |
| while in other cases used stretch wrappers can be | | | | are interested in is operating efficently. It would save |
| quite reliable. | | | | you thousands of dollars. |
| Dont' buy a Desoto! | | | | Caveat Emptor (Buyer beware) |
| With the consolidation of packaging machinery | | | | For this reason, used stretch wrappers are not |
| manufacturers in recent years, a number of stretch | | | | uncommon. However, properly functioning used pallet |
| wrapper manufacturers "Like the good old Desoto" | | | | wrappers are very rare. Often companies sell their |
| have either went out of business or have been | | | | used stretch wrapping equipment on an "As Is" basis, |
| purchased and the manufacturing facility closed. This | | | | thus effectively passing their pallet wrapping |
| reduces the availability of replacement parts and | | | | problems on to you. |
| engineering support for the equipment. The | | | | For those in need of a used stretch wrapper, a |
| engineering knowledge of the older equipment | | | | reliable company that sold used and refurbished |
| models gets lost as facilities are moved or closed and | | | | stretch wrappers is CAPS (Can Am Packaging |
| personnel are let go. Companies like Infra-Pak, | | | | Systems). CAPS inspects and recondition all used |
| Liberty, Muller Mima and Orion are examples of | | | | stretch wrapper equipment prior to offering it for |
| companies whose facilities have been closed and/or | | | | sale. CAPS is also one of the largest providers of |
| moved, with key personnel and knowledge being lost | | | | wholesale stretch wrapper replacement parts in the |
| in the transition. This can make maintaining these | | | | North American packaging industry. |
| used older models difficult and costly. | | | | |