Creating your own Rocket Industrial personal account has many benefits:
In the second edition of our "Package With Wes" series, we spotlight Zenith Stretch Film and how it can drive significant cost savings for your packaging operations. Our stretch film line offers lower costs and high quality. It's also lab-tested by our expert packaging engineers to ensure top performance. As Wes Hoffman explains in this week’s video, measuring cost per load, not just focusing on cost per roll, is essential when managing stretch film expenses.
Did you enjoy this video? Follow Rocket Industrial on LinkedIn for more helpful packaging and automation content. If you'd like to chat more with Wes on this topic, connect with him on LinkedIn.
Want to learn more about our Zenith stretch wrap line? You can learn more about our exclusive stretch film line in our Zenith launch announcement and purchase both machine and hand wrap right on our website.
While many companies focus solely on the price of a roll of stretch film, that’s only part of the equation. True savings come from understanding the cost per load, which takes into account at a minimum:
By factoring in these variables, you can calculate the actual cost of securing each load, uncovering potential savings hidden behind lower roll prices.
Here’s a more detailed, but simple explanation of how to calculate true stretch film cost:
Find Roll Weight:
Multiply Width x Length x 12 x Mil Thickness and divide by 30,000 to get the roll weight in pounds.
Example: 20" x 5000' x 12 x 0.8 / 30,000 = 32 lbs
Find Cost Per Pound:
Divide the roll cost by the roll weight.
Example: $41.80 / 32 lbs = $1.31 per lb
Find Cost Per Load:
Weigh the stretch film used on one pallet, convert it to pounds, and multiply by the cost per pound.
Example: 0.5 lbs x $1.31 = $0.655 per pallet
Why It Matters:
Cheaper stretch films may seem like a good deal, but they often require more film per pallet. A higher-performance film, while costing more per pound, could save money by using less material.
Additional Example Comparison:
By calculating the cost per load, you can choose the best film for both performance and savings.
According to Wes, "We've seen as much as 35% in cost savings just by optimizing stretch film usage." One recent success comes from a stretch film analysis for a paper manufacturer, where we helped the company reduce film usage while improving load containment. Switching from a standard film to a high-performance film resulted in material savings of over $25,000 per year. You can read the full details in our case study here.
1. Bulk Purchasing - Purchase stretch film in bulk for volume discounts. Work closely with suppliers to explore cost-saving options
2. Optimize Film Usage - Choose the correct film gauge based on load weight and shipping conditions. Use pre-stretched film to reduce material usage while maintaining load stability.
3. Improve Wrapping Processes - Ensure your stretch wrapper is correctly calibrated, including settings like tension, pre-stretch, and wrap pattern. Proper settings can reduce film waste and improve load stability.
4. Equipment Preventative Maintenance - Regular maintenance of stretch wrappers prevents breakdowns and ensures consistent wrapping performance.
5. Routine Audits & Training - Conduct periodic packaging audits to identify areas for film reduction. Train operators on best practices for load wrapping and equipment use.
Not sure where to start? Our packaging engineers can test your stretch film in our in-house packaging lab or at your facility during a site visit to determine the most efficient film type and application settings for your operation. We’ll help you reduce costs while ensuring that your products remain secure during transit. Contact us today to Package With Less and see how much you can save.
