Should I Consider a Used Stretch Wrap Machine?

Should I Consider a Used Stretch Wrap Machine?

If you’re thinking about adding a stretch wrapper to your packaging line, you may be considering the option of purchasing a used machine. While the price point of buying used may be attractive, you have to consider the pros and cons of buying used or new.

Benefits of a Used vs a New Stretch Wrapper

Pros and cons of a used stretch wrapperPros and cons of a used stretch wrapperPros and cons of a used stretch wrapper
Pros and cons of a new stretch wrapperPros and cons of a new stretch wrapperPros and cons of a new stretch wrapper

If you're considering a fully automatic stretch wrapper, the decision to buy used becomes more unfavorable. Automatic machines are more complex than semi-automatic and have often been customized for specific applications. You need to be certain that a machine has the specifications required for your wrapping environment whether you decide to buy used or new stretch wrapper.


So, how do I decide if I should buy a new or used stretch wrapper?

In most cases, the risk will outweigh the reward of buying used. Although there may be situations where it's worth it to buy used such as if a used machine has only been used for demo purposes or is relatively new without a large number of hours used. Just keep in mind that most used equipment will likely be out of warranty and any repair or maintenance costs along with downtime can quickly add up, negating any cost savings from buying used. The 2020 Maintenance Survey by Plant Engineering found that the leading cause of unscheduled downtime within facilities is from aging equipment, followed by mechanical failure, then operator error/lack of training. 

Every stretch wrapper from Rocket Industrial comes with a factory warranty and the full support of our in-house service team. Contact our equipment specialists for help finding the right machine that fits your budget and requirements.

Sign up for Rocket Industrial's newsletterSign up for Rocket Industrial's newsletterSign up for Rocket Industrial's newsletter