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26 MACHINERY UPDATE JULY/AUGUST 2018 www.machineryupdate.co.uk
Installation News
Automated pallet wrapper is
cost saving purchase for DIY
Antalis Packaging has
helped one of the
UK’s leading DIY
retailers eliminate over half
of its packaging waste and
cut costs by 60% after
recommending the distributor
install an automated pallet
wrapping machine.
Realising that its
packaging process was
proving increasingly
ineffective and costly, the
company in question, which
supplies home and garden
improvement products across
the UK, was looking for a new
method to simplify how goods
are contained on a pallet. The
original process involved the
use of heat shrink to contain
loads on to pallets, whereby
a shrink hood was placed
over a pallet and a flame gun
was used to shrink the film.
About 1,200 pallets were being
wrapped on a daily basis,
but with a very slow average
speed of just 4-5 minutes per
pallet. A speedier solution
was becoming a critical
requirement for the company.
hazards and risks
Early investigations also
uncovered a number of fire
hazards and health and
safety risks, with the pallet
shrink gun, in particular,
forcing employees to
repeatedly bend down and
also be at risk of burning
themselves. In addition,
with only one size of shrink
hood available, wastage
was high – making it clear
that to maintain a safe
and economical service,
a complete overhaul of the
packaging procedure was
needed by the company.
The DIY distributor called
on the help of the Antalis
Packaging team which
resulted in the installation of
four Lantech S300XT semiautomatic
pallet wrappers.
Packaging waste has been reduced by 75% which has resulted in cost savings for the DIY customer of 60%
At the heart of this approach
was speed and efficiency, as
production speeds of up to
30-40 pallets per hour was
offered by the equipment.
“The demonstration
stage was imperative, it’s
something we recommend
with all customers looking to
introduce a new packaging
solution on a larger scale,”
says Martin Styler, machinery
sales director for Antalis
Packaging. “It’s important to
see the machine in action but
to also engage with the people
who will be handling it, to
really grasp any challenges
that may arise.”
Alongside the practical
demonstrations, the team also
carried out a film audit and
film trials to ensure the best
stretch film was selected for
the pallet wrapper.
great improvements
Since introducing the
new system, the company
has witnessed significant
improvements in its plant.
In operation, pallets are
now taken to the wrap zone
where a top sheet is added to
the pallet and the wrapping
process is instigated remotely.
As a result, pallets are now
being wrapped at a speed
The demonstration stage was
an important part of the machine
installation in the DIY facility
that is 70% quicker than the
previous process.
Also, packaging waste has
been reduced by 75%,
resulting in cost savings for
the customer of over 60%.
In addition, the simplification
has removed the fire hazards
and the health and safety
issues for the operators.
“We are delighted to
have been able to deliver a
solution that provides not only
phenomenal cost savings and
process improvements, but it
also provides a safer working
environment for employees,”
says Styler. “The Lantech
S300XT has streamlined the
packaging procedures and
enhanced proficiency, helping
the company to continue to
deliver their products and
ultimately improve their
profitability.”
T 0370 241 1466
W www.antalispackaging.co.uk