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When to Automate with Packaging Equipment

Automate a packaging step when labor, waste, or inconsistency at that station costs more than the machine over one to two years. This guide lists the warning signs, from bottlenecks and loose wraps to repetitive-strain injuries. It also gives volume guidelines for stretch wrappers, case sealers, and strapping machines. A simple four-step ROI method helps you build the business case, and S&S offers a free ROI estimate or on-site assessment.

Automate a packaging step when labor, material waste, or inconsistency at that station costs more than the machine over 1–2 years.

Signs it’s time

One task is a bottleneck, or people are pulled off other work to keep up.
You see inconsistent results, like loose wraps, crooked tape, or uneven strap tension.
Workers report strain or injuries from repetitive wrapping, taping, or strapping.
Material use is high because hand application wastes film or tape.

Equipment	Usually worth it when
Semi-automatic stretch wrapper	About 15–50+ pallets a day
Case sealer (box taping machine)	About 200+ boxes a day, or multiple shifts
Strapping machine	Steady daily strapping volume, or one person strapping full time
Gummed tape dispenser	Any volume of water-activated tape
Heat sealer or shrink system	Sealing bags or bundling product regularly

How to Build the Case

Count your daily volume and the minutes each unit takes by hand.
Multiply by your labor rate to get the annual labor cost.
Add material savings. Machine film pre-stretch alone often cuts film use significantly.
Compare the total to the equipment price to find the payback period.

Call S&S When

You want a free ROI estimate or an on-site assessment.

We Sell, Install, and Service:

Strapping Machines
Stretch Wrappers
Shrink Machines
Tape Machines
Carton Erector or Sealing Machines
Air Pillow and Paper Machines

S&S Incorporated · Packaging made easy since 1965 21300 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44117 216-383-1880 · info@sspkg.com · www.sspackaging.com Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM

When to Automate with Packaging Equipment

Automate a packaging step when labor, material waste, or inconsistency at that station costs more than the machine over 1–2 years.

How to Build the Case

Call S&S When

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