STRETCH FILM & LOAD CONTAINMENT
Pallet Instability, Freight Damage, and Film Waste Are All Symptoms of the Wrong Stretch Film Program
Stretch film is one of the most consumed materials in any distribution or manufacturing operation — and one of the most misspecified. Most operations are either using too much film, the wrong gauge, or a manual process where an automated one would cut cost and improve load consistency. The result is excess material spend, inconsistent pallet containment, and avoidable freight damage.
The Real Cost of a Poorly Designed Stretch Film Program
Stretch film problems don’t usually announce themselves as stretch film problems. They show up as freight claims, product damage, inconsistent pallet quality, and excessive material spend. When the program is right, those costs go away.
- Pallet instability — insufficient containment force allows product to shift in transit, leading to damage claims and customer complaints
- Freight damage — loads that aren’t properly unitized are vulnerable to tip-overs, product shifting, and damage at the dock
- Excess film usage — manual wrapping typically uses 3 to 5 times more film than an engineered machine program with proper pre-stretch
- Inconsistent wrap quality — hand wrapping varies by operator; machine wrapping produces consistent containment force every cycle
Stretch Film Solutions We Provide
Hand Stretch Film
Cast and blown hand film in standard and extended core formats. Matched to your load type, operator preference, and containment requirements. Extended core options reduce hand fatigue on high-volume manual wrapping operations.
Machine Stretch Film
Performance machine film engineered for your stretch wrapper model and pre-stretch ratio. Proper film selection for your machine is as important as the machine itself — the wrong film wastes material and produces inconsistent containment.
High-Performance Downgauged Film
Nano-layer and high-performance film technology that delivers equal or superior containment force at a lower gauge than standard film. At higher volumes, gauge reduction produces meaningful material cost savings without sacrificing load integrity.
Load Containment Optimization
A systematic review of your current film, machine settings, wrap pattern, and containment force measurement. We identify where you’re over-wrapping, under-wrapping, or using the wrong film for your load profile — and quantify the savings opportunity.
Hand Film vs. Machine Film: Knowing When to Make the Switch
| Factor | Hand Wrapping | Machine Wrapping |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Varies by operator | Consistent every cycle |
| Film usage | High — limited pre-stretch | Low — engineered pre-stretch ratio |
| Labor requirement | High — dedicated operator per pallet | Low — operator loads and steps away |
| Containment force | Inconsistent | Measurable and repeatable |
| Volume threshold | Effective under 15–20 pallets/day | Cost-justified above 15–20 pallets/day |
Why Allied for Stretch Film
Film selection isn’t just about gauge and roll weight. It’s about matching the film to your machine, your pre-stretch ratio, your load profile, and your distribution environment. We evaluate all of those variables — not just the price per roll.
- Machine-matched film selection — we match film to your specific wrapper model to optimize pre-stretch performance and minimize breaks
- Containment force analysis — we measure actual containment force on your loads before and after any program change to verify performance
- Downgauging opportunities — high-performance film technology often delivers equivalent containment at lower gauge, reducing material cost
- Equipment and film together — we source stretch wrappers and film as a system, ensuring compatibility and optimized performance from day one
How We Work
- Assess your current program — film type, machine model, wrap pattern, pallets per day, and current damage or waste issues
- Measure containment force — establish a performance baseline before recommending any change
- Recommend the right film — gauge, formulation, and roll configuration matched to your operation
- Validate and convert — confirm performance meets or exceeds your current program before full switch
- Optimize over time — as your volumes, products, or equipment change, we revisit the program and find additional improvements
Ready to Reduce Film Cost and Improve Load Containment?
Most stretch film programs have meaningful savings available — in material cost, labor, or freight damage reduction. It starts with understanding what your current program is actually delivering. Let’s find out.