Use-Case – SMARTWRAP-X vs SMARTWRAP X10 Pallet Wrapper

The Challenge

A regional distributor of food and beverages was operating a single SMARTWRAP-X semi-automatic pallet wrapper at a busy outbound loading area. With throughput nearing 200 pallets per day, the management team faced a decision: continue with the entry-level machine or upgrade to the advanced SMARTWRAP X10 featuring 300% pre-stretch and automatic film cutting and clamping.

The main considerations were: at what daily volume does it become worthwhile to invest in automation and significant film savings, and how does this compare to simply installing an additional cost-effective SMARTWRAP-X unit?

Product B: SMARTWRAP X10 Pallet Wrapper

The SMARTWRAP X10 automatic pallet wrapping machine is engineered for operations with high throughput and standardised loads. It is capable of wrapping 30–40 pallets per hour with 300% pre-stretch and features automatic film cutting and application, so operator involvement is limited to loading and unloading pallets.

At 60% effective utilisation across two shifts, the X10 can handle approximately 350 pallets per day. However, its purchase cost of €7,999 and higher installed power requirement (2.2 kW) represent a more substantial initial outlay. For a business just surpassing the 150–200 pallets per day mark, this could mean tying up funds before the machine’s full capacity is needed.

Film savings are substantial, but to maximise these benefits, the machine should operate close to its maximum throughput. At moderate volumes, much of the X10’s automation is not fully utilised, which extends the period required to recover the investment.

Product A: SMARTWRAP-X Pallet Wrapper

The SMARTWRAP-X semi-automatic stretch wrapper is ideally suited to businesses with medium volumes that are on a growth trajectory. With a 1,500 mm turntable, a standard wrapping height of 2,000 mm, and a throughput of 25–30 pallets per hour, it can efficiently process up to 200 pallets per day at 60% utilisation.

With a price tag of just €2,999, the SMARTWRAP-X offers reliable wrapping performance, remote maintenance via IoT, intuitive touch-screen controls, and a robust safety system, all at a significantly lower cost than the X10. Compared to manual wrapping, it reduces film usage by approximately 40% and ensures consistent wrapping quality, without the complexity of a fully automated system.

For this distributor, the SMARTWRAP-X met current requirements with capacity for future expansion, allowing capital to be reserved for additional machines if needed, rather than committing to a high-end automated solution prematurely.

ROI & Value Analysis

Assumptions: 200 pallets per day, 8-hour shift, labour cost at €25 per hour, manual wrapping as the baseline.

Product B Performance:

• Cycle duration: 2.5 minutes per pallet, including loading, unloading, and minimal supervision
• Daily output at 60% utilisation: approximately 350 pallets per day (current requirement is 200)
• Daily labour cost (200 pallets): around €80 per day (3.75 labour hours)
• Daily film cost (300% pre-stretch): about €40 per day

Product A Performance:

• Cycle duration: 3.5 minutes per pallet, including manual tying and cutting
• Daily output at 60% utilisation: approximately 250 pallets per day (easily covers 200)
• Daily labour cost (200 pallets): about €200 per day (10 labour hours)
• Daily film cost (semi-automatic, good tension): about €72 per day

Compared to hand wrapping, the SMARTWRAP-X already achieves savings of roughly €120 per day in combined labour and film costs. At this volume, the X10 would provide an additional saving of €80 per day (mainly from reduced labour and film), but only if its higher capacity is utilised.

Investment Comparison:
Product B price (SMARTWRAP X10): €7,999
Product A price (SMARTWRAP-X): €2,999
Difference in price: €5,000
Additional daily savings with X10 compared to SMARTWRAP-X at 200 pallets: about €80 per day
Payback period for the price difference: less than 7 months if the volume remains steady at or above 200 pallets per day and continues to grow. If the volume is lower, the payback period extends beyond a year, whereas the SMARTWRAP-X offers immediate cost reductions with less financial exposure.

Verdict

Select Product B if your annual contract volumes consistently exceed 250 pallets per day per line and you require the highest level of automation, minimal operator involvement, and integrated pre-stretch functionality from the outset.

Opt for Product A if your throughput falls within the 80–220 pallets per day range, you are seeking the lowest initial investment, quick cost reductions compared to manual pallet wrapping, and the option to add a second affordable SMARTWRAP-X in the future, rather than committing prematurely to full automation. For the majority of expanding shippers, SMARTWRAP-X represents a more prudent and higher-return introduction to automated pallet wrapping.

“We transitioned directly from manual wrapping to SMARTWRAP-X and reduced our daily expenditure on film and labour by over a third. It comfortably manages our current 180 pallets per shift, and we retained five thousand euros in our budget for further enhancements, rather than immediately investing in a fully automatic line.” — Luca Bianchi, Logistics Manager, Fresco Alimentari S.r.l., Parma (IT)