In a list of jobs that would be considered desirable today, manually stretch wrapping pallets would not likely be very high. The physical act of applying stretch wrap is a repetitive, monotonous task that can be taxing on the body. In short, it’s not a very appealing job, which is part of the reason why it’s difficult for employers to hire and retain workers to staff end-of-line packaging operations. Companies are fed up with staffing shortages impacting day-to-day operations and are exploring if now is the time to move to automation, which has led to a spike in inquiries for automatic stretch wrapping solutions.
Many companies are citing a lack of workers as a primary reason for considering automation. The situation is so dire that some have said new hires wrap a few pallets on their first day of work, take their morning break, and never come back. The bottom line is that products need to be properly wrapped and shipped every day, and the most reliable way to make sure that happens is through automation. There’s a shift now occurring within the labor pool. Workers are getting smarter and are looking for jobs that are not only challenging but give them a sense of self-worth. Repetitive-type jobs such as hand wrapping pallets all day are feeling this pinch.
Even for companies that may only wrap a few dozen pallets a day, adding automation makes sense. Automating the stretch wrapping operations allows companies to relocate those employees to other areas within the plant. For example, those operators on the line can go through training and become more skilled employees to run the new automation systems. They become more valuable to their organization, and their earning power increases – it’s really a win-win situation for all involved. With the labor shortage showing no signs of slowing down, consider automating your stretch wrapping operations – now that’s a desirable option. To look at how you can solve your stretch wrapping related labor issues, Orion can provide you with a free audit to recommend the best solution for your application.