Effective Load Containment for Fabricators

Muller LCS (Glenview, IL), a leading manufacturer of both innovative equipment and material load containment solutions, helped attendees reach greater pallet security at FABTECH 2015 in Chicago, IL, at Booth C-433. Originally built by fabricators to solve the unique challenges of securing oddly shaped, heavy loads directly to the pallet, the Yellow Jacket orbital stretch wrapper is the preferred load containment solution for fabricating industry veterans. The Yellow Jacket effectively secures complex fabrications, metal parts and loose assemblies on a pallet while simultaneously minimizing the time and labor traditionally required to secure the load to a pallet. Attendees to the booth were able to see the machine in action and learn about the full breadth of available Muller solutions.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our manufacturing process,” says Chris Pinyan, the plant manager of Bluff Manufacturing (Fort Worth, TX). “After seeing the Yellow Jacket orbital stretch wrapper, we knew we could do better at wrapping our skids.” The orbital wrapper is a horizontally-positioned stretch wrap machine that moves around and under a load as the Yellow Jacket is manually advanced across the length of the load — significantly minimizing the time it takes to wrap a load by hand. Tightly wrapped to the pallet, the load’s ability to shift, fall or slide in transit is nearly impossible. Typically this type of operation takes two workers roughly ten minutes to wrap a similar load by hand. Yellow Jacket can wrap a similar load with one worker in one minute.

In addition to reducing the labor required to wrap by at least 50 percent, the systems also eliminates the need for other strapping materials or expensive cartons to secure loads. Shops have reported saving anywhere from $20,000-$50,000 annually in labor costs alone. Factor in the increase in product integrity, reduction in material use and other hidden costs, and these savings only increase. “The labor savings created by incorporating the Yellow Jacket allows us to use our human capital in a better and more efficient way than simply wrapping the product,” adds Pinyan. “While it’s an important step, the machine does the work of 3-4 employees in less time, with greater load containment and improved safety.”

Yellow Jacket’s Orbital Stretch Wrap is available in manual or semi-automatic. The 87M requires a footprint of only about 8 ft x 9 ft and runs on 110 VAC — making it easy to install in most any plant. It also wraps a standard pallet size up to 68 in diagonal. “We are backed by some truly amazing solutions that continually set us apart from the competition,” says Neil Weisensel, the brand and marketing director of Muller. “This system is proof that our products provide industry specific solutions and we work tirelessly to help our customers solve all their load containment needs.”

Muller LCS, 3644 West Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL 60026, 800-628-6787, [email protected], www.mullerlcs.com.