Load stability has a far greater impact on a company’s logistics than is commonly believed. It directly influences profitability, productivity and service quality. However, few companies take the time to analyse it objectively or to understand its true cost.

This is because, if there are no visible issues, it is usually assumed that the load is stable. As a result, many companies operate without really knowing the stability level of their loads or whether the amount of stretch film they are using is appropriate.

In fact, many companies monitor the film consumption for each pallet in detail. However, very few are aware of the actual costs that can result from a load that is not properly stabilised:

• Damage to goods
• Customer complaints
• Re-dispatches
• Downtime and operational inefficiencies
• Risks to operators
• Loss of productivity

What is load stability and what does it depend on?

Load stability is the ability of a pallet to maintain its integrity throughout the entire logistics process: handling, storage, transport and delivery. A stable load can withstand braking, acceleration, vibrations, turns and continuous movement.

However, stability does not depend solely on the film; it is the result of a balance between three elements acting in concert:

1. The load itself: weight, height, centre of gravity or type of product.
2. The palletising system: column stacking, interlocked stacking, mixed stacking, or irregular products.
3. The wrapping process: stretch film, pre-stretch, tension, number of wraps and machine settings.

Three myths that increase the cost of the wrapping process

In the industrial wrapping process, there are still some misconceptions which, far from improving stability, generate unnecessary costs.

More film = more stability

There are still companies that believe stability depends on the amount of film used, but this is not the case; the reality is that it depends on applying the right film with the correct settings. In fact, in most cases, more film simply means higher costs and more waste.

If a pallet never falls over, everything is fine

Many companies operate very close to the limit without realising it. The absence of complaints does not mean there is no scope for improving stability, reducing consumption or avoiding hidden costs.

Reducing consumption is always a good thing

Reducing consumption is not always a good thing; in fact, it can be counterproductive, especially if it is at the expense of stability. Therefore, it only makes sense if it has first been verified that the load is sufficiently stable.

Our Vision of Optimisation

At Aranco, we understand that optimising the wrapping process does not begin by reducing the amount of film used, but by ensuring stability. Once the stability of the load has been guaranteed, opportunities to optimise consumption or processes can be identified.

Only in this way can we avoid a very common mistake: prioritising savings without knowing the impact this may have on safety or performance.

For Aranco, stability is always the starting point, and optimisation comes afterwards.

To objectively assess load stability, we must measure and analyse various parameters that reveal the actual behaviour of the wrapping process: holding force, film memory and actual film consumption.

With this data, we can make decisions based on facts rather than perceptions.

This is how we ensure load stability at Aranco

At Aranco, we have developed a methodology that enables us to analyse and validate every wrapping process:

1. Analysis of the load type.
2. Assessment of the palletising system.
3. Selection of the most suitable film.
4. Configuration of wrapping machine parameters.
5. Measurement of the stability achieved.
6. Validation of results.
7. Optimisation of consumption where appropriate.

Thanks to this methodology, we ensure that every load has the required level of stability whilst using exactly the right amount of film.

Because at Aranco we understand that load stability is a productivity tool and a strategic factor in improving end-of-line efficiency.

To achieve this, we offer a unique model that enables us to take responsibility for the result of the wrapping process, integrating the wrapping machine, the film, maintenance, optimisation and process data into a single service.

Try it out with a free demo

Contact us for a free demo where we test the service directly on your loads, pallets and work rates, thus offering you an objective comparison of stability, consumption and performance, with no obligation and based entirely on real data.