Stretch Wrappers Set the Groundwork for Industrial Packaging Automation

In the packaging industry, automation means different things to different people, but it generally comes down to one big idea – efficiency. All businesses strive to be efficient; it creates more productive workspaces, yields less waste, and positively impacts a company’s financial and sustainability goals.

In 2025, one of the easiest and most exciting ways to approach your packaging efficiency goals is with automated industrial packaging solutions, or packaging automation. Each year, the technological advancements for industrial packaging automation get stronger and more adaptive to a wider range of needs.

What are Stretch Wrappers?

Stretch wrappers are one of the more commonly used and well-known types of automated packaging solutions. Stretch wrappers are machines that use plastic stretch film to wrap pallets and products for storage and shipping.

Stretch film protects palletized products from dust and damage, it holds products in place during transit, it keeps products safe from vandalism and theft, and most importantly, it keeps forklift and truck drivers safe while handling pallets.

How Stretch Wrappers Work

There are dozens of options when it comes to stretch wrappers. However, they all use the same basic function. The machine dispenses stretch film, which is then wrapped around a pallet, securing the goods in place. Some stretch wrappers have a rotating “arm” that circles the pallets with the film. Other types allow the pallet itself to spin on a turntable, while a static “arm” holds the film in place. There are even machines that autonomously ride around a pallet with stretch film. Some stretch wrappers are semi-automatic, while others are fully automatic.

Types of Stretch Wrappers

Each type of stretch wrapper is good for different things. Here is a breakdown of the different types of stretch wrappers:

Turntable

The pallet or the products sit on a rotating “turntable”-like platform and spin while the film moves up and down on the static dispenser. This semi-automatic stretch wrapper works well with more uniform, sturdy pallets and products.

Rotary Arm

This semi-automatic wrapper is best used for unstable or heavy loads, since the pallet remains static while a rotating arm encircles the pallet while wrapping it. 

Orbital

Also known as “horizontal” stretch wrappers, orbital stretch wrappers are made for use with elongated, non-palletized products like carpet rolls, pipes, and wooden planks. These fully automated wrappers are equipped with conveyors to safely glide the product into and out of the wrapper.

Mobile

Like the name says, this type of stretch wrapper is fully mobile, and operates the way a human would – by moving itself and the film around the pallet in front of it. Mobile stretch wrappers are typically more compact and take up less space than other types of stretch wrappers.

Pros and Cons of Stretch Wrappers

Stretch film can be applied manually, but the benefits of using an automatic or semi-automatic stretch wrapper often outweigh the alternative.

On one hand, stretch wrappers may seem like a costly piece of equipment, but consider the manpower and time needed to manually wrap a pallet. There are cost and labor savings involved in automated packaging technology like stretch wrappers, even if the up-front costs seem heavy.

BradyPLUS partners with superior packaging automation companies to provide best-in-class stretch wrappers and other automated packaging solutions for our customers across the country. Contact us today to discover more from BradyPLUS.