Achieving sustainability goals is the trend moving forward. Doing so while focusing on lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO) can be daunting. Therefore, in this article, we will talk about using the right gauging to achieve your goals.
Everyone is striving to achieve sustainability goals, albeit a taxing tasks to balance between business growth and sustainability.
On the one hand, sustainability covers many factors—downgauging, bioplastics, reduction of unsaleables, accidents and wastage, and more.
And can be rather costly at the current stage due to various reasons.
While on the other, the business must continue to grow to thrive.
As such arriving at an equilibrium between these two factors has always been a struggle for businesses.
Downgauging for Business but Not Sustainability
Downgauging can happen through the reduction of film thickness. At the moment, we’re proud to say that Thong Guan can achieve 5-micron “thin” stretch films.
Despite the trend of continuously downgauging to create the thinnest film, we cannot forgo the fact that it posses the threat of constant tearing.
That leads to unwanted downtime at your production floor and unnecessary wastage.
So, the next question is, how thin is thin without having your goods scattered all over the roads en route?
This makes matter worst if you’re trying to achieve your sustainability goals.
As such, in the bigger picture, downgauging is not the only way to achieve sustainability.
At Thong Guan, we focus on right-gauging to allow you to achieve your sustainability goals while lowering your TCO.
That is why it makes it possible for us to achieve ”thin” stretch films with minimal to zero tearing.
How we achieve the right gauging for you?
Right Gauging with Big Data
Gauge is the measure of the thickness of your stretch film. And typically, they may range from 37 to 150 gauge (about 9.4 to 38.1 microns).
Thong Guan’s thinnest film by far is about 19.7 gauge, to be exact 5 microns.
Right gauging is basically finding the right thickness for your application needs.
However, the thickness is not the only factors to consider in the right gauging.
It is when we ask questions like
- What is the weight of your load?
- What is the shape of your load?
- What are the properties of your stretch film? I.e. holding power, prestretch, high-performance, gauge/thickness, types, etc.
As such, it is safe to say, the best way to right gauging is through data.
The Implications of Right Gauging
It is important to understand that a heavier load puts more force on the stretch film.
This means you will need a stronger stretch film.
In terms of holding power, you will need less holding power and durability for uniform loads, for instance, pallets containing boxes of the same size.
On the other hand, you’d require more with irregular and unstable loads.
The heavier the load and the more force the stretch wrap will be under, the stronger your stretch film will need to be.
With the expansive range of our stretch films, you will find different stretch films that come with different properties and holding power.
How does right gauging achieve more sustainability?
It’s simple.
Best-fit film equals stable load.
That translates to lowered risks of load breaking accidents en route, fewer damages to the loads, reduced risks of road accidents, and no more unsaleables.
Do you know that 4% of all transported goods are damaged upon arrival?
And are mostly caused by incorrect wrapping methods.
Perhaps, only downgauging was done and not right gauging due to the pressure to reduce the cost of packaging over time.
As such, films are made inferiors.
That is why at Thong Guan, quality matters to us.
Plus, you can opt for the bio-based stretch film if you’d want to take that extra mile towards achieving your sustainability goals.
How does right gauging help in lowering TCO?
But, that’s not all.
If we look at the entire supply chain and how poor (or good) packaging is impacting your total costs, then you’d probably think twice the next time your Purchasing Department is selecting the films while ignoring the feedback from your head of Production.
This is where Thong Guan comes aims to play a role in connecting your supply chain not just internal but externally through data, and innovative products and solutions.
We do so with the integration of industrial 4.0, the use of big data for smart insights, and superior products that matches your needs.
Testing your wrapping, understanding your stretch film properties, and optimising your entire packaging process flow is the way towards a lowered TCO.
Conclusion
Right gauging with Thong Guan can help you achieve the balance between increasing your bottom line, growing your business while achieving your sustainability goals.
For more info, contact us at info@thongguan.com.
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