We are wading through a 3 inch pile of paper that details our prospect’s expectation for our wrapping machine, our performance and all the other terms prior to purchase. If we were to meet them all, it would add 30% to the cost of the machine.  I am sure we will find a middle ground of accommodation that will not increase their costs by 30%. This leads me to wonder why we do not have our own 3 inch list of expectations for our buyers.

So here is our first crack at such a list based on our experience.

• Don’t change the wrapping material and the tray or box that is to be wrapped at the same time without allowing time for debugging.
• The wrapper comes at the end of the line. All the flaws in the packaging process are revealed at that point. Make sure that the other equipment and product meet specs so that the wrapper can too.
• Give us a plant tour in your facility, so we can understand how our technology and equipment will fit in your line.
• Send enough product for the FAT  and don’t forget the wrapping material.  After you have unwrapped and re-wrapped and re-re-wrapped a product, it does not behave the same way as it did when it was fresh. If we use our film, we may not get the same results as you will with your film.
• Send the mechanics in for the runoff. We cannot teach through a mind meld over the ether. The pay off will come in a quicker start up. We offer two days of training at run off in our facility for a reason.
• Expect to spend at least three days in start up at your plant while people get to know the machine and learn about to adjust it. Longer is better to make everyone comfortable. We offer two free days of start up and training on the FA-ST for a reason.
• Appoint one person to learn the machine, a deputy to be his/her back up. Don’t let everyone and their brother-in-law mess with the machine just because it is the new toy and they think they know it better. Otherwise expect a broken machine and lots of service visits.
• Make sure we all are in agreement on the air and electrical connections that the machine needs.
• Understand that the FA-ST provides the same wrap as your old FA but it is not the same machine. Learn it like it was new.
• Call us back when we call you to find out how things are going. Communication is a two way street. Don’t wait for a disaster and then start panicking and yelling. You don’t jump from first grade to high school without a little help and guidance.
• Make sure you have the right film, both in terms of performance and dimensions, in your facility when the machine gets there, so you are good to go. This is especially important if you have not been using BOPP film before or have been using a different kind of wrapper.
• Make sure you check and double check the film layout with us so that you but the right film. You don’t want to have a significant investment in the wrong film and we don’t want an unhappy customer.
• if you want us to comply with local codes for your machine, then you need to tell us what they are and we need to factor them into the machine design.  Otherwise don’t put the requirement in the machine specs. We cannot be on top of codes and ordinances for cities and towns across the continent.

Our goal is to have a happy customer. Your goal is to be a happy customer. Let’s get there together.