Get a Grip on Rolls

"Converters need roll handling that is the most cost effective for their individual operations. High-end robotic systems do not necessarily make good economic sense for medium-to-small converting companies," Morton said.

Ellingsworth added, "If every converter used new high-quality roll handling equipment, nobody could afford their finished goods. There must be a balance defined by the finished goods and the available labor quality. For some products, a pallet on a hand truck may prove to provide similar productivity compared to an automated roll lift that ejects to a cart. Unless the customer is purchasing a show-piece machine to demonstrate to his customers, it is never a long-term benefit to push a feature or product that will not easily demonstrate its worth in productivity.