High volume folding?

By Tyrko on Sep. 28, 2011

Hi all,

I was wondering how you all deal with customers that want things individually folded and bagged? We originally said to customers that we didn't do it, and it was basically their problem. However, due to constant demand (nagging, lol) we started doing it, and realized most customers are willing to pay a premium for it. Now, that many customers want things folded, its getting hard.

Right now our folder is 3 girls with shirt boards and peel n' seal ULINE t-shirt bags, not super cost effective, I know. I can buy an automated folder/bagger from M&R, but to the tune of almost $30,000 ... does anyone know of a happy-medium?

Appreciate anyone's advice.
:)

-- Tina

Submitted by Gilligan on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 10:22

Tyrko wrote:

Right now our folder is 3 girls with shirt boards and peel n' seal ULINE t-shirt bags, not super cost effective, I know.

-- Tina

Flint, I assume that is their method now.

"you don't need a hook for the worms to dance."

Submitted by Tyrko on Sun, 10/02/2011 - 13:11

Thanks everyone for the advice, those flip n' fold things are awful. They don't fold "tight" enough, and often times you make a mess of the shirt trying to put it in the bag.

Brun, thanks. I"ve seen this before, and wondered, I may just buy one to try. If its made by hoopmaster, it can't be that bad.

Thanks all.

Submitted by Flint54 on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 09:17

We made our own based on the Hoopmaster design, made it adjustable and it works very well. The arms really help in putting the bag over the folded shirt.

Submitted by Eric on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 13:17

I have a Nedco with the bagger. nedcofold.com

I don't want to say I regret buying it, because it works flawlessly. However, I really don't have enough work to justify it, We do more folding than bagging, as with the whole "go green" movement, bagging has kinda fallen by the wayside. Sometimes I can go for days without even turning it on.

It also requires 2 people. A loader, and a bagger/unloader, so for what you pay the 2 operators to run it, could you just pay them to fold manually? Look at the numbers before you decide.

Submitted by Gilligan on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 13:44

Eric wrote:

It also requires 2 people. A loader, and a bagger/unloader, so for what you pay the 2 operators to run it, could you just pay them to fold manually? Look at the numbers before you decide.

I was wondering this myself... now if you have the volume I'm sure this machine can operate faster than the same two people can manually... but you have to have the volume to justify it AND the labor.

"you don't need a hook for the worms to dance."

Submitted by Eric on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 14:10

Gilligan wrote:
I was wondering this myself... now if you have the volume I'm sure this machine can operate faster than the same two people can manually... but you have to have the volume to justify it AND the labor.

No doubt, the machine is way faster than manual. However, you do need the volume, there are very few jobs where we say "thank god we have the machine" the majority of our fold/bag requests are by sport/pro shops or schools, and places like that. So the orders aren't generally massive. They are usually in the few hundred pieces range. Sure the folder can accomplish the task in a fraction of the time, but you need volume.

Most people just look at the 2 salaries of the employees and say, do you pay more in salary than the price of the machine in one yea? They seldom realize that the machine doesn't run itself. It needs 2 people PLUS the price of the machine. So its really, do you pay more in salary on 5 or 6 people than the price of the machine in a year?

At least thats how I gauge, it. Honestly, on folding its such a small part of my business that I almost don't even consider it profit. I generally break even, and if there is profit, its small.

Submitted by arrowembroidery on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 06:41

Eric you are so true. Automatic Machines need people to run them, then they have maintenance costs and a lot of other overhead costs. So If you have to put 10 people to pack the t-shirts each day from 9 to 5, then go for a machine otherwise its really fine.

_______________________

In love with digital stitching....:)

mary52asap's picture
Submitted by mary52asap on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 09:44

Tyrko wrote:
Hi all,

I was wondering how you all deal with customers that want things individually folded and bagged? We originally said to customers that we didn't do it, and it was basically their problem. However, due to constant demand (nagging, lol) we started doing it, and realized most customers are willing to pay a premium for it. Now, that many customers want things folded, its getting hard.

Right now our folder is 3 girls with shirt boards and peel n' seal ULINE t-shirt bags, not super cost effective, I know. I can buy an automated folder/bagger from M&R, but to the tune of almost $30,000 ... does anyone know of a happy-medium?

Appreciate anyone's advice.
:)

-- Tina

I always fold individually, reflected in embroidery piece price. Unbag & rebag (their bags) add $.50. Cutter & Buck should be more. They will think twice about it. Your bags/fold is very nice of you, just make sure you aren't doing it for free!

Submitted by arrowembroidery on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 16:37

you're right...whatever it's going to be, it shouldn't be free ;)

_______________________

In love with digital stitching....:)

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