APS eyes booming online retailers with machinery hire service

The company began offering its Freespace bagging system and AirPouch void fill system through HSS Hire’s ‘One Call’ service last month.

The launch of the service is a response to the growth in numbers of small online retailers who do not have the infrastructure to deal with rushes in orders or whose business may be occasional.

According to Malvern-based APS, the service makes it possible for a single operator to sort and bag products at up to 25 bags per minute.

“While the online shopping phenomenon remains buoyant despite the recession and the UK’s online marketplace continues to be a breeding ground for thousands of small businesses, there are some big challenges for companies buying in bulk and splitting down,” the company said.

“It’s clear that the slow pace of handling, sorting and packaging products can cause critical failure and result in unfulfilled orders.”

Although the HSS link-up is aimed at the growing number of online retailers, it comes amid a trend for increased leasing or hire of machinery as the credit crunch makes capital investment harder for companies.

Printing press manufacturer KBA’s head office in German has begun promoting its machinery leasing service that is run in association with Deutsche Leasing, which has branches across the world.

In a statement, KBA said that leasing had the benefit of providing liquidity for a firm without it appearing on the balance sheet.

Sealed Air, meanwhile, has also highlighted the role of leasing in keeping new equipment supply buoyant.

Speaking at last year’s Emballage show in Paris, Hélios Ruiz, marketing director for Sealed Air’s European shrink-packaging business, said that enquiries for leasing machinery rather than buying it were booming due to the credit crunch.