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How To Mitigate the 3 Biggest Risks of Pre Roll Automation Before You Go Automated

We know you’re not risk averse, seeing as you’re in the industry that doubles as the poster child for risk. But the time and place to embrace that Wild West mentality is not while automating part of your business, especially if that part impacts the end product you’re selling to consumers. That sh*t demands research, attention to detail, and lots and lots of questions.

Pre roll automation comes with the risks of adding any new piece of machinery to your business: the cost, the learning curve, and the logistics of incorporating it into your standard operating procedures (SOPs). It also promises the reward of a more efficient production that cranks out a higher volume with less labor, so if you pull it off successfully, the reward greatly outweighs the risks.

Don’t risk a failed attempt at pre roll automation. Use this guide so you know exactly which questions to ask and which details to pay attention to.

Risk #1: The Initial Investment

280E makes this one even more of a bear because, as it stands, your initial investment is not a tax write-off. Some accountants may get creative with writing off the machine’s depreciation, but your initial investment is going to be a hit to your bottom line. So, the automatic pre roll machine you invest in must do what you need it to do. Anything less, and the financial health of your business could be at risk.

The biggest way to mitigate this risk is to find a pre roll automation company that provides flexible financing options. Five years ago, that wasn’t really a thing. Fortunately, it’s becoming much more common in the industry. 

You should also consider these points:

  • How much are you currently losing by not having an automated process in place? (consider labor, any missed quotas, etc.)
  • How many pre rolls will you have to produce and sell to pay off the machine?
  • How long will it take you to do that?
  • How much will you have paid in interest by the time you pay off the machine?

Many automatic pre roll machines can produce the same volume, so that final question about interest could be one of your biggest deciding factors. If you’re comparing two machines that will both solve your problem with the same efficiency, the one that costs you the least amount of interest might ultimately be your best move.

Risk #2: The Learning Curve

Perhaps worse than purchasing a machine that doesn’t work is purchasing one that does work but is wildly involved and ends up being too complicated to use regularly.

Of course, any new machine will come with a learning curve and a need for training. But if the machine doesn’t make your life easier overall, it’s not worth it. The machine’s build and setup play a crucial role here, but so does the service provider. It’s important to know what type of training and service they provide not only at the beginning of your relationship but for the lifetime of the machine.

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Before you sign anything, consider asking them these questions:

  • How much time is there between signing the contract and having the machine up and running?
  • What qualifications should the machine operator(s) have?
  • How many training days are included with purchase?
  • Is there a specific timeframe the trainer and/or customer service are available to you, or is support available for the lifetime of the machine?
  • Are there current customers the service provider can refer you to so you can ask them directly what they think about the support they’ve received? 

 

The initial investment is a big enough risk on its own. No need to compound it with a machine that takes weeks to months to start running when there are options available that can have you operational within a week.

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Risk #3: The Procedural Changes

This one spins off risk number two—if the machine is too complicated, your staff and your SOPs will suffer.

Your SOPs are crucial for maintaining your business, expanding it, and earning things like a GMP Certification, Organic label (once those become available to the industry), and other recognitions. If your automatic pre roll machine can’t easily be incorporated into them, your business could suffer.

Changes will need to be made regardless, but if purchasing a specific pre roll machine means changing up your entire operation, it might not be worth the risk. You want something that will streamline your SOPs, not complicate them.

Consider the same questions from risk two, as well as:

  • Does the service provider offer any guidance or help when it comes to changing your SOPs?
  • Do they have any templates or examples of SOPs with their machine that they could share?
  • How will these changes impact other parts of your business?
  • How long will it take for everything and everyone to resume normal operations once the automation has found its place in the SOPs?

Your SOPs are crucial for the future of your business, especially as we move toward federal changes. The more the feds become involved, the more they’ll want to know about how and why your business works. Additionally, if you have plans for exporting once that becomes available in the US, securing things like an EU GMP Certification will be necessary. They will want to review your SOPs as well.

Make sure whatever automatic pre roll machine you incorporate into your procedures doesn’t hurt the future plans you have for your business.

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Roll with The (Roll)Pros

While you’re researching automatic pre roll machines, pay close attention to how the machine actually creates the pre roll. Most don’t roll anything, they just stuff pre-made cones, which is not a pre roll if you ask us.

If you want legit pre rolls, check out the Blackbird by RollPros. It’s the first and only machine on the market that rolls pre rolls instead of stuffing cones, and it does so at a rate of 900 pre rolls per hour on average. Because it doesn’t require any pre-made cones, it can reduce your consumable material costs by up to 80% while simultaneously reducing your labor costs. And if that’s not enough, there are flexible financing options available for it.

The Blackbird can be up and running in your operation within one week from purchase, and we can help you seamlessly integrate it into your SOPs.

Contact RollPros today to learn more about the Blackbird and how it can boost your business.