Guide to planning a successful factory move
Whether you need to disassemble a steel structure and reassemble it at your new premises, or you need complex machinery disassembled and recommissioned, this can serve as a template to plan your move.
Factory Move Guide
Moving premises can be an extremely disruptive time for any factory owners and managers, but if planned and executed with precision, expectations, costs and time to full capacity can be planned to the day. Every move is different and requires much discussion, planning and input before a plan is drawn up but this will serve as a guide to the main considerations to plan and execute a successful factory move.
A move that is not planned with meticulous attention to detail can result in very costly delays, resulting in loss of earnings or a worst case scenario, lost or damaged equipment. This guide is a simple, step by step guide that our riggers, logistics personnel and project managers use to effectively plan a factory move. We hope it will help you plan your move and as always, we stand ready to assist you at any time.
Assessment of existing machinery to be moved out of the old premises
In this stage of the assessment process, it is essential to evaluate the following:
- Establish the whereabouts of any drawings of the building/s with load restrictions of the slab
- Expertise required to decommission the machinery
- Weight of the machinery
- Access for lifting equipment
- Footprint of the machine for lowbed transport planning
- Establish the order and timing for machinery delivery at new premises to optimize installation process
Budget and timeline planning
Once the above has been established we need to plan:
- Availability and cost of the lifting and transport equipment required
- Availability and cost of decommissioning expertise
- Timing of the delivery of machinery
- Communication plan preparation and presentation
- Preparation of documents for any permits, clearances and road closures with the relevant council
- Detailed planning of requirements of equipment
- Mobile cranes and crane trucks
- Forklifts and rigging equipment
- Gantries for loading heavy loads onto Lowbeds
- Lowbed load capacity trailer planning
- Rigging equipment required (slings, chains, jack and slide etc)
Packaging requirements
In many cases, sensitive equipment or components require expert packaging prior to loading.
- Labelling components and machinery to optimize use of time and resources when reassembling machinary
- Supervision of planned loading to ensure correct and legal weight distribution on the trucks or trailers
Offloading and placement or storage
Establish a staging area at the new premises to offload labelled machinery and components in the order in which they will be assembled and installed in the new premises. This will help to minimize any delays and enable a well planned and executed factory move.
Ensure skilled technicians are on site when the machinery is being re-assembled and commissioned.
Always check with the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) what warranty requirements and pre commissioning testing needs to be done.
We have worked closely with engineers from OEM’s from around the World to ensure that factories and manufacturing plant and machinery are installed and commissioned to OEM specifications.
Post move evaluation, testing and final commissioning
All stake holders, from technical staff to management and administration must be involved in the assessment of the success of the move. This is not only an incredibly important part of making staff feel involved and their opinions and input valued, but an important barometer for what the future workings and processes of the factory may be.
Administration offices and equipment
Space planning and office interior design may necessitate the lifting and rigging of items like large printers, safes, filing systems and cabinets or even large boardroom tables. If it needs transporting and lifting, it needs to be planned and executed by sufficiently qualified people like riggers and installers. Suppliers may insist that their engineers/technicians attend on site to recommission equipment and add it onto the network to maintain the licenses and warranty.
Factory and plant relocation services
Steel structure relocation
Disassembling, transport and reassembly of large steel structures is a service that we pride ourselves on as being extremely good at and very well priced. Cranehire SA has mkoved many thousands of square meters of factory structures since the early 1990’s
Let us quote to move and reconstruct your steel structure, be it a small warehouse or large logistics facility or even an entire manufacturing plant. Our riggers and engineers are highly experienced and have crane trucks, rigging equipment, gantries and mobile cranes at the ready. We offer a complete turnkey service.
Committed to providing exceptional Machine Moving & Rigging services,
Safely and on budget.
Machine Moving and Rigging
Safely Navigating the Challenge of Heavy Machinery Relocation
Moving heavy machinery is a complex and demanding task that requires careful planning, specialized equipment, and skilled operators. Whether relocating a single piece of equipment within a facility or transporting it to a new location, the process of machine moving and rigging involves a series of well-coordinated steps to ensure both the safety of personnel and the integrity of the machinery being moved. There are essential equipment requirements and safety measures that must be adhered to during the operation to achieve a safe relocation.
Planning and Assessment
Before initiating any machine moving and rigging operation, thorough planning and assessment are crucial. A team of experienced professionals, including engineers and rigging experts, must evaluate the machinery, the path of movement, and the destination site. Key factors to consider include the machine’s weight, dimensions, center of gravity, and potential obstacles along the route. This preliminary analysis will form the basis for developing a comprehensive moving strategy.
Specialized Equipment
To execute a successful machine moving and rigging operation, a range of specialized equipment is essential. These may include:
Mobile Cranes & Crane Trucks
Hydraulic cranes with varying load capacities are the workhorses of machine moving. They can lift and transport heavy equipment efficiently and come in different types, such as mobile cranes, crawler cranes, and tower cranes.
Forklifts
Forklifts are ideal for handling machinery that requires short-distance movement or repositioning within a facility. They are particularly useful for indoor operations where space may be limited.
Skates and Rollers
These equipment pieces help in moving heavy machinery smoothly across flat surfaces, minimizing friction and making it easier to navigate tight spaces.
Hydraulic Jacks
Hydraulic jacks can lift machinery slightly to insert skates or rollers underneath, facilitating the movement process.
Transport Trailers
Heavy-duty transport trailers are necessary for moving machinery over longer distances. Depending on the weight and dimensions of the equipment, specialized trailers such as flatbed trailers, lowbeds, and extendable trailers may be required.
Safety Measures
Safety is of paramount importance in any machine moving and rigging operation. Here are some essential safety measures that must be implemented:
Training and Certification
All personnel involved in the operation, including riggers, crane operators, and forklift drivers, should be well-trained and certified for their respective roles.
Safety Gear
Proper personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, gloves, and high-visibility clothing, should be worn by everyone present at the site.
Secure Rigging
Rigging equipment, including slings and shackles, must be inspected regularly and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Adequate padding and protection should be provided to prevent damage to the machinery during lifting and movement.
Clear Communication
Effective communication between team members is vital to avoid accidents. Hand signals and radios can help maintain clear communication between operators during the operation.
Permits and Regulations
Compliance with local regulations and obtaining necessary permits, especially for oversize or overweight loads, is essential to ensure legal and safe transportation.
