Planning an Industrial Relocation

Industrial Plant Moving and Commercial Relocations

Industrial moves present a wide range of logistical challenges. In fact, they are typically the most complex projects when compared to other commercial relocations. In addition to basic items such as tables, desks, chairs, and office equipment from the administrative branch, an industrial move includes assets from the operations branch such as large, heavy, and oddly shaped equipment.

There may be hazardous materials and other chemicals like fuels, solvents, and lubricants used with industrial machines and equipment that must be treated with great care and within specific regulations. Some machinery and devices in industrial operations can be highly sensitive and easily damaged.

It is critical that a company planning a move follows a well-defined process for industrial plant relocation.

Industrial Plant Relocation

1. Partner with an experienced specialty packaging, crating, and shipping company. A complex industrial relocation needs a project partner and a trusted source of knowledge and skill. In addition, ensure the quoted fee is commensurate with their experience. If the quote is so low that it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Once you have signed a contract with a service provider, partner with them on each of the remaining steps.
2. Create a map of the new location and where each asset will be positioned. Work with the blueprints for the best detail. In fact, a professional drafter is preferred. The largest, most expensive, and complex assets will take a considerable amount of time to prepare.
3. Create a relocation timeline. This means factoring in time for disconnecting, disassembling, prepping, and crating machinery and equipment. The reverse will be true at the new location. The success of an industrial relocation depends on methodically following the correct sequence of activities.
4. Draft a detailed inventory checklist. It is absolutely crucial to have a comprehensive checklist of every item that will be handled by the specialty crating and shipping company. The company will need it for insurance purposes as well. It may seem obvious if a particular item gets left behind or misplaced in the move, but in the new location with crews working to get operations reestablished, it may not be so easy to determine that items are missing.
5. Make arrangements with utility providers. Will services like power or water need to be shut off while equipment is being installed and prepared for restarting? Or turned on when you take possession of the property? If so, those arrangements should be made with plenty of lead time.
6. Use insights from internal experts to prepare key assets for transport. Partner with the engineers and maintenance crews to develop plans for the move.
7. Write up instructions for contractors and others. Although this takes considerable time to accomplish, this step saves tremendous time down the road. It also saves on headaches.
   Third-party service providers may not be familiar with your operations, yet they must become very familiar with each aspect of the industrial relocation.
8. Prepare the path the assets will take from their origin to their destination. Doors may need to be removed, or other structural accommodations may be necessary. Flooring surfaces may need modification. Some large machines and equipment will need permits for travel on public roads.
9. Take precautions with hazardous materials. Industrial plant relocations sometimes involve hazardous materials. Understand the properties of the materials being transported and handle them according to regulations. The specialty crating and shipping company you’re using should have expertise in “hazmat” shipping.
10. 10. Execute the move and perform post-move inspections. The relocation may take place all at once or in phases. Be prepared to perform post-move inspections to ensure all actions have been executed and the assets have been installed correctly in the new location.

Collaborate With Alliance Relocation Services

Alliance Relocation Services has the packaging engineers on staff to ensure a proper, efficiently managed industrial relocation. These trained professionals have extensive expertise in how to design custom packaging that can ensure the safe transportation of different types of items. It’s important that you and your team work closely with the engineer, as the information you provide about your assets is essential to the packaging strategy they develop.

Ultimately, with the assistance of the right service provider and the appropriate amount of preparation, you can execute an efficient and error-free industrial plant relocation. Contact Alliance Relocation Services for more information on how we partner with our clients on industrial relocations.