Relocating a production or manufacturing line is a significant business event and, as such, requires a partner with a proven track record, expertise and equipment to accomplish it efficiently and safely.
In this factory relocation guide, we explain how to relocate a production line within the UK or across Europe, identify the primary stages required to deliver a successful move and explain what qualities to look for when selecting your industrial machinery relocation and installation partner.
The Three Primary Stages Of A Successful Production Line Relocation Project Are:
1. Project drivers and context
Before a production line relocation project begins, internal teams and external relocation partners need to understand the rationale behind the move. Understanding why the move is being carried out can help to plan it correctly, ensuring the prioritisation of important aspects of the move.
Perhaps it forms part of a broader expansion programme or a full or partial factory reconfiguration project, there may have been a change in strategic priorities, or it’s been decided that production lines must move overseas to access a specific market or skill. Whatever the reason, this commercial context is critical to ensuring a shared and clear sense of purpose among all stakeholders.
2. Engage key stakeholders
Throughout the factory relocation process, it’s imperative that you engage all stakeholders who will be impacted. From your employees to clients who may experience disruptions, you need to stay in contact throughout.
Stakeholder engagement will have an impact on the process from the very beginning. Your workers will likely provide insights that inform the relocation planning process, and client concerns may mean that you alter your strategy to alleviate certain pressures.
Explain why the relocation is happening, the impact that it will likely have, and any ways you’re intending to minimise disruption. Keep on providing updates throughout, and remain open to new ideas.
3. Bring in a specialist service
While your workforce will, of course, contain various experts when it comes to the operation of your production or manufacturing line, it’s unlikely that they will have experience in dismantling, relocating and setting up the whole factory.
As a result, it’s imperative that you bring in a team of professionals early on in the process who are capable of planning and executing this move. Make sure that the partner you choose has experience in dealing with similar moves to the one you need help with, before confirming their engagement.
4. Robust project planning
As with all successful projects, considerable time and energy must be invested in the planning process. During this stage, your external partner must gain first-hand knowledge of the scope of the project, including the production line to be disassembled and moved, its size and any particular lifting and handling requirements, the final destination and whether reassembly is required. Gaining knowledge of this will likely require visiting the site and engaging certain stakeholders to understand their perspective.
This knowledge will form a detailed factory relocation plan that sets out a critical path. This includes:
- The project’s key stages or milestones
- The timescales involved
- Estimates on any downtime required
- The resources required
- The specialist equipment to be deployed
- The associated costs
We know that a production line relocation may be a relatively small part of a much larger project, such as a factory redesign or relocation, so close communication is necessary at every stage. This ensures broader macro factors can be factored into the plan and changes made if required.
A dedicated project manager should be available throughout the planning stage, to liaise with your in-house team on all aspects of the move and make it their business to understand key performance indicators and project deliverables. These deliverables will remain at the forefront of the operation at all times, driving the process from start to finish.
5. Risk assessment
A critical element that will run alongside the planning process is risk assessment. Mistakes in a project as big as a complete factory relocation can be catastrophic, and you and your factory moving team need to take time to consider what might go wrong, and what steps you can take to mitigate the damaging effects of these potential events.
You’ll need to carry out site surveys, potentially seeking specialist advice for additional assistance. Even a tiny slip-up in these kinds of operations can result in huge unnecessary costs, not to mention the substantial risk of injury or death. All risk assessment documentation must be stored in a centralised location, for both practical and regulatory reasons.
6. Careful project implementation.
Implementation of a production line relocation plan requires the right blend of experience, people power, and equipment. No part of that process should be taken lightly, whether aspects surrounding the actual transportation of your heavy and vulnerable assets or the reassembly of these assets at their point of arrival.
Your specialist machinery mover will come to the site, dismantling key infrastructure as safely and efficiently as possible. These assets will then be loaded up and transported to their final destination. Here, they will be unloaded and installed, all according to an in-depth factory relocation checklist.
The planning stage will have identified all aspects of the move, and you should have created a detailed step-by-step method statement, completed with risk assessments, for all parties to follow.
What Qualities Should You Look For When Selecting A Product Line Relocation Partner?
Choosing the right partner is vital to the success of a production line relocation project. You need to ensure that your partner’s technical capacity and operational experience aligns with your own operational requirements, and this means taking the time to research the field thoroughly.
At AIS Vanguard, we have earned an enviable reputation as leading machinery movers. As a family-owned independent company, we offer national and international industrial services, including machinery installation and equipment removal, mechanical and electrical support, technical and heavy lifting expertise, CDM, and project management.
With more than four decades of experience, we know the most essential qualities to look for when choosing a production line relocation partner. These are:
- Project management experience – A partner with project management experience has numerous benefits. With so much to consider when disassembling, relocating, and reassembling business-critical equipment, your partner must be adept at managing multi-faceted work programmes and delivering projects successfully, safely, on time, and on budget.AIS Vanguard has been delivering production line relocation projects across the UK and within Europe for decades with the help of partner AIS Eurelo. Our professional approach and experience in production line relocation means you can be confident of a smooth transition– even if production needs to continue during a plant relocation or factory reconfiguration.
- Proven track record – A proven track record guarantees that your chosen partner is experienced in the field and can draw on their past learnings and best practices. Experienced and specialist relocation partners can advise on the best way to approach the project safely. At AIS Vanguard, we have moved production and manufacturing lines within the UK and across European borders for clients in sectors as varied as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, energy and defence. Our team is highly skilled and experienced.
- Scalable resource – A production relocation project may be a one-off job or part of a more comprehensive change programme. At AIS Vanguard, we have the expertise to scale up as required and can support a phased approach to production line relocation as part of a factory relocation. Plus, where projects require equipment to be moved across European borders, we can call on the support of our sister business, AIS EURELO.
- A highly trained and diverse team – Every project has unique considerations and can require different expertise. The right partner will offer access to an expert team, including project managers, riggers, electricians, welders, and specialist lifters, so we can choose the right blend of skilled personnel for each job.
- Expertise – Expertise in all aspects of the job is a must. At AIS Vanguard, we understand that relocating production line equipment requires a blend of skills; that’s why our team has expertise in all stages, from overall project management to technical expertise in decommissioning, disconnecting and dismantling machines to lifting, packing, loading, transportation, offloading and reinstallation in a new location. Choose a partner that can demonstrate excellence in all aspects of the project.
- Access to a wholly owned fleet of specialist moving and lifting equipment – Working in factory environments is challenging, and it can determine the suitable equipment. At AIS Vanguard, we’ve invested in a fleet of specialist moving and lifting equipment so clients always have access to the right tool for the job, and because it’s wholly owned, we can deploy assets to where they’re needed quickly. The AIS fleet includes Megalift hydraulic gantry systems and cranes suitable for heavy machinery relocation and complex technical lifts.
- Commitment to health and safety – Your production line relocation project partner must prioritise health and safety at every stage. At AIS Vanguard, we operate to the highest levels of health and safety and operate a zero-accident culture.
- Commitment to minimising downtime – Relocating heavy industrial equipment can be time-consuming and costly. At AIS, we understand that any lost time results in lower outputs. Hence, our machinery removal teams operate outside traditional hours and at weekends, where required, to ensure we meet deadlines and keep downtime to a minimum throughout your machinery relocation project. Rigorous project planning also helps to minimise downtime and ensure the team understands all your commercial drivers.
Whatever the reason for a machinery relocation project, choosing the right partner is essential. At AIS Vanguard, we are the UK’s leading machinery movers and have the expertise, track record, resources, and equipment to complete the job safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively every time.
Contact us to see how we can support your next production or manufacturing line relocation project.