Moving to a new manufacturing facility is not as easy as it seems. You might be aiming to improve efficiency or need more space for your manufacturing processes to take place smoothly. The process is not simple though. When it comes to heavy machinery moving and other complicated items, you need to have a plan and must hire a team for rigging. We will share important tips to remember.

Start Planning As Soon As Possible

As mentioned previously, moving to a new manufacturing facility needs to have a plan. You cannot simply think of packing your machines up, loading them onto trucks, and sending them over to a new facility. When you are planning a facility move, every minute of the planning is crucial as it will determine how the next step is going to take place.

This is especially true if you intend to continue the manufacturing process while the stuff is being shifted. The purpose of planning is to not only ensure everything goes smoothly but also foresee common issues and have a plan already for addressing them.

Another noteworthy significance of planning is that it helps you prepare mentally. If you have a vision of how it should take place, you will be able to remove any obstacles or hindrances that might prolong the process. Plus, planning also helps avoid accidents.

If you plan on moving at the last minute, you will hurry up the process, which can result in serious mishaps because a lot of preparation is required from yours and your rigging company’s end as they also need to ready their cranes and equipment. The last thing you would want is a worker getting injured and not following safety procedures. At the same time, you should also keep the investors and stakeholders on board and inform the clients about your new shipping address as well.

Keep Track Of Your Business Records And Inventory

During a move, important stuff can get lost or misplaced. No matter how detailed the entire planning is, there is always going to be a chance of something getting misplaced during the process. This does not mean that you should be careless especially when it comes to important documents and data.

While moving, you should gather your important documents and data in a box or simply upload them to your personal computer. You will also have to make sure the records are intact and organized when you move them into a new facility. If possible, try creating a backup of the most important documents as well.

It is always a wise move to have copies of the most important documents you need on an everyday basis. This is because you might not be able to access your computer for a few days until everything is set up. In the meantime, you will have copies in hand that will allow you to handle the manufacturing processes.

Choose A Team For Moving

This is going to be the most important part of the process. You will need to identify a team that you think is capable of moving things around. It might be that you think everyone is capable since the process only involves packing and moving. The fact is that the task is only going to be successful if the team is aware of the technicalities.

The best way to pick a team is by distributing responsibilities. For instance, you can ask someone to supervise and the others to make necessary arrangements for moving the equipment like hiring a rigging team and crane rentals VA. The purpose of making a team is also so that you can save time and everyone knows what they are supposed to do.

Instead of panicking and losing focus, having a team will ensure every step is followed and mistakes are avoided.

Prepare Your Layout Drawings For The New Facility

Preparing a facility layout will contribute a lot in terms of keeping everyone informed about the moving process. Because moving to a new manufacturing facility keeps everyone on their toes, it is easy to lose focus and miss out on the tiny yet important details.

This is why, if you have everything on a piece of paper, everyone is going to follow the directions and have an idea of what needs to be done next. Plus, if for some reason, you are not able to supervise the process, the drawing will help the team guide you in the right direction.

Furthermore, you should also draw a layout of the new manufacturing facility. This helps you plan way and gives you a crystal-clear idea of what needs to go where. Instead of running into surprises, you will be in a lot better position to make precise and accurate decisions.

Audit Your Machines And Equipment

It is best to assess the current condition of your machines and record them before they are moved to a new facility. This is an important factor if you plan on hiring a company that helps you move. The reason is that sometimes the employees belonging to the moving company tend to be careless with the shifting.

As a result, when the machines or equipment are unloaded in the new facility, there might be cracks or damage. If you did not assess the machines before moving, you might not be able to argue the damage with the moving company. That said, you should take photos and inform the moving company that you are recording as well.

The last thing you would want is to discover a machine that does not work anymore and you have to get rid of it shortly after the move. Such unexpected situations can result in extremely frustrating issues. So, you need to be a step ahead and make sure your machines are safely transported.

Keep An Eye On The Movement

Your responsibility does not end once the equipment has been loaded onto the trucks. It starts here and will end once every machine is unloaded and installed ensuring smooth functioning. Instead of asking someone to supervise the moving process, you should personally keep an eye on the movement.

Some states require permits to move manufacturing equipment. If the stuff needs to be moved through narrow streets or busy roads, you will need to be as close to the vehicles as possible. You can encounter many unexpected situations during the process and you will need to handle them instead of relying on someone who cannot.

Install And Test Your Equipment

Finally, once you have moved to the new facility, you should be careful and take your time unloading and installing the equipment. Perform yet another audit to ensure everything was transported safely and there are no issues that need to be dealt with before installing the equipment.

Then, proceed with installing the machinery and testing. Make sure that you include two or three days for the testing of the equipment. If you are already short on time, you will make mistakes by not following the protocols. This will result in damages that could have been easily avoided.

So, it is always wise to take your time and not hurry the process to avoid panic and costly mistakes.

Conclusion

Moving to a new manufacturing facility surely triggers excitement but not if you are careless with following the basic standards. The tips mentioned above are tried and tested and will keep you and your team safe as you move in. You should always consult rigging services MD and be a step ahead to clear any obstacles or complications. This is the only way for you to complete your move with as few mistakes as possible.