Relocation of Factories

Moving factories, or factory equipment, can be challenging due to restrictive spaces or lack of easy access. Often the decommissioning, loading and moving are a logistical obstacles for clients, not to mention the recommissioning so that they can get production back on schedule.

We make this process more simple for our clients by offering a full service rigging solution along with an expert logistics crew to ensure that we mechanically dismantle, rig out, transport, relocate, and reinstall your equipment, including milling machines, printing equipment, chillers, production lines, boilers, weighbridges, presses, tanks, containers and more.

This process includes the decommissioning and recommissioning of your machinery which is taken apart and put back together correctly and efficiently, so that you can keep your production schedule on course to make sure you meet your deadlines.

Transport to new premises is handled by our experienced team so that your factory components are safely and securely transported by our crew, ensuring that you can have peace of mind.

We ensure efficient re-installation to minimise your downtime and maximise your production.

Dunlop Howick

What was the project?

The project involved cranage, rigging and movement of a 65tonne China rubber moulding press, and 4 x 12tonne presses between the Rema Tip Top building to the Compression1 buildings on-premises.

This meant that there was extensive stripping of the presses to reduce their mass and facilitate smoother transport on lowbeds.

What major equipment was used for the installation?

The equipment used in the project were two heavy lift crane trucks operating in tandem, as well as a 7tonne and 10tonne forklift and multiple heavy duty hydraulic jacks.

What obstacles were there at the factory?

From the images below, it can be seen that the Chinapress only stands over 8m high, but is comprised by heavy platen sections and vertical stanchion in the floor cavities. Historically, the original Dunlop factory buildings only had a 6m asbestos roof height, which makes it complicated for the cranes to operate within the roof height constraints.

How were these overcome?

The solution to this challenging constraint was to strip and loosen the bolts. These sections were systematically lifted out by two heavy lift crane trucks operating in tandem. Thereafter, the presses were moved by two forklifts into an external loading position.

The asbestos roof in Compression 1 has been removed to a dedicated and licenced scrapyard for destruction. A new raised roof section has been fabricated to accommodate the re-assembled Chinapress, which has been craned in through an opened roof with a 100t mobile crane.

What time period did the project take?

This project took 7 days with a double rigging crew working continuously until completion.

If you want to ensure your factory relocation project runs smoothly and you get back to production efficiently, contact us to plan your next project.