Manufacturing Facility Relocation NEWS

Manufacturing Facility Relocation NEWS
Moving your manufacturing facility can be an overwhelming undertaking. But following certain steps in the weeks before your move can help your production facility relocate without unnecessary complications or costly operational interruptions.
In addition to coordinating the physical aspects of relocating your manufacturing equipment, a steady move requires a clear, consistent and well-documented process. Following these 5 step during the planning process will not only minimize lost production time, but can also reduce expenses related to the relocation.
(1.) Review Your New Location
Develop a clear picture of the risks, resource demands, legal issues, zoning, and other requirements that the move to the new facility will entail.
Make sure the new location has sufficient resources such as power, gas, water, internet, and rail or roadway access, etc.
(2.) Communicate Your Intent to Relocate
Your company’s workers, clients, investors, inspectors and other authorities should be apprised of the relocation via internal memo, as soon as the move is a certainty. Include the new address and the expected date of completion – so that employees do not feel shrouded in mystery or uncertainty about their future.
Additionally, provide a Press Release or other formal communication for customers that clearly establishes if and how your move will or won’t affect production timetables.
(3.) Diagram the New Facility Layout
Designing the placement of your company’s equipment well before you arrive is one of the biggest keys to a smooth relocation. This can also be an excellent opportunity to reengineer the placement of your equipment to improve efficiencies.
Consider color coding rooms or departments, and labelling equipment to match. Providing movers with a map and clear cut instructions will greatly shorten your moving time, as well as help minimize your set up time.
(4.) Create a Plan for Moving Records and QMS Docs
Assemble all of your records and QMS documents from your distribution list, and prepare them for reissue at your new facility. Update your distribution list to reflect any changes in your distribution plan that will result due to the relocation.
This step should include a plan for moving all of your company’s records and data storage to the new facility in a secure manner to minimize any risk of losing important documents in transit. Coordinate secure data backups of your company’s records with your IT department, in case of loss, damage or disaster during the move.
(5.) Organize Identification and Traceability Requirements
Put a plan in place to ensure all of your identification and traceability requirements will be maintained before, during, and after the move – including work that will be in progress at the time of the move.
An inventory and condition check of any customer property in your possession should be maintained and tracked during the moving process to eliminate loss of customers’ materials, parts, tooling, etc.
If all of this this sounds like a lot to manage, reduce your stress and ensure a smooth transition by hiring the relocation experts at CMS. Our comprehensive, turnkey industrial relocation team can handle these tasks – and every other aspect of your move – from start to finish.
We provide state-of-the-art relocation services for manufacurting facilities large and small in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Lansing and across Southwest Michigan.
Call CMS today for a relocation consultation and see how we can ensure an efficient and well-orchestrated move that minimizes interruptions and gets your organization back to work as quickly as possible.