5 Actions That Will Make Moving Your Manufacturing Facility Easier
There are many reasons you might decide to move a manufacturing operation to a new facility. The need for more space, better tax incentives in another city or closer proximity to a skilled workforce are just a few examples. It is not a decision that should be taken lightly, however. There are numerous factors that can impact a move and as many considerations that you must take into account. Being proactive and following clear steps will help smooth the transition.
1. Carefully Review the Decision to Relocate
Before you make your decision public, make sure it is the right thing to do. Talk with department heads and managers who will be impacted by the move and get their input. Make sure to examine the risks, legal issues, resource demands and any changes the move to a new facility will require. If you are still sure about it, you are ready to share the news.
2. Clearly Communicate Your Decision
You don’t want people to find out about your move through gossip. This is especially true for employees, customers and suppliers. Prepare an internal memo that can be shared simultaneously with stakeholders to minimize speculation. Hold a staff meeting to share the decision with the staff. Leave time for them to ask questions and be sure to address any concerns. Distributing press releases to local news outlets in your current and future locations will help raise community awareness about the change.
3. Develop a Layout for Your New Facility
Have engineers and contractors go over the new location and design a layout that meets your current manufacturing needs but also allows for growth. This will be easiest now that the buildings are empty and there is no production going on.
4. Arrange for Equipment To Be Moved
Moving large manufacturing equipment can be a difficult task and it is one that is best left to specialists. Have each piece carefully wrapped, crated and moved according to best practices. In some cases, you may need to use heavy machinery storage while you transition from one location to another.
5. Run a Full Test Before You Ramp Up Production
Take the time to run a test on each piece of equipment as it is delivered and uncrated. Once everything has been placed into the new facility, run a test on each line a final time to be certain you are ready to get up and running.
Despite the variables involved, there are some steps that will help make each move go as smoothly as possible. Be clear about your intentions and take precautions to protect delicate equipment so that you can begin production in your new facility as quickly as possible.
6. Consider more automation to your manufacturing facility
Automation is the key to make more production, higher quality, more consumer products and choices, and clever participation in the slowing economy, without laying off workers working on industrial automation companies. Relocating production facility is a perfect time to draw new designs to reengineer the process and implant automation components. Lessons from businesses about automation are available at your hand. Announcing your manufacturing videos drive more business.
About the Author: Jawad Alalawi
Information Technology Professional specialized in Financial Payment Services, Risk Management, Information Security, and Compliance. Experienced in solutions development and implementation, and technology writer.
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