3 Reasons Site Surveys Are Essential For Your Next Lift And Shift Machinery Project

Understanding Bespoke Service Requirements

Successful project outcomes are the result of careful preparation.

Meticulous project planning is one of the attributes we pride ourselves on and our 200-strong European team undertakes extensive preparatory work before each and every project.

Whether it’s moving a small piece of equipment within a manufacturing facility in France or relocating an automotive production line across three countries from Germany to Latvia, planning is key.

At AIS Eurelo, site surveys are always carried out as the very first step of the planning process.  It’s a valuable exercise as it allows us to understand clients’ bespoke service requirements, get closer to clients and their goals  and develop a bespoke lift and shift plan.

Site surveys are crucial to our work for three primary reasons:

1.Understand your operational drivers

Although this is not exclusive to the site survey process, visiting your site helps us to get closer to your business and to understand the operational drivers and commercial priorities steering the project.  It also provides an opportunity to clarify the project objectives, identify any KPIs and understand budgetary and time constraints so that we can devise a machinery moving plan to meet your mission-critical requirements.

Visiting your operation allows us to understand your wider strategic priorities.  If moving one piece of equipment is the first step in a wider asset relocation programme for example, our movers may be able to recommend a more expedient methodology. The more context we have, the more value we can deliver.

2.Visit the space and understand the asset

To ensure the safe and efficient movement of equipment, it’s vital that our team sees the space they’ll be working in and familiarise themselves with the machinery to be moved.

Much of the equipment we move is located in factories and often in confined or congested spaces.  By having an expert mover on site during the planning phase, we can take precise measurements, identify access restrictions, pinpoint specific challenges such as movable or immovable obstacles that need addressing and recognise site specific safety considerations.

3.Develop a bespoke lift and shift plan

Using the information gathered, the project team can then develop a bespoke move plan. The plan identifies the machinery moving expertise required as well as the appropriate lifting equipment for the project.

It also sets out who the project manager is, as the single main point of contact, as well as the moving team, which could include health and safety advisors, fitters, riggers, HGV/HIAB drivers, warehouse and forklift truck operatives, and welders.

The bespoke plan also includes the risk assessments and method statements needed to ensure a safe and seamless project outcome, as well as any paperwork required for local countries in transit.  The plan is set against a timeline and explains the associated costs. 

Planning for success

At AIS Eurelo we maintain a high level of operational control at all times, giving clients complete confidence that projects irrespective of size or location will be delivered smoothly and without unexpected delays or hidden costs. This control is the result of detailed up-front planning work.

A site survey is integral to understanding clients’ bespoke service requirements and gathering the intelligence needed for a successful lift and shift project every time.

Contact Us To see how we could help your business with the safe movement of machinery and equipment