Moving any sort of heavy equipment is a challenge that needs careful planning and the right resources if it is going to be achieved successfully.
Here is a look at how to find the right partner to help you achieve your aim and work out a logistical solution that helps you transport your items safely to their chosen destination.
There is an overview of some of the key questions you need to ask before making your choice of logistics partner, including verifying credentials and checking insurance cover, plus some other useful tips to help the process go as smoothly as possible.
Up to the task
If you are searching for industrial movers there are several fundamental aspects that you want to cover as part of your vetting process and although budget is always an important consideration you will also want answers to several other key points on your checklist.
A basic but vital point to confirm straight away is whether they have the necessary credentials to be able to do the task competently and efficiently.
Industrial equipment comes in all shapes and sizes and can often pose challenges such as uneven weight distribution, which is why you need to find someone who has the required credentials, lifting equipment, transportation solution and expertise to be able to deal with the moving task with ease.
Ask for referrals from existing customers and ask plenty of questions so that you can gauge from the answers you get whether your chosen mover is up to the task.
Check licenses and insurance levels
Another couple of key pointers that you need to confirm are whether they are any licensing requirements for moving industrial equipment between states and when they exceed a certain size or weight.
You don’t want an issue where the transportation company doesn’t manage to handle the movement of your machinery correctly and you subsequently discover that they don’t have the right permits or insurance cover to allow you to make a valid claim.
It is never wise to assume any of these issues, so ask for written confirmation that they are fully licensed and insured to move your equipment and compensate you if anything happens to go wrong during the process.
Breakdown of costs
Budget restrictions might end up dictating how you approach the project of moving your industrial machinery and equipment, but if these items are critical to your business and need to arrive safely and undamaged at the end of their journey, you don’t want to risk cutting corners and leave anything to chance.
If you get several detailed estimates from a shortlist of movers you should soon be able to compare costs and work out if the price is competitive because they want your business but have the expertise you are looking for, or they come out at the lowest price for reasons that you are not comfortable with.
Once you know exactly what is needed to move your equipment successfully and professionally, this will help you to identify the right mover based on quality and price rather than price alone.
Ask about an audit
You should find that a number of specialist movers of equipment and machinery will go beyond transporting your items.
Many will offer a complete service, which means they will carry out an audit at the onset and before dismantling and preparing the items for transportation. Their quote should include the cost of doing this preparatory work plus packaging it safely for moving and then re-assembling at the other end.
It is important that you carry out your own inventory and confirm the current condition of your machinery before it’s moved from its existing location. Liaise with the mover to confirm that you are both on the same page and agree on the condition before the removal and transporting process gets under way.
It would be a smart move to take some photographic evidence of the current condition of your equipment beforehand so that you have something to refer to if there is any subsequent dispute or claim.
Have a plan
Despite the potential complexity of moving industrial items to a different location, the whole process has a good chance of going smoothly and without any major issues as long as you take the time and trouble to plan the event properly in every detail.
Make a checklist of all the things you need to have in place such as insurance details and any permits needed so that when the day arrives to put them on the transporter you can focus on that aspect of the task in the knowledge that everything else has been taken care of as best you can.
About the author
Tony Cygan is the Business Manager for heavy industrial rigging contractor providing rigging, relocation and dismantlement services in Mid-Atlantic region and nationally. Value-added services include transport, warehousing & storage, crating and packaging. Machine and equipment sales and liquidation services provided through A&A Machinery Sales, Inc.
