Machinery Moving
We provide professional moving of industrial & manufacturing machinery from within a single geographic location through to a full cross-continental relocation to a new site. Our skilled in-house teams of project managers, mechanical & electrical engineers, riggers and lifting support staff are highly experienced in delivering moves that prioritise safety while minimising disruption to production.
At AIS VIG Industrial, our experienced team are experts when it comes to machinery relocation, moving equipment and heavy machinery within the UK and across the globe for our clients.
Leaders In
Machinery Moving Projects
Our qualified machinery moving specialists have decades of unparalleled experience moving a wide range of machinery and equipment across many industry and commercial sectors. We offer a complete service to enable our clients to safely move machinery within an existing factory or to a new geographic location.
For all machinery moves carried out, you will initially be assigned a Contracts Manager who will first conduct a site visit to evaluate your project, review access routes and identify any potential risks.’ The Contract Manager will work with our Operations team to agree on and produce a Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) for submission and approval prior to commencing your project. Depending on the scope of works, our documentation could also include Contract Lift Plans for any heavy lifting or be delivered through a CDM or Principal Contractor role.
As a UK-based leading machinery moving company, we prioritise health & safety standards and are fully compliant with LOLER and PUWER regulations. Any required lifts are carried out with all lifting safety certifications, along with a Lift Plan and risk assessment & method statement (RAMS). We can remove redundant equipment and install new state-of-the-art machinery, all with strict adherence to safety and any possible cross-contamination standards.
State-of-the-art Machinery Moving And Lifting Equipment
Our ongoing investment in the latest lifting equipment has made it possible for us to move and lift heavy machinery with greater safety and efficiency. In addition to improving safety and avoiding potential hazards or damage to machinery, our specialist lifting equipment and transportation fleet means we’re able to carry out any complex relocations efficiently, which enables us to minimise any disruption to existing production.
- Dedicated A-Frame & Versa-Lifts
- JMG MC160 – 16T & 3T Pick and Carry (all electric)
- Valla 120E mobile pick and carry cranes with a lifting capacity of 12T (all electric)
- Overhead cranes
- Hydraulic jacking systems
- Fully equipped tackle vans
Minimising Production Downtime
National Machinery Moves
Relocation of heavy machinery from one site to another within a single country.
Global Machinery Moves
Proven Machinery Removal And Installation Specialists
Specialist Lift And Shift Transportation Services
When it comes to industrial services, lift and shift operations are among the most critical for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of heavy equipment and machinery. These services involve the use of specialised equipment and trained personnel to safely and effectively transport large, heavy items from one location to another. Whether it’s moving a single piece of machinery or an entire production line, our specialist lift and shift services can help ensure that the process is completed without incident.
We strive to ensure that all lift & shift services are carried out methodically, prioritising safety and operational efficiency for our clients. Our in-house teams of lift & shift mechanical engineers and riggers carry out safe and efficient lift & shift services throughout the UK and overseas.
Full health & safety and equipment certifications are provided for every lift & shift we do, along with supporting risk assessments & method statements ahead of any lifting.
Types of Life And Shift Services
We carry out several different types of specialist lifting & shifting services, depending on our client’s production layout and location.
- Rigging and Lifting
This type of service involves the use of specialised rigging equipment to safely lift and transport heavy items. This can include everything from cranes and slings to winches and hoists.
- Heavy Hauling
This type of service involves the use of specialised transport equipment to move heavy items over long distances using our own in-house transport fleet.
- Machinery Moving
This type of service involves the use of specialised lifting equipment and techniques to move large & heavy machinery. For machinery moves, we carry out full disconnections & dismantling, transportation, and reassembly by our team of mechanical & electrical engineers.
Health and Safety
Safety is our top priority for all lift & shift services for our clients. Depending on the specific lift & shift requirement, a member of our team will carry out a site visit to understand the particular requirements of your machinery move and a total lift plan will be compiled by our operations team.
All of our lifting teams and equipment are kept up to date & compliant with LOLER & PUWER regulations, and the lift & shift will follow a set lifting plan to ensure property safety of machinery, equipment & people is maintained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specialist equipment is used for heavy machinery moving in confined spaces?
Moving heavy machinery in tight factory environments requires precision equipment. We utilise Versa-Lift forklifts with extendable counterweights, hydraulic gantry systems for vertical lifting where overhead space is limited, and air-film movers or machine skates for horizontal transit. This allows us to manoeuvre assets weighing up to 50 tonnes through narrow gangways and under low-hanging mezzanines without compromising safety.
How do you protect factory floors during the machinery moving process?
Floor protection is a critical part of our method statement. We perform point-loading calculations to ensure the subfloor can support the weight. To prevent damage to epoxy resins or concrete, we use load-spreading steel plates, heavy-duty nylon-wheeled skates, or non-marking tyres on our lifting fleet. This ensures that your facility remains in excellent condition throughout the move.
Do you provide a 'Banksman' or 'Slinger Signaller' for machinery moving projects?
Yes. All AIS VIG Industrial machinery moving operations are supervised by CPCS-qualified personnel. This includes an Appointed Person to plan the move and a Slinger Signaller (Banksman) to direct the lifting equipment and ensure the safety of the surrounding workforce. This level of supervision is a standard part of our commitment to LOLER and PUWER compliance.
The responsiveness and professionalism of the VIG office in managing the project, the crane company and issuing very comprehensive RAMS was extremely helpful in enabling the potentially high risk works to be approved by the safety officers within the end user client at this critically important site. Thanks to you and all your Team for managing the Lift & Shift and Crane Lift works professionally, safely and efficiently. I look forward to undertaking the next stage of works with you all.
Managing Director Health Sector