The Planning Gap That Stalls Industrial Equipment Relocations

When it comes to industrial equipment relocation, delays come at a high cost in both time and money. Miss a deadline, and you’re not just behind schedule; you could be looking at lost production, idle labor, and missed revenue targets.

But here’s the thing:
Most relocations don’t get delayed because of cranes, weather, or material shortages.
They get delayed because of something less visible and yet far more preventable.

The Delay You Don’t See Coming

We've executed hundreds of equipment moves across the U.S., from small line changes to full plant decommissions. And in our experience, the most common cause of delay isn’t a lack of labor or resources. It’s a lack of planning detail.

Not a bad plan.
Not a missing checklist.
But a plan that looked solid on paper ended up falling apart in the field.

That’s where the real risk lives.

Where Relocation Plans Break Down

Here are some of the most common culprits we see. They all trace back to one root cause: the assumption that “someone else” had it covered.

1. Utility Disconnect & Reconnect Gaps

• Power, air, water, and gas aren’t isolated properly.

• Shared services are interrupted unintentionally.

• Reconnection plans are vague or nonexistent.

The result? A successful move… and a machine that can’t restart.

2. No Engineered Lift Plan

• Crane size is assumed.

• Floor loading isn’t verified.

• Pick points aren’t analyzed for safety.

In tight facilities, this can result in damaged equipment or, even worse, safety incidents.

3. Pathways That Look Clear — But Aren’t

• Drawings say one thing. The site says another.

• A 30-foot roll turns into a 3-day puzzle thanks to unexpected risers, columns, or ceiling obstructions.

This one issue has delayed more “simple” moves than we can count.

4. No Clear Ownership of Commissioning

• Who’s responsible for leveling?

• Who reconnects services?

• Who signs off that it’s production-ready?

When there’s no answer, delays are inevitable. Productivity stalls. Fingers point.

What It Really Comes Down To

When every hour of downtime can cost tens of thousands of dollars, “good enough” planning simply isn’t good enough.

The real problem isn’t one technical issue. It’s an invisible gap between assumptions and execution.

That’s why, at Henke, we treat the pre-move plan like a critical deliverable, not just a formality. It’s what allows us to move with confidence — and keep our clients' timelines intact.

What Henke Industrial Does Differently

Our relocation plans go far beyond logistics:

• Pre-move utility mapping

• On-site route validation (not just drawings)

• Engineered lift plans for every job

• Defined commissioning responsibilities

• Clear communication between client, OEM, and vendors

Every detail matters. And when the plan is tight, the move looks simple because it was executed with precision.

Don’t Let Invisible Delays Derail Your Schedule

The most costly delays are the ones that never make it onto a checklist — the ones buried in assumptions and missed handoffs.

We help eliminate them before the move ever starts.

Let’s make your next relocation a model of precision, safety, and uptime.

Contact Henke Industrial to talk through your next move: (859)-757-8080 | www.henkeindustrial.com