Relocating an industrial plant isn’t just a change of address. It’s a high-stakes operation where the margin for error is razor-thin. Downtime is expensive, safety is critical, and the complexity of the move can’t be underestimated.
That’s why plant managers and operations leaders across Cincinnati turn to Fenton Rigging & Contracting. With decades of experience in complex machinery and critical infrastructure, we help companies move facilities with confidence, control, and minimal disruption.
Start with Scope, Then Build a Realistic Timeline
A successful plant relocation starts long before the first bolt is loosened. The most important early step is scoping the move in detail: what’s moving, when, and how.
Key considerations include:
- Inventorying equipment: Identify everything that needs to be relocated, including production lines, mechanical systems, mezzanines, and support equipment.
- Sequencing the move: Map out phases to limit production interruptions.
- Time constraints: Align the relocation plan with operational deadlines, seasonal uptimes, or scheduled shutdowns.
At Fenton, we help clients create phased relocation strategies that protect uptime and prevent rushed decisions later in the process.
Logistics Are More Complex Than They Look
Moving a plant means managing more than trucks and forklifts. Every relocation project demands careful coordination of permitting, rigging, transportation, and space management at the destination.
For example, we help clients with:
- Oversized equipment permitting and routing
- Rigging plans for high-value or sensitive machines
- Staging at the destination site to avoid bottlenecks
- Transport scheduling that works with production cycles
We handle all of this in-house, so you don’t have to juggle multiple contractors or worry about miscommunication. When it’s time to move, we bring the right equipment, the right crew, and a fully baked plan.
Skilled Labor Makes or Breaks a Relocation
Plant relocations require more than muscle. They demand skilled tradespeople who understand industrial systems inside and out. At Fenton, we staff relocation projects with experienced:
- Millwrights who disassemble and reassemble equipment with precision
- Rigging crews trained in high-risk, heavy machinery handling
- Field supervisors who know how to keep teams coordinated and safe
Because our crews do this work every day, we minimize the trial-and-error approach that slows down many moves. You don’t want subcontractors learning your equipment on the fly. You want professionals who get it right the first time.
Reassembly and Alignment Are Just as Critical as the Move
One of the most overlooked phases of a relocation is reinstallation. It’s not enough to get the equipment to the new site. Everything needs to be aligned, calibrated, and tested.
That’s why our plant relocation services include:
- Precision laser alignment
- Base and foundation leveling
- Drive system and component integration
- Operational testing and commissioning
This mechanical expertise ensures your team can hit the ground running as soon as production restarts, without needing to call in a second contractor to finish the job.
Timing Is Strategic, Not Just Logistical
When you move matters just as much as how you move. A plant relocation scheduled poorly can interfere with high-demand seasons, miss critical deadlines, or lead to temporary shutdowns that impact your customers.
We help clients:
- Plan during scheduled outages or production lulls
- Work in off-hours or around-the-clock shifts
- Avoid peak permit seasons and contractor shortages
The result is a smoother, more cost-effective move that supports your operation’s long-term success.
Safety Isn’t an Afterthought—It’s Built In
Relocations involve significant safety risks, especially in active facilities. At Fenton, every move is built around safety-first protocols, including:
- Pre-job hazard analysis and lift planning
- Site-specific training and compliance with OSHA standards
- Daily safety briefings and documented checklists
We’re not just protecting equipment. We’re protecting your people and ours. And we’re proud to bring a track record of zero-incident projects across the Midwest.
Local Roots. National Reach.
Fenton Rigging & Contracting has been serving Cincinnati’s industrial sector since 1898. But our capabilities extend far beyond the region.
Whether your plant is relocating across town or across the country, we bring:
- Deep experience with local permitting, infrastructure, and vendors
- The equipment and workforce to support multi-site moves
- Turnkey services that remove the need for multiple subcontractors
Our clients come from industries like manufacturing, food processing, power generation, and logistics. And they come back because we move facilities the way we move machinery: with precision and care.
Why Choose Fenton?
We’re not just another contractor. We’re a relocation partner.
Clients choose us because:
- We combine millwright, rigging, and transport expertise in one team
- We offer end-to-end relocation planning and execution
- We work fast, safe, and with a deep respect for your schedule
- We’ve been earning trust for over 125 years
Whether your project is simple or complex, local or interstate, Fenton brings clarity, confidence, and control to every step of the process.
Relocating a facility? Let’s talk.
If you’re planning a plant move, don’t wait to build the right plan. Fenton Rigging & Contracting is ready to help you scope, schedule, and execute your relocation with zero guesswork. Contact us today to get started.