Relocating Factories Effectively

STH MOVE PROJECT

Combining the pieces into a new entity — together

During factory relocation projects, multiple actions are underway simultaneously, and the factory must operate as normally as possible to keep up with the schedules. To succeed in these projects, every team member must be on the same page to ensure smooth and safe operations. CONTINUES →

IMAGINE THIS:

The STH Move operation required moving more than 200 truckloads of machinery and materials. Hermanni Halonen (left) acted as a operation supervisor for the first time in his career. Lauri Niskanen (above) made sure of proper lifting procedures.

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In the Sustainable Technology Hub (STH) relocation project, Proactor transferred goods and equipment from Wärtsilä's old DCV factory in Vaasa to the new Sustainable Technology Hub. Proactor's professionals dismantled and assembled customers' critical manufacturing equipment during the project. The disassembly and assembly of machines and transferring goods with a total weight rising over 2000 tons succeeded without jeopardizing production.

Moving thousands of pallets of goods from one location to another and dismantling walls and doorways out of the way requires extensive attention to safety actions. From the start, Wärtsilä Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) experts and Proactor's personnel planned the best practices to complete the project in good cooperation.

CHECK THIS OUT: Jari Saaranen is proud of his team. "We hauled over three kilometers of shelves."

SECURING THE INFORMATION FLOW

Heli Ala-Nikkola was Prohoc's HSE Supervisor in the relocation project. All experts were onboarded to study the project's purpose, goals, and occupational safety rules. Occupational safety and the situation in the work areas were monitored with documented weekly safety walks. Safety matters were also reviewed in the project's regular meetings. Ala-Nikkola highlights risk assessments, made together with the employees, as an essential safety measure. "Planning together avoids information flow problems. Each participant knows the plan, responsibilities, risks, and how we manage them."

When dismantling production and assembly cells, the focus was to make sure the personnel working in the cells, customer, and Prohoc project management were involved step by step. "We went through the guidelines with the people working in the cell that would be dismantled. People in the cell next door were equally involved. The move could not endanger their safety or hinder their work", says Jari Saaranen, Prohoc's Head of Business Unit, Operation and Maintenance Services.

Safety matters were a vital topic, especially during the most hectic period of the project, when many operations were underway simultaneously. "Time is money, but you save more money by avoiding accidents that harm health, the environment, or property", emphasizes Ala-Nikkola.

CAREFUL PLANNING DAY AFTER DAY

Proactor's professionals Hermanni Halonen and Lauri Niskanen had long spells in the STH project's logistics and assembly duties. Halonen’s tasks included dismantling the cylinder head assembly line at the old factory and reassembling the same line in the new location. Niskanen was responsible for the arrangements of transporting goods from the DCV facility to STH by informing the transporters of the site's situation.

Both Proactor professionals highlight the importance of teamwork. The team had experts from various fields, and team spirit was high during the project. Halonen says they paid attention to tying down heavy loads, isolating areas, and electrical safety. "No one was alone facing a challenging situation at the site. There was always a teammate with whom to find solutions."

Sometimes plans had to be updated and changed during work. The role of teamwork was also crucial in these cases.

"We carried on careful planning day after day. If there was a need to make changes, for example, regarding lifting goods, we planned those properly from start to finish", says Niskanen.

NEW CAREER STEPS

At the project, Niskanen learned how tasks are managed on a large scale from start to finish in an environment with multiple changing factors and the critical role of high-quality documentation. He also gives credit to the Proactor's project management. "Tuukka Rainio, Tatu Hautalaakso, and Seppo Vallberg did their jobs well in our work management. Thanks to them, we could leave work matters at the workplace."

The project was a memorable experience for Halonen as he could challenge himself. At the same time, the project offered him a way to move forward in his career as a team leader. He is now the assemblers’ foreman and a contact person for the customer in another project. "I learned operating models and got to know many great professionals. Prohoc invests considerably in managerial work and employee well-being. I do my best to guide and support my team members. I want to ensure people enjoy working for us."