Tips to Safely Move Heavy Machinery and Equipment

Safety is paramount when moving heavy machinery and equipment. Accidents, damage to the machinery, and delays are possible without careful preparation. Adhering to safety tips and guidelines, such as the ones that follow, is key to a smooth and effective relocation process.

What are types of common heavy machinery?

The range of heavy machinery and equipment is vast and numerous. Many are used in the construction industry and include forklifts, bulldozers, and wheel loaders. Trenchers, feller bunchers, excavators, drills, and skid steer loaders are other types of heavy machinery and equipment.

Track loaders designed with moving tracks rather than wheels are used in large-scale projects. Scissor lifts are ideal for use in warehouses or stockroom storage facilities. Telehandlers are also used in warehouses to move bulk material. Wheel loaders move dirt but can be equipped like snowblowers.

What are the risks involved in moving heavy machinery?

Without careful planning and execution, relocating heavy equipment can lead to dangerous scenarios. Workers moving the machinery are susceptible to crush hazards or being caught between the equipment. When moving the items from elevated platforms, falling is a potential danger.

The sheer size and massive weight of the machines pose serious risks of collisions. Electrical hazards, visibility limitations, and rollover accidents can occur without proper methods of transportation. Fire and explosion risks are possible when workers fail to abide by best practices for moving the items.

What are tips to safely move heavy machinery?

Tip 1: Perform a Pre-Move Assessment

Prior to moving the equipment, assess the machinery. Document the dimensions, weight, center of gravity, and requirements for disassembly. Equipment with electrical connections, fluids, or delicate parts must be carefully handled and secured, so identify potential hazards as a preliminary step.

Tip 2: Follow the Manufacturer’s Guidelines

Each piece of machinery comes with delicate components. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how it should be handled and transported. If the manufacturer’s information is unavailable, check with industry experts on best practices for lifting and moving the weighty items.

Tip 3: Create a Detailed Moving Plan

Moving heavy machinery requires developing a detailed moving plan. Prepare a step-by-step outline that factors in potential obstacles on the moving path, such as narrow doorways, low ceilings, or uneven floors. Once these risks are identified, formulate strategies to overcome them.

The moving plan should involve acquiring the necessary permits to haul heavy equipment. Approvals may alternately be required to transport the oversized loads. Make sure all resources are accessible; if not, obtain them as an initial part of the moving plan.

Tip 4: Disassemble the Equipment

Disassembly, per the manufacturer’s instructions, may be required prior to the move. If so, take ample photos of the components prior to disassembly to aid in reassembly. Disconnect hydraulic or electrical connections and seal fluid lines to prevent leaks. Safely pack all detachable components.

Tip 5: Choose Appropriate Tools

The right tools support the relocation process of heavy machinery. In contrast, the wrong tools complicate the process and lead to accidents or damage to the equipment. Select tools that are rated for the weight and dimensions of the machinery being moved.

Common tools used when moving large equipment include cranes, forklifts, and rigging gear. Cranes, for instance, are useful when lifting large, heavy items. Specialized rigging gear includes slings, chains, and hooks and should be suitable for the dimensions of the machinery being moved.

Tip 6: Secure and Inspect the Load

Properly securing the machinery with straps, chains, and other methods is critical for a safe transportation process. Without adequately securing the equipment and ensuring it matches the weight and size of the machinery, the load can shift, movement during transport leads to damage or accidents.

Straps and chains should be heavy-duty and rated to meet the dimensions and weight of the machinery. Prevent movement and tipping with braces. Once the equipment is secured, inspect the security of the load regularly and correct any issues before they lead to damage or safety issues.

Tip 7: Wear Safety Gear

Handling bulky equipment and machinery requires wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats, gloves, and steel-toed boots. Wearing safety gear minimizes the risk of injury. If accidents occur nevertheless, have an emergency plan in place to address them.

Tip 8: Monitor the Load

While transporting heavy machinery in accordance with the moving plan, unforeseen challenges or issues may arise. Be prepared to make adjustments as needed or as conditions change. Flexibility in the approach curtails accidents and keeps the move on schedule.

Tip 9: Hire Heavy Equipment Movers

Evaluate potential movers with experience moving heavy machinery. The right commercial moving company has access to the equipment, expertise, and insurance to handle transporting large machinery. Check references, ratings, certifications, and insurance coverage before settling on a professional mover or rigger.

Businesses that wish to simplify the process of relocating their heavy machinery and equipment can delegate this task to an experienced commercial moving service, like Chicago Office Movers. We’ve successfully moved heavy equipment and machinery for countless satisfied corporate customers.

As experts in heavy equipment moving, we are prepared whether you need to move one major piece of equipment or an entire assembly line. Our moving crews are trained, IOMI-certified and experienced, thereby assuring our customers a safe, efficient, and timely relocation.

Chicago Office Movers can also help your business disassemble and reassemble the machinery. Our movers are available to reconnect, level, align, and anchor equipment. With convenient services like these, your company experiences less downtime and can resume operations right away.

Short- and long-term storage options are available when your equipment must be stored. Our climate-controlled storage facilities are ideal for housing sensitive machinery. Once you need the equipment, our moving crews are available to deliver it to your new location.

The machinery movers at Chicago Office Movers meet the needs of corporations in Chicago, Illinois. From budget-friendly moves to equipment storage options, you can be assured of a seamless move from start to finish. Given our industry experience, we handle obstacles with ease.

Call our Chicago, Illinois, location at 312-244-2246 (CHI-CAGO) or fill out a form for a free estimate.

Employees rarely shy away from clean office chairs. It’s the chairs that harbor unsightly stains and unpleasant smells that make workers cringe. You can maintain a hygienic workspace and extend the life of the office chairs by keeping them clean with these eight practical tips.

Due to their high use by employees over the years, office chairs harbor a staggering number of bacteria. Some studies show that the furniture seats contain 21,000 germs per square inch. Several types of bacteria teem within office environments in general.

The bacteria staphylococcus aureus is found in office spaces where skin comes into contact with items, like chairs. Staff suffering from weakened immune systems have a higher risk of getting sick by pseudomonas aeruginosa, another common bacterium teeming in office environments.

When the office chairs are torn, it’s an ugly sight—but also a prime breeding ground for bacteria. Tiny microorganisms enter through the torn materials, making it difficult to clean the chairs. Bacteria delves deep into the cracks and scratches in office chairs, which makes them hard to disinfect.

Besides germs and bacteria, office chairs are littered with food crumbs and spilled beverages. The seating becomes soiled and stained, leading to offensive odors and an ick feeling. No one wants to sit in “that” office chair. Fortunately, office chairs can be adequately cleaned.

What are tips to clean office chairs?

Tip 1: Vacuum

A hand-held vacuum suctions out tiny food particles, lint, dust, and hair from the nooks, crevices, and cushion seams of fabric chairs. If the vacuum comes with attachment, it can be effectively used to remove the dust and allergens from the fabric upholstery.

Today’s office chairs can be complex to clean, with hard-to-reach corners and lots of parts. The tight areas may be inaccessible with a hand-held vacuum. In these instances, opt for a duster or a can of compressed air to clean out areas accumulated with dust and lint.

Tip 2: Launder the Covers

Chair cushions might come with removable covers. If so, remove the covers and toss them into a washing machine to be laundered. Use a cool wash cycle and mild detergent to lift existing stains. It’s recommended to check the manufacturer’s instructions on the label before washing.

Tip 3: Remove Stains

Dish soap is the ideal stain-remover. Mix warm water and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the stains, then scrub with a soft cloth. Lift stubborn stains by sprinkling baking soda over them followed with a spritz of vinegar. Clean off with cool water afterward.

For tougher stains, opt for an alcohol-based cleaner. Before using this more potent solution, test an inconspicuous area of the chair to ensure the cleaner does not damage the material. Apply a few drops of the alcohol cleaner and remove the residue with a damp cloth.

Tip 4: Wipe Down the Chair

The office may feature a series of mesh chairs, which are valued for their ergonomics and breathability. However, they must also be cleaned, since crumbs, dust, and dirt gather in the mesh fabric. After vacuuming, wipe down the mesh with a cloth dipped in soapy water.

Tip 5: Spray the Chair

An alternate cleaning technique for office chairs is to lightly spray them with a solution of lukewarm water and a few drops of dish soap. Avoid saturating the chairs with the solution, as it can soak through the insert and damage the furniture’s materials.

Tip 6: Use Specialized Leather Cleaners

Specially formulated leather cleaners are necessary to clean leather chairs covered in tough stains. Leather chairs without severe staining can be simply wiped down with a solution of water and dish soap. Clean out the tight spaces, like seams or cracks, with the help of a cotton bud.

Tip 7: Rinse and Dry

Once the chairs have been wiped down with the soapy solution, it’s important to follow up with a rinse. Dip a clean cloth in water and wipe away the soap residue. Use a second clean, dry cloth to wipe down the hard surfaces, such as armrests and chair legs.

Soft surfaces should be allowed to air dry after cleaning. If the newly cleaned chairs are urgently needed, remove the moisture by blowing a hair dryer on a cool setting over the damp surfaces. A wet/dry vacuum can likewise eliminate the lingering moisture.

Tip 8: Clean Regularly

Office chairs require vacuuming and a wipe-down once a week. When employees spill drinks, clean up the liquid right away with soap and water to prevent staining. A protective waterproof spray helps repel liquids. Keeping the chairs clean prevents having to deep clean often.

It’s important to maintain the office chairs with regular cleanings. Office chairs in good, clean condition are keepers when the company relocates to a new building. If a corporate move is on the horizon, choose Chicago Office Movers for exceptional office moving services.

We transport a range of office items, such as machinery, labs, libraries, cubicles, and chairs. Moving crews are licensed, background-checked, and experienced in safely handling office goods of all shapes, sizes, and levels of fragility. You can rest assured your possessions will be carefully transported.

Companies satisfied with their current location may instead opt for renovating their space. Chicago Office Movers is prepared to help you move, store, and install the furniture, fixtures, and equipment. We’ll work with you to tailor a plan so that you achieve your renovation goals.

Corporate customers benefit from our comprehensive services, including warehousing and decommissioning. Once you’re ready to retrieve your items from our secure storage space, our moving crews will safely deliver them to your facility and assist with any installation or assembly processes.

Chicago Office Movers is the number one commercial mover for local companies seeking highly efficient relocation services or professional assistance with decommissioning and warehousing.

Call our Chicago, Illinois, location at 312-244-2246 (CHI-CAGO) or fill out a form for a free estimate.

Branding is most recognized in a company’s marketing and advertising. But creative branding is also important to a business’s physical space. Colors, fonts, and logos create visual appeal in the office interior, spreading the brand message and core mission far and wide.

What is branding?

Whether the business is a small startup or an established corporation with worldwide recognition, branding plays an important role. Customers, competitors, and the community perceive the company through the unique lens of branding. Creative branding shapes their perceptions and sets the company’s trajectory.

A business’s identity is showcased through its name and logo, choice of design and colors, mission, core values, and tone. Other aspects of branding include the uniqueness of the products, the level of quality customer service, and even the pricing strategy the company employs.

The company’s creative branding extends to their office interior. Employees and visitors are given an inside look at where the creative juices start when they enter a business that has made the space their own. Staff also feel like a part of the team when the office is branded.

What are the benefits of office branding?

An office space with the company colors on walls, furniture, and décor improves employee morale. Brand visibility also increases among visitors who associate the visual intrigue with a positive experience. Office wall graphics can easily become backdrops for social media posts and other marketing.

What are creative solutions to branding issues in office interiors?

1. Showcase the Company Logo

A vibrant, updated logo with the company colors is the starting point for branding the office. The logo should be displayed prominently in the office building, ready to be viewed and appreciated by the visitors, partners, and staff who see it immediately upon entering.

2. Create a Branded Wall

Branded walls are achieved with the help of graphics. Easily customizable and installed, office wall graphics can be placed on the walls to create a focal point and simultaneously incorporate visual branding. Use the company colors and logo to create eye-catching designs.

3. Employ Zoning Techniques

Zoning techniques can be used to distinguish one office space from another. For example, install a tranquil ocean print on the lunchroom wall to promote relaxation. The meeting room might feature a frosted wall to promote privacy. Add visual intrigue to the lobby with abstract prints.

4. Reinforce Brand Identity with Décor

Gift office employees branded coffee mugs to help them feel they are a valuable part of the team. Consider distributing branded pens, soft touch notebooks, or custom sticky notes, too. Custom wall art also helps reinforce the brand identity, creating visual and emotional cohesiveness.

5. Revitalize the Space with Nature

A company that prioritizes sustainability might enhance their office branding with green practices. Living walls filled with plants showcase the company’s commitment to the environment, while adding vibrancy to the communal workspace. The company’s eco-friendly values and office interior immediately align.

6. Promote Company Celebrations

Custom infographics are an ideal way to inform employees about various company events, from new product rollouts to team-building trips. Branded images are effective when the business hits benchmarks or closes major deals. LED walls, SEG graphics, and glass clings deliver uplifting messages creatively.

7. Design the Interior with Branding

One of the best ways to enhance branding inside the office is to incorporate the company colors, fonts, and logos in the interior design. A company that sells guitars, for instance, might feature guitar-themed acoustic paneling on the conference room walls paired with fun, bright yellow chairs.

The headquarters of a coffee shop might infuse their office space with playful décor. For instance, the offices might be designed to look like the interior of one of their locations, with cozy chairs, coffee jar décor on the shelves, and the colorful company logo in the center.

8. Prioritize High Traffic Areas

Certain areas in the company benefit from more focused branding. The reception or lobby area, for instance, should receive red-carpet treatment, simply due to their high level of visibility. If meeting rooms are used frequently, ensure branding is front and center in these areas, too.

Proactive branding should be an integral part of every company’s interior office design. By utilizing the abovementioned solutions to creative branding issues, businesses show their employees, customers, partners, and visitors that they prize their team and the work they do.

Every inch of the workplace ideally reflects the company’s brand. The interior office itself, from the lunchrooms to the conference rooms and the lobby, should genuinely showcase the company culture. A thoughtfully branded space helps create a memorable brand experience for everyone.

When your office interior could use an upgrade, renovations may be necessary. Chicago Office Movers is ready to help you achieve your goal. Our office moving crews will carefully move heavy furniture, uninstall equipment, and move office goods to a new building so that your renovation can get underway.

In preparation for your exciting renovation project, our moving professionals pack and label boxes, clear out appliances and equipment, and pack the moving truck. Since we’re connected with organizations that accept or discard old furniture, we can properly eliminate unwanted possessions.

However, if your company intends to relocate to an entirely different space, Chicago Office Movers can transport your goods with our dependable corporate relocation services. We take care of the move from start to finish, including planning, packing, moving, and unpacking at the destination.

Business customers enjoy a wide range of conveniences. We offer short- and long-term storage options, add-on services and insurance and service contracts. Crews are licensed, trained, and background-checked to give you confidence. We’ll move your company locally, long distance, or internationally.

Chicago Office Movers is the preferred commercial mover for Chicagoland businesses. Our affordable rates, excellent customer service, and careful handling of your possessions earns us awards and high ratings. Schedule your upcoming corporate move by calling our Elk Grove Village, Illinois, office today.

Introduction

The Daily Herald Media Group (DH) is a media company that publishes newspapers in print and digital formats and provides marketing solutions.  The group is based in the Chicago suburbs and has been the main source of information for the local residents for over 150 years, offering a diverse portfolio of media and multiple ways to consume it.  The Daily Herald has moved their business four times with Chicago Office Movers over the past 30 years.  These moves were made to help the Daily Herald with growth, downsizing, rightsizing, selling of the printing division, and transitioning to remote work.

Client Background

There are two major factors at play for the most recent move.  The first is the sale of their Schaumburg location and all of their printing machinery at this location to the Chicago Tribune.  The Chicago Tribune will be doing all of the printing for the Daily Herald from now on.  The second factor is that the Daily Herald wanted to downsize their office space as employees transition to working remotely.  They still have a small office space in Schaumburg for meetings and similar purposes.

Specific Requirements

An important requirement for their move was for us to provide “paper” storage in our warehouse which includes their storage racking, past newspaper archives, banker’s boxes of files, and photos.  Our professionals packed, moved, and set up their paper storage so that Daily Herald employees could access this storage.

Challenge

This was a complex move that involved moving personnel and many pieces of equipment.  Dismantling and reassembling the storage in their facility and ours while keeping the archived materials in numerical order to be accessed by Daily Herald employees was our biggest challenge.  Daily Herald staff accessed the storage multiple times during the moving process.

The Daily Herald archive was stored in our warehouse for a year before moving it to their new Schaumburg location.  We also shredded some of their storage per their request, recycled the metal shelving units, and delivered the storage to their new location.

Personalized Services

Over the course of 3 weeks, we decommissioned the Daily Herald’s Arlington Heights location that consisted of two large buildings.  This involved selling excess furniture and modular workstations, recycling furniture, e-recycling, pulling out electrical wires, and maintenance such as cleaning, repairs, debris removal, and spackling.  All employee files were packed on library carts to be moved to the new location.

Implementation

The move was executed in multiple phases after meticulous planning.  Our Director of Commercial Sales wrote the work scope and served as the project manager for the move.  The client approved the plans, and we maintained direct contact with the client throughout the process to keep the move tight and on track.  We kept all parties on time by sticking to a strict schedule.

Special Care for Valuable Items

We used a Rigging machine, which is a specialized piece of moving equipment, to move a historic printing machine that weighs about 4 tons.  This historic printing machine is no longer functional but is an artifact of the industry that is on display at the Daily Herald’s new location.

Results

The client has worked with us for multiple moves and has always been satisfied with our services.  They have referred us to others who are looking for moving services, which has led to us booking additional moves.  They also continue to call us when they need additional services.

Conclusion

Chicago Office Movers can handle complex, multifaceted moves with care and precision, which is why each of our moves with the Daily Herald has been successful.  Our personalized services, meticulous planning, and direct communication facilitated a seamless move for the Daily Herald, underscoring the positive impact we had on their moving experience.

After relocating to greener pastures, launching a business in its new location is celebrated with an official ribbon cutting ceremony. Complete with giant scissors, bright red ribbon, and an elated business owner, a well-planned ceremony draws numerous eager guests, from the mayor to new customers.

What is the purpose of a ribbon cutting ceremony?

A brand-new chapter in the life of a business starts upon moving to a prime location. Once the company is settled, the next step is planning for the grand opening. The ribbon cutting ceremony brings awareness to the company’s new location and the goods or services it offers.

This major milestone can be leveraged to attract local media attention and new customers or clients. The business owner, business associates, and board members have a chance to thank employees and others involved in the forward momentum of their company. Use these nine tips to plan the ceremony.

What are tips for planning a ribbon cutting ceremony?

Tip 1: Choose a Milestone

A successful ribbon cutting ceremony must be planned in advance. One of the early steps is to decide what milestone the ceremony is intended to celebrate. Some are held once an important project is completed. Others occur when a new business launches.

Tip 2: Decide When to Hold the Ceremony

The timing of the ribbon cutting ceremony is also important. Hold the ceremony on opening day to draw curious crowds at the front door. Or opt for a soft launch, when the company throws the ribbon cutting ceremony a few weeks or months after the official opening.

Tip 3: Consider Invitees’ Schedules

Take into account the schedules of important guests. VIPs may be scheduled to speak at the ceremony, so consider their dates of availability. Event participants may be torn between the ceremony and another big event happening concurrently, making it essential to plan so everyone can attend.

Tip 4: Pick the Best Hours

The local Chamber of Commerce is a vital resource for determining if other ongoing events create a conflict. Then schedule the ribbon cutting ceremony during a time that’s convenient for most attendees, such as during noontime and afternoon hours when offices give employees breaks.

Alternately, weekends are practical for businesses that want more guests to attend and stay longer to explore their offerings. However, government officials won’t be available. Weekdays are advisable when the company aims to attract government officials and prominent local business people.

Achieve the best of both worlds by holding two separate ribbon cutting ceremonies: a weekday ceremony when the mayor, other dignitaries, and the local press are available to attend and, on the weekend, a grand opening celebration to attract potential clients.

Tip 5: Choose a Fitting Venue

Many ribbon cutting ceremonies are held onsite, at the place of business. But if that venue is too small to accommodate a long list of guests, invite a few people to the actual ceremony. Afterward, hold a reception for all other guests in a larger facility.

Tip 6: Prepare a Guest List

A business that reaches its pinnacle does not do so alone. Stakeholders, leadership, management, and employees contribute to its success. Prepare a guest list by consulting with staff members, from leadership to management. This step ensures no VIPs are omitted.

Besides sending personal invites to stakeholders, send invitations to local dignitaries who can help the business network with others in the community. These well-connected individuals may be government officials, such as the mayor, city council members as well as various commissioners.

Don’t forget members of the team who’ve helped the company achieve its milestone, such as employees, architects, accountants, various levels of management, and administration. Allow staff to bring one family member. Create buzz around the ceremony by inviting local media outlets.

Tip 7: Advertise the Event

Spread the word about the ribbon cutting ceremony through social media. An official company account can bring attention to the event as equally as local influencers. Hang posters and billboards with the date, time, and location of the ceremony. Send out press releases, too.

Tip 8: Hire Professionals

Food and refreshments are an important part of any event. Hire a caterer to serve foods that promote the business’s agenda, like nutritious appetizers during a medical facility opening. Enlist a company photographer to take high-quality photos for later use in social media and marketing campaigns.

Tip 9: Prepare a Speech

At the start of the ceremony, guests will expect to hear from the business owner. Prepare a short speech beforehand, one that evokes emotion from the attendees. A heartfelt speech has the ability to connect with audiences. Also hand out brochures or pamphlets showcasing the company’s offerings.

The tenth tip involves the most eye-catching part of the ceremony: cutting the ribbon. Find large ceremonial scissors at a party supply store. But before you plan a grand ribbon cutting ceremony, schedule Chicago Office Movers to help you relocate to your desired location.

As highly experienced commercial movers, we offer your business comprehensive relocation services. We cover every phase, from the planning to the packing and the unpacking. Extra conveniences are also available, including short- and long-term storage options, insurance contracts, and add-on services.

Our dependable crew of office movers has expertly handled a wide range of items, including precious antiques, bulky office furniture, fragile IT systems, sensitive electronics, and cubicles. We’ll deliver the highest level of care when handling your office possessions and transport them in our climate-controlled trucks for extra protection.

Working with Chicago Office Movers gives your company less downtime. Your employees have the opportunity to continue focusing on job-related tasks while we take care of the packing and transport. Satisfied customers that have relied on us include University of Chicago and Alcatel Lucent.

Choose Chicago Office Movers for your upcoming local, long-distance, or international corporate relocation. We offer budget-friendly moves and exceptional customer service. Be onsite for your next ribbon cutting ceremony by letting us help you relocate.

Call our Chicago, Illinois, location at 312-244-2246 (CHI-CAGO) or fill out a form for a free estimate.