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The food industry is one of the most demanding sectors when it comes to industrial relocations. Machines are heavy, production environments are hygiene-sensitive, and downtime costs money. Every hour a line is idle is an hour you are not producing. We know that. And that is precisely why Schoonacker Transport works differently.
With over 20 years of experience, Schoonacker Transport is an established name in industrial relocations, industrial transport, and machine handling. National and international, tailored to your organization. The food sector is one of the sectors with which we have been familiar for many years.
What makes the food sector so specific?
Not every industrial relocation is the same. In the food sector, a number of challenges converge that require a special approach. Firstly, food companies are bound by strict hygiene standards. When lubricating machines, you must use a lubricating oil with the “Food Grade” label.
These hygiene standards also apply to the materials and working methods of anyone entering a food production environment. The partner moving your machines must also comply with them.
Production lines in the food sector are often very complex and interconnected. Examples include packaging lines, refrigeration units, conveyor belts, filling systems, or pasteurizers. Relocating entire production lines, including conveyor belts and automated systems, is a delicate operation. The biggest challenge is getting the line operational again as quickly as possible to minimize production losses.
How does Schoonacker work?
An industrial relocation in the food sector does not start with a truck. It starts with a conversation.
Together with you, we map out the project: which machines, which dimensions, which connections, and which schedule? As a family business, we are very attuned to our customers' expectations. They want a complete project, and that is what we provide.
Next, we deploy the right people and the right equipment. Our specially trained employees transport everything for your company: complete laboratories, production lines, individual machines and process equipment, the contents of factory halls, entire warehouses, and so on.
Safety is paramount. To work safely and responsibly, we deploy a team of specialists. Our employees comply with all VCA standards and possess the necessary diplomas and certificates.
Which services do we deploy for the food sector?
Our specialized comprehensive package includes: dismantling and/or assembly, crane work, standard and/or exceptional transport, repair and/or removal of machinery, clearing of warehouses and factory halls, storage space, and earthworks such as soil reinforcement.
For this purpose, we have an extensive fleet of vehicles and machinery, fully tailored to heavy and sensitive industrial assignments:
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Forklifts up to 12 tons: movement of heavy food machinery and installations
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60-ton Pick & Carry cranes : handling of large or hard-to-reach installations
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Low loaders & semi-trailers: Transport of production lines over long distances
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Trucks with truck-mounted crane: Loading and unloading at locations without a loading dock or crane
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Aerial work platforms: for working at height within production environments
In addition, we have our own storage space to temporarily store your machines, and we can also repair them for you if necessary.
Regulations in the food sector: what you need to know
The food industry is one of the most regulated sectors in Belgium and Europe. This has a direct impact on how an industrial relocation is carried out.
Food businesses are required to operate according to the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system. HACCP guidelines help ensure food safety by analyzing risks in the production process and minimizing them as much as possible. If you produce, process, or transport food products, you are required to establish a food safety procedure based on the basic principles of HACCP.
When moving, this specifically means that you must pay extra attention to:
Hygienic working practices on the shop floor: external parties entering your production area must adhere to applicable hygiene standards. Individuals pose a serious risk regarding the spread of diseases. Hand sanitization and the disinfection of footwear upon entry are of the utmost importance.
Cleaning of machines before and after relocation: for cleaning machines and equipment that come into contact with foodstuffs, a HACCP-certified cleaning agent must be used.
Continuity of your quality system: a move must not interrupt the operation of your HACCP plan. The food safety plan lists the processes used for the receipt, preparation, production, packaging, storage, and transport of food products. Ensure that your moving partner understands this context.
Temporary storage: if machines are stored temporarily, specific hygiene requirements also apply to that interim period.
Schoonacker Transport is familiar with this context. We work closely with your teams to align the move with your quality procedures.
Active nationally and internationally
The food sector knows no borders. Production lines are being moved from Ghent to Germany, from Wallonia to Poland, or from a Belgian facility to a new factory abroad. Schoonacker has already executed projects in America, as well as in Spain, Hungary, Norway, France, and Germany. These often involve longer projects requiring the complete dismantling of machinery, transport, and reinstallation of the machines at the new workplace.
Whether it concerns an internal machine installation within your production hall or a complete international factory relocation: we owe our customers' satisfaction to our commitment, meticulous follow-up, damage minimization, and the dedication of our specialized personnel and specialized vehicle fleet.
Ready for your industrial relocation?
Are you facing the relocation of machinery, installations, or an entire production line? Then you have come to the right place at Schoonacker Transport. We bring the expertise, equipment, and people to ensure your project runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently. In every sector, at every location.
Contact us today without obligation . Together, we will discuss the appropriate approach and the best price-quality ratio for your specific situation. Because at Schoonacker Transport, everything revolves around one thing: ensuring your project runs smoothly and efficiently.