Business Transformation & Site Closures
Phase 1
Planning & Strategy
-
Development of the full project organisational structure
​
-
Programme governance including Steering Committee, decision gates, escalation path
​
-
Definition of scope, timeline, budget, and key deliverables
​
-
Identification and alignment of all workstreams: Supply Chain, Planning, Customer Service, Quality, Procurement, Commercial & Sales, R&D, Communications, HSE, IT/OT, Finance, HR, Manufacturing, Data Management, Regulatory Authorities
​
-
Legal protocol identification and appointment of solicitors for closure process
-
-
Preparation of all legal documents (Management Decisions, Reconciliations, Social Plan, TUPE, etc.)
​
-
Internal and external communication of the proposed closure
​
-
Formal consultation with Trade Unions, Economic Committees, and Works Councils aligned to the statutory requirements of the relevant jurisdiction (UK, Germany or wider Europe)
​
-
Negotiations with Economic Committees, Works Councils, or Trade Unions aligned to the statutory requirements of the relevant jurisdiction
​
-
Conclusion of negotiations and termination agreement confirmation
​
-
Notification of labour authorities aligned to local jurisdiction
​
-
Scheduling redundancies to match site closure
​
-
Retention bonuses for key staff
-
-
Evaluate the technical, financial, and operational feasibility of relocation
​
-
Conduct risk assessments (HSE, compliance, regulatory, logistics, business continuity)
​
-
Prepare contingency plans for delays, equipment damage, or regulatory hurdles
​
-
Skills gap analysis at new site
-
-
Development of a comprehensive Asset Master List covering equipment, utilities, infrastructure, tooling, IT/OT systems, IP, and support assets
​
-
Asset condition assessment, certification review, and revalidation planning
​
-
Customer and supplier database validation
​
-
Approval of MTM (Make-To-Move) strategy
​
-
Confirmation of raw material and third-party supply arrangements
​
-
Manufacturing supply and purchasing plan alignment
​
-
Final production runs and stock completion
​
-
Confirmation of time required for final customer orders
​
-
Product, legal, and client validation protocols aligned to statutory requirements of the relevant jurisdiction (UK, Germany or wider Europe)
​
-
Data Management system migration planning
​
-
Confirmation of the Manufacturing stop dates
​
-
Detailed production wind-down scheduling, machinery and Product Portfolio relocation timelines
-
-
Notify authorities of plant closure, handle permits, environmental reporting
​​
-
Confirm regulatory requirements (HSE, Environment Agency, MHRA if pharma, ISO, ATEX, COMAH, DSEAR compliance)
​​
-
Align with customs, import/export, and VAT rules for cross-border machinery transfer
-
Phase 2
Closure of the Facility
-
Complete final production runs and stock
​
-
Freeze raw materials and WIP inventories
​
-
Identify products in progress for relocation vs disposal
-
-
Develop decommissioning and relocation schedule
​
-
Appoint closure team
​
-
Talent retention and knowledge transfer strategy
​
-
Map equipment, utilities, process lines, and critical infrastructure
​
-
Map Data Management system for migration aligned to statutory requirements
​
-
Centralise assets and define condition, certifications, and revalidation process
​
-
Plan disassembly, cleaning, decontamination, and preservation
-
-
HSE site preparation aligned to jurisdictional requirements
​
-
Notifications to local authorities aligned to jurisdiction
​
-
Utilities disconnection: electricity, water, gas, compressed air, process lines, IT/O
​
-
Data backup and disaster recovery testing
​
-
Full IT infrastructure replication and cybersecurity risk assessment
​
-
Contract termination and service cancellations
​
-
Waste management and environmental compliance
​
-
Final safety inspections and insurance sign-off
​
-
Site sale via local real estate agents
​
-
Rent new offices if business restructuring requires
-
Phase 3
Equipment Relocation & Logistics
-
Appoint contractors (Lift & Shift, HSE, CDM, Occupational Safety Act, Temporary/Mobile Construction Directive) aligned to local jurisdiction (UK, Germany or wider Europe)
​
-
Clean, sanitise, and package equipment
​
-
Label for tracking and installation
​
-
Preserve sensitive systems (HVAC, PLCs, robotics) in shock-proof, climate-controlled packaging
-
-
Select transport mode (road, sea, combined)
​
-
Ensure insurance coverage
​
-
Export/import documentation (machine certificates, CE marking, WEEE, ATEX, etc)
​
-
Dedicated customs agent coordination aligned to jurisdictional requirements
-
Phase 4
New Facility Preparation
-
Civil and utility works for new factory or extensions
​
-
Install utilities, HVAC, compressed air, dust extraction, and process piping
​
-
Prepare production areas, cleanrooms, and storage facilities
-
-
Unpack, assemble, and install machinery
​
-
Validate mechanical, electrical, and IT/OT connections
​
-
Integrate automation, SCADA, MES, ERP systems or other Data Management Systems
​
-
Test utilities and safety systems (fire suppression, ATEX, ESD, dust extraction and others)
-
Phase 5
Revalidation & Compliance
-
Conduct IQ, OQ, PQ as required
​
-
Verify product quality, reproducibility, and compliance
​
-
Update SOPs, risk assessments, and CAPA plans.
-
Phase 6
Operational Ramp-Up & Close-Out
-
Controlled production runs to confirm stability
​
-
Equipment performance, product quality, and compliance monitoring
​
-
Operational adjustments and optimisation
-
-
Operator and engineer training on relocated machinery
​
-
HSE, quality, and process SOP implementation
-
-
Resume full-scale production
​
-
Implement KPIs and continuous improvement metrics
​
-
Notify authorities for licences if applicable aligned to statutory requirements
​
-
Submit validation documentation and risk assessments
​
-
Complete audits and inspections
​
-
Customer validation where required
-
-
Align all business departments and Data Management System
​
-
Handover as-built documentation, validation records, and operational manuals
​
-
Archive regulatory and compliance documentation aligned to statutory requirements
-
90-day stabilisation monitoring, OEE recovery tracking, customer satisfaction, and financial reconciliation
​
-
Lessons learned review
-
Phase 1
Planning & Strategy
-
Development of the full project organisational structure
​
-
Programme governance including Steering Committee, decision gates, escalation path
​
-
Definition of scope, timeline, budget, and key deliverables
​
-
Identification and alignment of all workstreams: Supply Chain, Planning, Customer Service, Quality, Procurement, Commercial & Sales, R&D, Communications, HSE, IT/OT, Finance, HR, Manufacturing, Data Management, Regulatory Authorities
​
-
Legal protocol identification and appointment of solicitors for closure process
-
-
Preparation of all legal documents (Management Decisions, Reconciliations, Social Plan, TUPE, etc.)
​
-
Internal and external communication of the proposed closure
​
-
Formal consultation with Trade Unions, Economic Committees, and Works Councils aligned to the statutory requirements of the relevant jurisdiction (UK, Germany or wider Europe)
​
-
Negotiations with Economic Committees, Works Councils, or Trade Unions aligned to the statutory requirements of the relevant jurisdiction
​
-
Conclusion of negotiations and termination agreement confirmation
​
-
Notification of labour authorities aligned to local jurisdiction
​
-
Scheduling redundancies to match site closure
​
-
Retention bonuses for key staff
-
-
Evaluate the technical, financial, and operational feasibility of relocation
​
-
Conduct risk assessments (HSE, compliance, regulatory, logistics, business continuity)
​
-
Prepare contingency plans for delays, equipment damage, or regulatory hurdles
​
-
Skills gap analysis at new site
-
-
Development of a comprehensive Asset Master List covering equipment, utilities, infrastructure, tooling, IT/OT systems, IP, and support assets
​
-
Asset condition assessment, certification review, and revalidation planning
​
-
Customer and supplier database validation
​
-
Approval of MTM (Make-To-Move) strategy
​
-
Confirmation of raw material and third-party supply arrangements
​
-
Manufacturing supply and purchasing plan alignment
​
-
Final production runs and stock completion
​
-
Confirmation of time required for final customer orders
​
-
Product, legal, and client validation protocols aligned to statutory requirements of the relevant jurisdiction (UK, Germany or wider Europe)
​
-
Data Management system migration planning
​
-
Confirmation of the Manufacturing stop dates
​
-
Detailed production wind-down scheduling, machinery and Product Portfolio relocation timelines
-
-
Notify authorities of plant closure, handle permits, environmental reporting
​​
-
Confirm regulatory requirements (HSE, Environment Agency, MHRA if pharma, ISO, ATEX, COMAH, DSEAR compliance)
​​
-
Align with customs, import/export, and VAT rules for cross-border machinery transfer
-
Phase 2
Closure of the Facility
-
Complete final production runs and stock
​
-
Freeze raw materials and WIP inventories
​
-
Identify products in progress for relocation vs disposal
-
-
Develop decommissioning and relocation schedule
​
-
Appoint closure team
​
-
Talent retention and knowledge transfer strategy
​
-
Map equipment, utilities, process lines, and critical infrastructure
​
-
Map Data Management system for migration aligned to statutory requirements
​
-
Centralise assets and define condition, certifications, and revalidation process
​
-
Plan disassembly, cleaning, decontamination, and preservation
-
-
HSE site preparation aligned to jurisdictional requirements
​
-
Notifications to local authorities aligned to jurisdiction
​
-
Utilities disconnection: electricity, water, gas, compressed air, process lines, IT/O
​
-
Data backup and disaster recovery testing
​
-
Full IT infrastructure replication and cybersecurity risk assessment
​
-
Contract termination and service cancellations
​
-
Waste management and environmental compliance
​
-
Final safety inspections and insurance sign-off
​
-
Site sale via local real estate agents
​
-
Rent new offices if business restructuring requires
-
Phase 3
Equipment Relocation & Logistics
-
Appoint contractors (Lift & Shift, HSE, CDM, Occupational Safety Act, Temporary/Mobile Construction Directive) aligned to local jurisdiction (UK, Germany or wider Europe)
​
-
Clean, sanitise, and package equipment
​
-
Label for tracking and installation
​
-
Preserve sensitive systems (HVAC, PLCs, robotics) in shock-proof, climate-controlled packaging
-
-
Select transport mode (road, sea, combined)
​
-
Ensure insurance coverage
​
-
Export/import documentation (machine certificates, CE marking, WEEE, ATEX, etc)
​
-
Dedicated customs agent coordination aligned to jurisdictional requirements
-
Phase 4
New Facility Preparation
-
Civil and utility works for new factory or extensions
​
-
Install utilities, HVAC, compressed air, dust extraction, and process piping
​
-
Prepare production areas, cleanrooms, and storage facilities
-
-
Unpack, assemble, and install machinery
​
-
Validate mechanical, electrical, and IT/OT connections
​
-
Integrate automation, SCADA, MES, ERP systems or other Data Management Systems
​
-
Test utilities and safety systems (fire suppression, ATEX, ESD, dust extraction and others)
-
Phase 5
Revalidation & Compliance
-
Conduct IQ, OQ, PQ as required
​
-
Verify product quality, reproducibility, and compliance
​
-
Update SOPs, risk assessments, and CAPA plans.
-
Phase 6
Operational Ramp-Up & Close-Out
-
Controlled production runs to confirm stability
​
-
Equipment performance, product quality, and compliance monitoring
​
-
Operational adjustments and optimisation
-
-
Operator and engineer training on relocated machinery
​
-
HSE, quality, and process SOP implementation
-
-
Resume full-scale production
​
-
Implement KPIs and continuous improvement metrics
​
-
Notify authorities for licences if applicable aligned to statutory requirements
​
-
Submit validation documentation and risk assessments
​
-
Complete audits and inspections
​
-
Customer validation where required
-
-
Align all business departments and Data Management System
​
-
Handover as-built documentation, validation records, and operational manuals
​
-
Archive regulatory and compliance documentation aligned to statutory requirements
-
90-day stabilisation monitoring, OEE recovery tracking, customer satisfaction, and financial reconciliation
​
-
Lessons learned review
-
