Plate heat exchanger
SKU: SSMIBRI1-00004399
Dairy Production
Dairy Plant Decommissioning, Dismantling & Equipment Resale
Closing a dairy processing facility or removing a production line is rarely straightforward. Equipment is connected through pipework, cleaning systems, utilities and controls. In an operating factory, dismantling work also has to fit around production and hygiene requirements.
SSMI helps industrial dairy manufacturers across Europe with plant downscaling, decommissioning and technical dismantling. We manage the removal of production equipment and assess surplus machinery for resale or reuse.
As part of Gerritsen Group, we can draw on additional specialist teams and resources when a project requires them.
Industrial dairy processing requires a different approach
A dairy factory is a network of connected processes. Milk reception and storage feed into separation, heat treatment, concentration, drying, fermentation or packaging. Cleaning-in-place (CIP) systems and shared utilities often serve several production areas.
Removing one installation can affect equipment elsewhere in the factory. Before dismantling begins, we assess the connections, access routes and removal sequence. We also establish which systems must remain available, particularly when neighbouring lines continue to operate. The aim is to carry out the work safely without creating avoidable disruption to the rest of the site.
Dairy plant downscaling & decommissioning
A change in production capacity can leave an entire processing line redundant. In other cases, a facility is being closed and the equipment needs to be removed from the site. SSMI supports both situations. Our teams handle technical planning, isolation coordination, dismantling, lifting and equipment removal.
The scope may involve individual processing installations, complete production lines or larger sections of a dairy factory. Where production continues, we plan the work around the site's operational requirements. This includes coordinating access, separating work areas and managing connections to shared services. We also consider the future of the equipment before removal starts. Machines intended for resale may need a different dismantling approach from installations being cleared for material recovery.
Experience from Friesland Campina Leeuwarden
The closure of Friesland Campina's condensed milk factory in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, is a relevant example of the capabilities available within Gerritsen Group. Surplus equipment from the facility included evaporation installations, pasteurisers, homogenisers, heat exchangers, tanks and packaging machinery. Gerritsen Group provided professional dismantling and loading services associated with the sale of equipment from the site.
The project brought together the practical requirements of a dairy factory closure: handling large processing installations, coordinating equipment removal and preparing machinery for its next destination. As a Gerritsen Group company, SSMI can draw on this wider industrial experience when preparing dairy processing projects.
Technical knowledge of dairy processing equipment
Dairy processing installations vary considerably between factories. A liquid milk line has different equipment and removal requirements from a cheese plant or a milk powder facility. Our project assessments take account of the machinery involved, its connections and the practical requirements for removal. Typical installations include:
- Milk processing: Pasteurisers, separators, homogenisers, heat exchangers and storage tanks.
- Milk powder and whey processing: Evaporators, membrane filtration systems, spray dryers and powder handling equipment.
- Cheese and fermented dairy production: Processing vats, fermentation tanks, presses and associated production lines.
- Utilities and cleaning systems: CIP installations, refrigeration, pumps, compressors, steam systems and process pipework.
- Filling and packaging: Filling machines, conveyors and end-of-line equipment.
For equipment with resale potential, we also consider accessibility, technical condition, documentation and whether components can be removed in a way that supports future reuse.
Working safely in hygienic production environments
Dismantling work inside a dairy factory must be carefully separated from active food production. Pipework and vessels may contain product residues or cleaning chemicals. Shared CIP systems, refrigeration and other utilities need to be identified before work begins. Access, lifting operations and the movement of equipment must also be coordinated with the site team.
SSMI works within the health, safety and hygiene requirements established for each facility. Our teams prepare site-specific dismantling plans, coordinate equipment isolation with the operator and organise removal activities around the conditions on site. This is particularly important when only part of a factory is being decommissioned.
The capacity of Gerritsen Group
Large industrial projects need the right people and equipment at the right time. The required capacity can change as dismantling progresses. SSMI is part of Gerritsen Group, alongside Speedrite and Numan Transport. This gives us access to additional specialist capabilities and resources within the wider organisation. We can adjust the scale of the project team to suit the work involved and coordinate the technical dismantling, equipment handling and transport requirements. Our European experience and access to local knowledge also help us work across different industrial sites and operating environments. For the client, the benefit is straightforward: coordinated execution with the capacity to respond as the project develops.
Used dairy processing equipment & asset recovery
A redundant production line does not necessarily mean the equipment has reached the end of its working life. Pasteurisers, separators, homogenisers, tanks, evaporators and other processing installations may still be suitable for use elsewhere, depending on their condition and specifications.
SSMI assesses surplus assets and identifies suitable routes for resale, reuse or material recovery. Equipment may be offered through direct sales or industrial auctions, depending on the project and market demand. Where resale is viable, we consider how the equipment should be dismantled, handled and prepared for transport. For buyers, we aim to provide clear information about available machinery. For factory owners, we look for opportunities to recover value from assets that are no longer needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dairy production line be dismantled while the rest of the factory remains operational?
Yes, if the line can be safely isolated and the work can be separated from ongoing production. Shared utilities, CIP systems, hygiene requirements and access routes must be assessed before dismantling begins.
Does SSMI handle complete dairy factory closures?
SSMI supports projects ranging from individual equipment removal to the decommissioning and dismantling of larger industrial facilities. The project scope is established after reviewing the site, installations and operational requirements.
What happens to the equipment after dismantling?
Equipment is assessed for potential resale, reuse or material recovery. Its condition, technical specifications, documentation and market demand help determine the most suitable route.
Can SSMI arrange dismantling and the sale of surplus dairy equipment?
Yes. We can coordinate technical dismantling with industrial asset recovery, so resale opportunities are considered before equipment is removed.
Does SSMI work on dairy projects outside the Netherlands?
Yes. SSMI supports industrial projects across Europe, drawing on the resources and experience of Gerritsen Group and local knowledge where available.
Discuss your dairy processing project
Planning a factory closure, reducing production capacity or replacing an existing processing line? SSMI can help assess the technical scope, organise the dismantling work and identify opportunities to recover value from surplus equipment.